Page 18 of The Wild Card
I feelsoterrible. This whole time he knew me and knew I didn’t remember him. I’m going to blame his beard, which really does give him a different look. And my stress, for pushing me into a kind of fight or flight mode.
“Collin,” I start.
Then, I realize the significance of my brother and the Grahams being in this room without knowing the story Mr. Biceps—Collin—and I are spinning. They could wreck everything right now.
Collin seems to realize this at the same time. There’s a tiny widening to his eyes and then he grabs my hand, lacing our fingers as he stands and tugs me toward the confused group of our family members.
He hugs Chase first, and I hear Collin whisper, “You can punch me later.”
CHAPTER 5
Collin
Will mild-manneredChaseactuallypunch me later?
I’m not sure. But I’ll definitely be finding out. His narrow-eyed look as he sees me holding Molly’s hand sure does promise mesomethinglike retribution.
But I don’t miss the amusement in Harper’s eyes as she gives Molly a quick hug and murmurs loudly enough for me to hear, “I can’t wait to hear how this happened.”
While the room behind us erupts in murmurs and the sound of chairs scraping back, I make a quick round of hugs while pleading quietly for each of them just to go with it and I’ll explain later. A tall order considering I offer them no details. There isn’t time. I’m assuming my family is smart enough to get with the program—and quick.
Later, I can explain how this is just me helping Molly out. Surely they’ll understand.
I wish Winnie were here to soften James, but she and Lindy are the only two missing from this chaotic family intrusion. Myolder brother is the most likely to refuse to play nice. Good thing he’s also the least likely to speak up in a crowded room.
The glint in Pat’s eyes tells me he’s more than happy to go along with whatever this is.
And Tank, with Jo on his shoulders, looks way too excited to see me holding hands with Molly. I can already sense all the ideas taking root in his mind.
The poor man will be disappointed once he finds out this is not a real relationship. He’ll have to uproot the redwood of hope he’s currently fertilizing in his mind right now.
Molly drops my hand briefly to hug Chase. It looks like she’s giving him a whispered warning, but I’m not close enough to hear what she says.
I am plenty close enough to register the laser beams he’s shooting from his eyes directly at me.
Clearly, sending a text to my brothers with a picture of Molly and the unicorn along with a text saying,Look who I’m holding hostage,was a poor choice on my part.
Not the first or the worst choice I’ve made today. I should have considered the fact that my nosy family is all on a location-tracking app. I really need to turn that thing off.
Once hugs and whispered warnings have been given, I exchange a look with Molly. An understanding passes between us, one that feels eerily more intimate than it should given the fact that we barely know each other. She reaches for me, and I take her hand as though I’ve been doing it for years.
Together, we turn back to the room.
I clear my throat and locate my most winning smile. “Sorry about the interruption, folks. We Grahams don’t do things by halves.”
There are chuckles around the room, and before I can continue, my dad steps forward. With his wide smile and thelittle girl on his shoulders tugging at his hair, Tank’s got me beat in the charm department. Hands down.
“We truly didn’t mean to cause a scene. Just wanted to welcome y’all to Sheet Cake and let you know how happy we are to have Brightmark taking up residence in town.” He drops his voice. “And we’ll be happier once you’re fully set up in the superior part of town.”
He winks. People laugh. And I have a warped sense of envy for how winsome my dad can be. He could sell online courses on it. Though in all honesty, I’m not sure it’s transferable. Tank just has that specialsomething.
“We won’t keep you any longer,” he says now. “Thank you again for choosing Sheet Cake.”
There’s applause, like he’s given an acceptance speech, and I blow out a breath. Molly slips her fingers from mine and retrieves the unicorn from its chair, holding it out to Jo.
“I believe this is yours,” Molly says, smiling. “You’re Jo?”
Dad swings Jo down from his shoulders to his arms so she can take the massive purple unicorn. Jo beams at Molly, who beams right back.
