Page 13 of Always Mine

Here we go. “Lily has plans. I do not. Where is she anyway?”

“She’s outside with your dad and Bryan. She has a show jumping competition in Liberty next weekend so she’s practicing.”

“Yeah, and you better be there,” Lily announces, and I spin around to see her clunking her way into the kitchen with her bright pink cowboy boots.

What the hell?“What in the world are you wearing?”

“You like ‘em?” She smirks, giving her leg a little shake in my direction.

I don’t know iflikeis the right word. “They’re… something. Very bright.”

“I know, right?” she agrees, with too much excitement.” I love them. They're so much better than the boring brown ones.”

“Guess I’m boring, then.” Dad comes in, kissing Ma on the cheek.

Bryan follows, not even looking in my direction. Guess he’s still mad at me. “Naw, she’s just lost her mind,” he grumbles. “Her and all the other girls at our school.”

“And some of the boys, too,” Lily chimes in, snagging a piece of bacon from my plate before plopping down beside me. “We should get you some pink boots from town.”

I eye the bacon she’s shoving into her mouth and remind myself she’s only sixteen—still a child. She better be glad for that, because I don’t care if she’s my sister. I will fight over bacon.

“I think I’ll pass on that, thanks.” My voice comes out growly as I watch her chew and swallowmybacon.

“Boring,” she groans. “You’re gay. Aren’t you supposed to be the fun one?”

I’d laugh if the comment wasn’t so atrocious. She doesn’t mean any harm, but I still feel the need to correct her assumption. “One, I’m bi. Two, don’t stereotype people. It’s rude.”

“Oh, please. Lighten up. She didn’t mean anything by it,” Bryan throws in, and my eyes shoot to where he’s leaning against the counter.

Hey to you, too.“I didn’t say she did.” My tone’s curt, unable to hold back the aggravation I feel.

“Your tone said otherwise.” He’s holding my gaze, challenging me for some reason. What the hell? I know our relationship has been a little rocky, but he’s looking at me like we’re enemies.

Did I miss something?

“There was no tone,” I grit out, turning to Lily and giving her a genuine smile. She didn’t do anything wrong, and I don’t want her to think she did. “You know I wasn’t trying to be a dick, right?”

“Language.”

“Sorry, Ma.” I shoot her an apologetic look and focus back on my sister.

Lily waves her hand, clearly not bothered—like Bryan seems to be. “Don’t listen to him. He’s an asshole.”

“Lily! Language!” This time it’s Dad who speaks and the whole room goes quiet, giving me flashes of my childhood. Well, everyoneexceptmy sister, who apparently has bigger balls than I ever will.

“It’s true, though.” She sighs, snagging my half-eaten piece of toast, which I was just gonna eat.

I reach over, snatching the toast back and stuffing it all into my mouth before she can protest. She sticks out her tongue, and I do the same, not at all caring that my mouth is full.

“Lily,” Dad scolds, causing both of us to face him. He doesn’t look amused, and if I was her, I’d be under the table trying to hide.

She gives a little shrug, gazing at Dad with her big blue eyes. Ugh, there's the look. The one that always gets her out of trouble. It used to piss me off, but as an adult, I’m envious of it. The things I could have gotten away with…

“I’m just saying—”

“Enough,” Ma cuts her off, getting up from the table. “I’m going to get my purse and head to the truck. Don’t kill each other.”

Gee, thanks for the interference, Ma. “Where are you going?”

---