Page 67 of Beneath the Stands (Sugarlake 2)

I turn my head and lose my breath. Lee is gawking in the doorway to the kitchen. My heart presses against my ribs with every beat, my throat thick with emotion at seeing my baby sister.

She’s so damn grown up.

I clear my throat, smiling so wide, I almost convince myself I’m not scared half to death. “Baby sis! About time you got here. Pops and I were about to start in on all of your embarrassing stories.”

It’s not true. In fact, Pops hasn’t brought her up a single time, other than when Chase mentioned her. Something dark and foreboding tingles across the back of my neck, making the hairs stand on end.

Lee jerks out of her frozen state, eyes flicking toward Chase before she sinks into a chair at the head of the table.

“Eli,” she breathes. “I thought y’all weren’t gettin’ here until Friday.”

“We decided to come early. Not excited to see me?” I chuckle to hide the confusion of my thoughts. I thought Pops said he told her.

“Just surprised is all.” She nods toward Sarah. “Big city life make you forget your manners, Eli? You plannin’ on makin’ any introductions?”

The smile drops off my face, the guilt tossing my stomach because honestly, I forgot Sarah was even there. Too caught up in my own shit to remember she’s the reason I’m here in the first place.

To get married.

And to, hopefully, close this chapter of my life once and for all.

Sarah introduces herself, but I don’t listen to what she’s saying. I’m too busy trying to take in Lee. Her posture is slumped like there’s a heavy weight on her back, and I wonder how long she’s been carrying it.

Lee’s eyes shift to me. “Speakin’ of weddin’ details, I’m just gonna give y’all Becca’s number so you can call her yourself.”

My shoulders stiffen. Her name is a shot of adrenaline, my heart slamming against my insides. I had asked Lee to see if Becca could pull some strings, guarantee the church for us in time for the ceremony. I had hoped if she did it for me, I wouldn’t have to face Becca in the flesh. “What? I don’t want to do that, why can’t you just talk to her for me like I asked you to?”

“For one thing, Eli, I’m not your dang slave. For another, I did ask her and she wasn’t exactly responsive.” Lee’s face scrunches, her head cocking to the side. “What happened with you two, anyway?”

My stomach twists and turns, her words knocking against the chained up parts of my soul—the parts I keep shrouded in darkness—trying to set them free.

My hand reaches out, squeezing Sarah’s thigh, hoping her presence can anchor me enough to keep me in control. She’s always there, silent but steady. Surface level and just what I need.

“Nothing important.” My words are sharp, and I feel them all the way to my bones. It’s true. No matter how important I thought it was, she proved me wrong the second she ran away.

Fuck her.

She’s nothing to me now. And if I see her, I’ll make sure she knows it.

33

Eli

They say parents aren’t supposed to have a favorite, but I’ve known that was bullshit since the day Alina May Carson was born and I was pushed to the side. I was three at the time, so I don’t remember the moment it happened, but the feeling snuck its way inside me and never left. Hard to forget something when you endure it every day.

Pops’s eyes would light up at the mere mention of Lee’s name, his cheeks growing rosy, and a smile splitting his face while he gushed about his girl. Maybe if I were a better brother—a better man—it would be easier to ignore the bitterness that festers as a result. What I wouldn’t have given for Pops to look at me that way, just once.

Suffice to say, I’m a bit in shock after witnessing the way their relationship has eroded.

Dinner’s long since ended, the dishes soaking in the sink, the smell of freshly brewed coffee in the air. It’s strong enough to invade my senses, but not enough to mask the animosity pouring from across the table as my sister penetrates me with her steely glare.

We never had much of a relationship, even as kids. I was a shit brother, I’ll be the first to admit it. The only thing I could see was ball. Every second of my life was commandeered by the love of the game, and the need for Pops’s approval.

“You want to go with us tomorrow, Lee? Help me show Sarah the town?” I smile at her, hoping she’ll see the olive branch for what it is.

Lee chokes on her coffee, sputtering. “I can’t. I have to work.”

My heart pinches at her refusal, but I don’t show it. Tapping my head, I force a lopsided grin. “Right. It’s so strange to see you grown. Sometimes I forget.”

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