Page 103 of One Touch

My heart sank.

Despite how cold and out of place it was, the Miller beach house now held more happy memories than sad, thanks to Beckett. It was where we had spent time exploring our relationship, and each other. Inside its walls held first kisses and whispered secrets and soft, satisfied moans. A place where we once laughed and talked about everything and nothing.

And now, another part of us was gone, sold to someone else.

I tried to keep the disappointment off my face and pretended to be interested in Aunt Tootie’s latest story, but my thoughts kept drifting back to him.

I missed him so much my chest physically ached.

I looked back at Lee and attempted to shift the conversation to more neutral territory. “I’ve been thinking about ways to get back at the Kings for putting peanut butter under your door handles.”

A wolfish grin spread across his face. “Excellent.”

“Can I help?” Penny shouted across the table.

“No,” Lark and Wyatt called out in unison.

“Crisco.”

Our heads turned toward Dad, who was frowning down at his plate.

“What’s that, Dad?” I asked.

“Crisco all over the car windows. Can’t rinse it off. Makes one hell of a mess.”

Lee grinned and pointed his fork in Dad’s direction. “Yes.”

I laughed and gently shook my head. It was childish, sure, but I was thankful the rivalry seemed to find its footing in playful pranks rather than breaking and entering. Since moving back home, Tootie hadn’t had any suspicions about people trespassing, though we had asked the local police to make an extra round or two down her street.

I knew deep down there was more to the Sullivan–King rivalry than petty pranks, and I would continue digging. If anything, it helped keep my mind off the ache that permanently resided in my chest.

After dinner, we all gathered in the living room to exchange gifts as Elvis crooned holiday music in the background. My brothers teased me about beingInstafamous, but I laughed it off, not wanting to reveal my heartbreak to them.

I desperately tried to focus on the joy of the moment, the warmth of the fire, the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree, and the happiness of being surrounded by my family again.

“You’re awfully pretty to look so glum.”

I looked up to see my dad smiling down at me. “Thanks, Dad.”

I patted the seat next to me, and he settled into the plush sofa. I leaned my head against his strong shoulder. “I’m not sad.”

His chest shook with a laugh. “Always were a shit liar. You remember that time you took Tootie’s car for a joyride and broke an axle right before prom?”

My eyes flew to his, and my mouth popped open.

“Well, I know Wyatt took the heat for it, but I’m not as dumb as I look.”

“How did you...?”

Dad grinned. “Like I said, you’re a shit liar.” He nudged my shoulder with his. “You’re also a good eight inches shorter than your brother, and I picked up the car from the impound. No way in hell he could have fit behind the wheel with the seat pushed up like that.”

A slow grin spread across my face, and the tingle of laughter tickled my belly. Wyatt had covered for me after I had called him, bawling my eyes out, and sure my plans for the perfect prom would be ruined. All this time we’d thought we had actually gotten away with it.

“So tell me, darling. What ails you?”

I sighed. Moments like this with Dad felt fleeting and precious. He deserved my truth. “I’m in love, but we’re trying to work out some things first. It’s ... complicated.”

He let out a frustrated sigh. “Shouldn’t be that complicated. Love is the simplest thing in the world. If that Miller boy has his head up his ass—”

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