“Nope. Just me and Jordie. Oh, and that red-headed cashier down at the Piggly Wiggly.”
“Nora?” I shriek. “She’s the biggest blabbermouth in Pine Tree Falls.”
Xander chortles and tugs at my braid. “Kidding. You know Holly wouldn’t tell Nora shitbecause she, and I quote,has the lusty eyes for Bubba.”
I nod. “It’s true. Bubba danced with her once in seventh grade and she’s been in love with him ever since.”
My brother pushes off the counter and pulls open the refrigerator to pull out a bottle of water. “So, did you meet any cute unicorns you could introduce me to?”
Propping my hands on my hips, I ask, “How did you know about unicorns?”
Xander shrugs. “The internet. I follow a cool couple called The Impulsive Duo on Insta. They’re all about providing proper education on the lifestyle. They even have an app called Unicorn Landing, which is a safe place for women in the lifestyle to get more information and resources.”
I nod thoughtfully. “Is that something you’re interested in, Xan?”
He tilts his head from side to side a few times and swigs his water. “I dunno. Maybe. Depends on if my future wife or husband would be into it.”
I smile at that. My younger brother is very open-minded about sex. He does gravitate toward women most of the time, but he’s had a couple boyfriends.
“I met a lot of really nice people at the resort. I understand there are places that are a bit wilder if you’re into that, but… I don’t know… Pineapple Island seemed like one big family. Even though I’m not in the lifestyle, they never made me feel like an outsider.” I steal Xander’s water and take a sip. “And they didn’t pressure me to get involved just because it’s somethingtheylike. It was a pretty chill atmosphere.”
Xan bobs his head up and down. “That sounds cool. Maybe I’ll go when I’m no longer a broke-ass college student. I could be a bull.”
My eyebrows knit together. “Do I even want to know what a bull is?”
He grins, and there’s a bit of wickedness in it. “It’s a man who plays with a couple. He’s usually very well-endowed, and I do have a really big—”
I cover his mouth with my hand and point to the front of the house. “Out. Now.”
He responds by sticking out his tongue and licking my palm. With a noise of annoyance, I pull my hand away and wipe it on his shirt.
“You asked,” he points out, still smirking at me.
“I did not ask about your penis size, Xander James,” I scold, pulling out the middle name for effect. “I’m open to most any discussion with you, but talking about your manhood is off-limits. Boundaries, bro.” Then I quickly add, “Unless you have an STD or erectile dysfunction and need me to take you to the doctor. You can always come to me about health issues, okay?”
That makes him laugh, and he pulls me forward with his long arms. “God I adore you. You really are the best big sister.”
I hug him. “I totally am. Now scoot on out of here. I need to unpack and take a shower.”
He pulls back, his face serious now. “I mean it, Jules. You’re always there for me, and I appreciate it. Having you was better than having a mom.”
Then his sweet moment is gone, and he pokes me in the side with his index finger, eliciting a yelp from me. “You need a good spanking, Xander James,” I call at his retreating back.
I’m met with a chuckle. “Don’t threaten me with a good time, Jules. Lock the door behind me.”
Shaking my head, I lock up when I hear his truck roar to life outside and replay his comment aboutbetter than having a mom. It makes me sad and proud at the same time. Sad that my siblings grew up without a mother but proud that they grew up so well adjusted despite that.
As a teenager, I’d attempted to step into the mother role for the little ones because I thought that’s what they needed. Until my fathers sat me down and informed me that being Xander and Jordie’s mom was not my job. Then they went with me to Dr. Hough’s office, and she explained about parentification and how it’s not a good situation for anyone involved.
Dad and Pops assured me they could handle parent duties and I should focus on being a good big sister and a female role model for theyounger ones. And that’s what I’ve always tried to do. Even when I was asked to babysit as a teenager, I was paid just like Pops or Dad would have paid anyone else. I realize now how important and valued that made me feel.
With a sigh, I decide to tackle my suitcases, opening the small one and sorting my dirty clothes. When I unzip the larger one, I freeze at the sight of a white box with a pretty bow on top.I didn’t put that there.
My fingers tremble when I pull out a card nestled beneath the bow and flip it over. I know who it’s from before I even see his handwriting.
Think of me when you use these. I hope we can use one together one day.
Love,
