Page 74 of Before You
“Sorry, you didn’t have to hang up on him,” I say, making my way toward the door, but Mirabelle darts in front of me, stopping me in my tracks.
“What’d you just take?”
“Tylenol,” I answer smoothly. “Is it a crime to have a headache?”
Lies. I’m lying through my fucking teeth and she knows it.
Mirabelle tilts her head, crossing her arms over her chest. “Is your knee bothering you? You weren’t wearing your brace last weekend.”
I roll my eyes, but the truth is, it’s never not bothering me. Whether it actually hurts or I’ve tricked my brain into thinking it does, I’m always reminded it’ll never be the same as it was.
“Mira, let it go. I’m fine, call your fiancé back,” I say, trying to play it off, but Mirabelle is the one person who might know me better than I know myself.Why did I think coming up here was a good idea again?
“Why don’t I believe you then?”
“If there was a problem, I’d tell you.”
She purses her lips, shaking her head. “No, JJ. I don’t think you would.”
Mirabelle’s bluntness doesn’t often catch me off guard, but this time it does. I blink, staring at her in surprise.
“Then do me a favor and pretend I’m fine like I do, so I don’t give our parents another kid to worry about,” I say, nearly choking on the words as they come out of my mouth.
“JJ—”
“Hurry up. Everyone’s waiting,” I mumble under my breath, moving her out of my way to retreat downstairs where the sound of laughter greets me pleasantly. I avoid Mirabelle’s watchful stare, hoping she won’t say anything in front of our parents.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Marley
I ADORE JJ’S family. His parents have an interesting dynamic, but it’s obvious how in love they are. It’s crazy how much each of the Walker kids resemble their parents—I mean, yes, I look like my mother with my father’s sun-kissed complexion and blue eyes—but there is zero doubt who gets their striking features from whom. JJ looks so much like his dad, and his brother is the spitting image of his mother. I knew Mirabelle was beautiful from when she followed me on social media, but now I’m wondering if she’s even human because it’s really not fair to look so pretty after spending five hours on a plane.
Everyone was really nice and welcoming, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I have even more questions about Bailey than I did before. I’m just not sure if there will ever be a right time to ask them.
JJ seemed off last night, but Mirabelle appeared to be the only other person who noticed based on the way I kept seeing her eye him throughout dinner. JJ didn’t say much to her which seems highly unusual given the way he’s previously talked about their relationship, and I’m not sure what to think of it. Everything seemed fine at the airport, but after JJ came back from going upstairs, it was like the energy between them changed when she followed behind him.
JJ seemed to relax as the night went on, but I didn’t get a chance to ask him about it last night because he looked like he might fall asleep while walking me to my car at the end of the night. I don’t think he slept much the night before, but I’m not sure it was possible after Trent showed up in the middle of the night, so I’m hoping he was able to rest after I left.
I woke up to a direct message from Mirabelle asking if I wanted to get breakfast with her this morning, and while it was one thing to be alone with her for five minutes at the airport, after last night, I’m not sure what to expect.
I beat Mirabelle to the local diner known for their cinnamon rolls, grabbing a table in the corner while I wait for her. It’s only a few minutes before she walks in wearing a maroon hat, but it’s the large man behind her who pulls everyone’s attention to them. He pulls his hat lower, ducking his head as Mirabelle smiles at me, heading our way before anyone can approach them.
“I’m sorry, Henry wasn’t supposed to get in until after breakfast, but he caught an earlier flight, so I hope it’s okay he’s joining us,” Mirabelle says, smiling apologetically as she slides into the seat across from me.
“It’s fine,” I say, giving him a little wave. “I’m Marley, it’s nice to meet you.”
“Sorry for crashing your breakfast,” he says, the corner of his mouth ticking upward into a ghost of a smile. I almost wish he didn’t have the hat on so I could see the differences in his photo for the league Bria showed me and in person. Either way, I can tell he’s handsome just by the way he holds himself.
“No problem, but we might need to order more cinnamon rolls,” I say and Mirabelle chuckles.
“Absolutely,” she agrees, nodding as Henry rolls his eyes.
“I’ll just get a coffee, but feel free to pretend I’m not here,” he says, his voice a rich, deep rumble.
“No, you’re less grumpy when you’re not hungry, and we’re going to a football game today with my family. You’re delusional if you think you won’t be recognized, and I’d prefer if Stacey didn’t add more things to your schedule to make up for any negative press today,” Mirabelle says, leveling her fiancé with a look causing his face to blanch.
“Extra cinnamon rolls please,” he says, tapping his fingers on the table.
