Page 2 of Every Bit As Perfect
That fact sat like an infected splinter under my metaphorical skin.And not just because I thought he deserved better than to be gaslit by the chief bitch bimbo.
The ‘Brady Bunch’ was the trio of tall, blond, mean girls at school who never seemed amenable to giving me a break.
They left Noelle alone for the most part.Even when they didn’t, it didn’t faze her.Noelle only ever gave a shit about me, her brother Max, and my brothers, Hunter and Hawkley.
Especially Hawkley.
Besides, Noelle got so much male attention in high school, what did it matter if the Brady Bunch made snide comments every now and then?
She wrinkled her nose.“Ugh.If his taste was in his mouth, he’d be poisoned.”
“He deserves better.”I rolled my lips together.“Even if he is a sanctimonious arse at times.”
“He’s a really good guy,” she agreed softly.
Baby Hunter stretched, his tiny mouth turning down at the corners.
“Look, he takes after my brother!”I teased.
Blinking, he searched out his mom, a gurgle of happiness escaping his tiny mouth when he found her.
“Maybe he takes after you,” I murmured, my heart softening.
So much had changed in the past ten months.
Noelle moved home.
Hawkley found closure with Hunter’s death and returned to the land of the living.He’d even been known to smile occasionally now.
Hawkley and Noelle got married and had Hunter.
I broke up with Paul.
And found me again.
In some ways, after a decade apart, the original gang was back together.Except for Hunter.But even he was there in the shape of the gaping hole he left in my life.
My life was full.
But I felt lonelier than ever.
I tucked my baby finger into Hunter’s little fist.“Isn’t it amazing how tightly he grips?”
“It’s a survival instinct.”
“The first of many,” I murmured.“He’s going to wreak havoc with your sex life.”
“Cute little cock-blocker,” she whispered back.
“You did not just swear in front of my baby nephew.”
Noelle stared back at me; her lips twisted to the side.“Literally the first word he heard me say outside of the womb was motherfucker.”
I barked out a laugh.“I know.That story is legend now.”
“My boobs are leaking.”
I glanced at the expanding twin wet spots on her chest.“They are.What does it feel like?”
