Page 12 of The Biggest Sacrifice

“Tom.” Adam halts the conversation.

Glancing at my brother, I see him giving me the look to cool it. I know they all like this new guy. But not me. I don’t like him and I don’t have to. He’ll be moving on soon, anyway.

“You should take a few days. You’re back early, aren’t you? Chief Hunter will let it be for a while. Plus, Cash is still on payroll. You’re fine.”

Ignoring Adam, I continue eating. Sitting idle isn’t for me and they all know it. I have no idea why they’re on me to relax.

“At least take tomorrow off. We’re going out tonight.” Billy claps me on the back.

“Mooses?”

“Where else? Al has been waiting for you to come home.”

“Are the girls allowed to come?” Adley asks and looks pointedly at Billy. I’ve been watching their interaction all night. To me, it seems like they’re together. It almost feels like Farrah and I, before I left. But there’s a tone to her voice, so something is off. I’ll need to talk to Billy about this.

I like Adley. She’s a spitfire like Billy. They had a thing a while back. I’m the only one who knew about it. When Chelsea moved back, Adley came with her to help take care of Dominic, and her and Billy became the coupled-up singles at all our nights out. I know he’s sleeping with her, which may be why she has the tone. Knowing Billy, I’m sure he did something to piss her off.

“Yes, of course the girls are allowed to come.” I jump in, then look at Farrah. “You’ll come out, right?”

Her eyes swivel to me. She’s been very quiet throughout this whole dinner.

“Sounds fun, we’ll go!” Cash answers for her and my body locks up. Billy must see it because he cuts right in with a question.

“Mom, you’re good to watch the babies, right?”

“That’s a lot of babies to watch.” Chelsea replies. “I’ll stay home. You go, babe.” She nudges Adam.

“No. Absolutely not. I raised all these monsters,” she sweeps her hand around the table,“ I can surely deal with my sweet grandchildren for one night. You all go out and have a good time. I want you all to be together tonight.” My mom has spoken and that’s that. This is her wheelhouse. The more the merrier in her mind. Which is exactly why she’s pushing for all of her kids to go out with their significant others.

She’s hoping for more babies tonight.

A grin forms but it feels more wishful than anything. I could see it, with Farrah. But she wants the traditional way of doing things and I’m the furthest thing from that.

“Looks like we’re getting wild tonight!”

CHAPTER 7

FARRAH

After cake with the twins,who wore most of it, and a quick cleanup to help Chelsea, I’m at Francesca’s borrowing her miniskirt, tank and black heels with the red bottoms. They cost more than my monthly paycheck at the school, but she insisted I wear them tonight.

“We’re going to make my brother regret ever getting on that plane.”

“Stop. Seriously. I’m fine. I’m over it. I’m glad he’s home, but it’s not going to work out how you think, Chess.”

“And why not? I see it on his face. He knows he screwed up. And seeing Cash with you? Yeah, he’s not happy, and he’s going to work to make it right.”

I don’t want to burst her bubble, but he’s not. We’ve gone too long with nothing but silence. I know Billy told me to hold on, but no offense; I didn’t want to hear it coming from Billy.

I needed to hear it from Tom.

And I didn’t hear those words. Not once.

Cash has been a wonderful friend to me. The girls all think he likes me, and he does. He’s told me so. He tried to get me to forget Tommy, and I’ve had to shut him down, but he knows my heart lies elsewhere. We’ve now come to an understanding, and Cash has slid into a friend role, almost an older brother figure. But seeing Tom back here? I know Cash is becoming protective of me. He doesn’t like that Tom left the way he did. He doesn’t know him like I do, and I’m also a little embarrassed that I’ve shared what I have. I never want to paint Tom in a poor light, but I was so mad when he left. And it helped to talk to someone who was an outsider.

“Girl, you look amazing. If my brother doesn’t right his wrongs tonight, he’s an absolute jackass.”

“I’m not jumping into bed with him on his first night home.”

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