Page 115 of Playbook
“Nothing.”
“Bullshit. You’ve got something to say, so say it. You were right. Is that what you want me to say? Fine. You were right. She’s great, and I really like her.”
“That’s not it. It just seems like you changed your mind really fast. A week ago you were sure you weren’t ready and now you want to take her home to meet the family? I like London. I like her for you. But you don’t need to rush things.”
I tamp down the unsettling feeling of being the problem child of the relationship so early. Am I already fucking this up?
“I’ve never felt like this about anyone.”
“I believe you and I’m stoked, but taking her to Valley is a big step…”
“You don’t think I’m good enough for her?”I ask the question I’ve asked myself about a dozen times since last night.
“The fuck I don’t.”He stands a little taller. “You’re the best guy I know. Hands down. No contest.”
“Then what?”I ask, not sure I want the answer, but needing to hear it anyway.
“Have you told her anything about your parents?”
“She doesn’t need to hear about that bullshit.”I scowl at him.“Have you told Wren all your family drama?”
He makes a face that confirms my suspicions that he hasn’t. His jaw flexes and he briefly looks away.
“We aren’t defined by our parents,”I tell him. “Except your mom. The rest don’t have any bearing on who we turned out to be.”
“Don’t you think we should be able to share that stuff with someone though? Don’t you want to?”
“No.”I don’t even have to think about it. “It’s in the past.”
“Is it? What about Sabrina?”
“I haven’t heard from her since the letter,”I admit.“And the last thing London wants to hear is that I have some fucked-up person claiming to be my sister so she can get paid.”The idea makes shame and anger swirl in my gut.
Archer’s voice drops.“Like it or not, our experiences have made us who we are. You’re a great fucking guy. You shouldn’t need to hide any of that from her.”
Easier said than done. Talking about it puts me right back in that place. I don’t want to hide it from her as much as I just want to forget about all of it.
I do also hate the look of pity when people know my situation. Luckily, I’ve been able to keep it mostly to my small circle. When I say that the Hollands are my family, I mean it and people don’t question it. I know I’ll never be to them what they are to me, but that’s okay. They have each other, real brothers, and I’ll never be that. How could I?
The bonds between family, real family, are different. I believe that even if my own experience proved otherwise. But Archer and his brothers have been there for me every time I’ve needed them. That’s enough for me.
I’m still thinking about it when London gets to the apartment. She’s holding a bottle of champagne and looking sexy in jeans and a black tank top. And just like that, the last thing I feel like doing is talking about deadbeat parents and family dynamics.
“You’re late.”
“I brought booze.” She holds up the champagne.
I take it from her and then loop an arm around her waist and drag her into the apartment. I drop my mouth to hers and kiss her hard.
She’s breathless when I pull back. “Wow. Maybe I should have mentioned it’s cheap booze.”
Laughing, I take her hand in mine. “Around here, it gets drunk the same way.”
I stop in the kitchen and drop off the bottle before leading her down the hall. “I want to show you something.”
“Is that something, you naked?” Her laughter tinkles and echoes in the narrow space.
“Make that two things I want to show you.” I walk to my room and step in, flipping on the light.
