Page 20 of Home Tears

“Excuse me?” Kate asked in disbelief. “Do you not see yourself? You’re gorgeous, Aiden. You know the one girl who is so beautiful that she’s above scrutiny from anyone else? That’s you.” She snorted. “Thank God you’re nice. Otherwise you’d be a bitch.”

“Oh, please.” Aiden rolled her eyes.

“Dani.” Kate looked to her. “Tell me that you agree.”

“Kate’s right.”

Aiden snorted, gesturing to her. “Have you looked in the mirror, Dani? You’ve got one of those stunning serene looks that make men just drool. Literally.” Aiden stuck out her tongue. “I’m not like that.”

Bubba wrapped his arms around his wife and murmured something in her ear. Aiden blushed and turned to whisper back.

Kate shook her head, a fond smile lingering over her mouth as she watched the married couple. It was evident how close everyone was, and Dani had a feeling this conversation had been brought up a few times.

Finishing his drink, Robbie stood up, and asked her, “Dani, what do you drink?”

“Nothing. Not tonight, anyway.”

“Come on. That’s why we’re at the beer gardens. Fair only comes once a year.” Kate held up her glass. “You know my drink.”

Robbie gave her a similar fond look that she’d just been wearing, and he took her glass. “Only a few more, then you had too many.”

“Come on. I’m off-duty tonight.”

“Are you ever really?” Dani teased, but she caught sight of Jake finally coming inside. He was looking around the place, his jaw clenched and he was moving stiffly. A stiff Jake never meant good things. And when he reached behind him, his hand extending to someone else, she let out a quiet breath of air. A knot started to tighten in her stomach. “On second thought, I’ll take a whiskey.”

“Alright.” Robbie nodded his approval before disappearing in the crowd.

Stilts whistled. “You have changed, Dani.”

“Says the one who never knew you.” Kate barked out a laugh.

But Dani was still watching Jake and after a moment, a feminine hand touched his. That’s when Dani knew for sure—Julia hadn’t gone to some clinic for the weekend.

“Hey, Dani.”

Kate was saying something to her in the background, but a buzzing sound filled Dani’s head. She felt the blood draining from her face. She knew, but she hadn’t, not until she actually saw her sister step inside. Julia was thin before she left, but she looked even more now. Her cheekbones, nose, and chin were similar to Julia Roberts’. It’d been a laugh in their family, because of the similar names. It was maybe a bit more pronounced since she’d lost some weight. She was wearing a white cardigan, with a billowy skirt and white top underneath.

As Dani studied her sister, Julia pulled the ends of her sweater closed. A normal person might’ve assumed she was cold from that gesture, but Dani knew better. Julia was guarding herself. That cardigan was like her armor. She did the same when they were children, always needing something to cloak her. Dani used to think it showed her insecurity, but that never mattered. Julia would slink to the background and whisper her complaints in Erica’s ear. Erica was larger than life. She had no problem doing whatever she wanted, wearing whatever she wanted. Julia was almost the exact opposite. She was too controlled.

Dani was staring right at her sister. She got a few moments to study her before everyone else realized what two presences were among them. A second hush fell over the room, and her sister looked up, her eyebrows pulled together. She glanced to Jake, then followed his gaze all the way to—Dani readied herself. She knew it was coming.

Julia saw her. Her eyes widened, and her chest rose in a jerking motion.

Both sisters stared at the other.

“Oh,” Kate murmured.

Aiden laid a hand on her arm. “Dani.”

Dani wasn’t sure what she was supposed to feel. This was a moment that was supposed to be lived in infamy, but all she felt was emptiness. Gone. Ten years past, and it was like she never left. The same derision and superiority lined her sister’s shoulders, making them straighten as she stood to her fullest height.

Anger filled Julia’s eyes. She whipped around to Jake, and her hand lifted. She was shaking it in the air, in sharp quick motions.

Jake tugged her closer. His hand was in the air too, but he was making a soothing movement. When he bent his head down, then snuck a glance to Dani from the corner of his eyes, she went into motion. They were talking about her. She could already imagine it. Julia was saying, “How could you? Why is she here?” Like her own sister was a dog to her, underneath her, asking for her crumbs.

Dani pushed through the crowd. “Oh no, you don’t.”

Julia snapped to attention, and her eyes widened, seeing Dani still covering the distance between them, and coming in fast. She looked panicked, but Dani didn’t care. It was going to happen sooner or later. Dani’d rather have it done now. She wanted a fight.

---