Page 113 of Never Again (Never Blue)

Tali

I woketo the sound of a basketball bouncing off the front of the house and an empty bed. My stomach was crampy and roiling a bit when I sat up, which made me lie back down. I’d only had a couple glasses of wine last night—enough to loosen up, but not enough to be waking up with a hangover.

Epic timing. I rubbed my stomach, listening to the basketball bounce. I had a lot to do today. Nina hadn’t gone full-on bridezilla, but I still needed to be with her, at her beck and call.

I finally dragged myself out of bed and peeked out the window. Jude was out there, shirtless, with Gio and Mike, and Mike’s twelve-year-old son, Frankie, playing two-on-two on the driveway. The basketball hoop that hung over the garage was old and rusty, but it still worked. Jude had spent the night in my bed, but he must’ve left with the sunrise, otherwise I didn’t think my brothers would be so keen on playing a friendly game of basketball with him this morning.

Jude, shirtless and a little sweaty, had me perking up, ready to face the day. Seeing him laughing with my brothers and nephew had me smiling and my heart flipping in my chest. The connection between us tugged, and I wanted more than anything to go down there and press my face against his throat, smell his scent, feel his warm skin, but I let him have his moment with the boys.

Once I showered and dressed, I went downstairs, finding the four of them plus my dad at the kitchen table. Jude pulled me sideways onto his lap and kissed my cheek.

“Morning,” he murmured.

“Good game?” I asked.

“Yeah. Frankie and I wiped the floor with them.”

Gio slapped the table. “A lot of elbows were thrown.” He pointed at Frankie. “And I don’t trust this guy. He’s got a look about him, you know? I think he’s juicing.”

Frankie laughed, loving the attention from his uncle. “Yeah,orangejuicing. Don’t be a sore loser, Uncle Gio.”

They kept talking trash while Jude and I spoke in low voices.

“Are you going to be okay with me leaving you alone with these goons?” I asked.

He grinned. “Yep. Can’t wait to see you in your hideous dress.”

“I’m going to head out then.”

His arms tightened around me. “You didn’t eat.”

“My stomach is being weird. And the smell of Frankie’s eggs is making me nauseous. I’ll grab something at Nina’s.”

His face turned concerned. “Are you sick?”

“Maybe, I don’t know. I’ve been feeling a little funky for a few days.” I kissed him quickly to reassure him. “I love you. Save a dance for me, okay?”

“All the dances.”

Nina and Lydia’swedding took place in a small garden behind an art gallery in the town where they lived. I stood next to Nina as she said her vows. Her dress was beautiful, white and gauzy, while mine was...green. And shiny.

But it wasn’t my day, and she was deliriously happy, marrying a wonderful woman and officially becoming Rose’s stepmom. Nina had been mellow all day as we got ready, but right before the ceremony began, she’d grabbed my hand.

“What if I’m making a mistake?” she’d asked, her eyes wide.

“Why would you ask that?”

“I’ve made a lot of mistakes.”

I took her in my arms, holding her for a beat before pushing her away. “Stop. Stop right now, Neens. You know full well you’re not making a mistake this time. You’re scared because it’s so good, you think it might betoogood. But you and Lydia have worked to make it this good. It wasn’t magic or chance. What you have is because the two of you made it that way. Don’t let the ghosts of your past sneak in today.”

She sucked in a deep breath and nodded, eyes narrowing. “Did you just manage the hell out of me?”

“I did. Now, go marry your hot fiancée and stop being dumb.”

A laugh burst out of her. “Fuck you.”

I curtsied in my ugly green dress. “Glad to be of service.”

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