Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 89083 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89083 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Carter
I drive around for a bit after leaving Teagan’s, trying to get my thoughts in order before facing my siblings and their well-intended, overly intrusive questions. I shouldn’t be disappointed by our conversation—by her caution—not when Teagan’s being the voice of reason that could very well save our friendship. But I am. I’m not sure I’ve ever wanted anything as much as I want to prove those sexy cotton panties wrong. Can’t touch this. I’m competitive at heart, and her damn underwear was issuing a challenge I was dying to win.
Before I walked in her door and saw her in those ridiculous panties, her long legs on full display and her nipples visible through her cotton shirt, I’d had myself convinced I was only there to talk her down from her panic. I’d apologize that we got carried away and maybe laugh with her over coffee to reassure us both that nothing about our friendship was broken. But my visit with Isaiah left me raw, pulled memories too close to the surface that I prefer to keep buried deep. One look at her messy morning hair and I knew the perfect cure for my aching heart.
I still want her, consequences be damned, and her kiss today could have so easily become something more. Does she want that? Would it be a mistake?
By the time I park in front of Brayden’s, I’ve had a chance to cool off and am ready to face my family. I’m a little late, so the sound of our weekly brunch chaos meets me at the door. The clatter of dishes is the musical accompaniment to my family’s laughter and conversation.
Every Sunday, the whole Jackson crew, plus or minus a few regular guests, meets at my childhood home for brunch. Brayden lives in the old house with his fiancée, Molly, and her son, Noah. He moved in years ago, when Mom relocated to Ethan’s to help take care of my niece. At the time, none of us were ready to see Mom sell the house that holds all our childhood memories . . . and all our memories of our father. Brayden held down the fort until it was clear Mom wouldn’t be able to move back in. He officially bought it from her last summer. Legally, it might be Brayden’s, but I don’t think any of us will ever stop thinking of it as our home.
I follow my nose to the kitchen and find everyone’s beaten me here. Ethan’s feeding Nic a piece of fruit, his eyes focused on her mouth in a way that makes me look away fast. Ava and Jake are cooing over their infant daughter while Lilly bickers with Noah. Molly and Brayden are at the kitchen table, looking at spreadsheets on his laptop—workaholics getting one more fix before the meal. At the counter, Ellie and Levi are pouring mimosas and laughing together over some whispered secret. Mom is handing out plates, encouraging everyone to eat up, and Shay is monitoring the coffee.
Typical Sunday.
Most of my adult life, the sight of this place—these people—has filled me with indescribable gratitude that soothes my soul and washes away any angst from the previous week. But lately, it’s been different. Maybe because all my brothers have fallen in love, and I’ve felt a little lonely. But it’s more likely because ever since Max died, I haven’t felt like I belong here. As if I’m playing at a life I don’t deserve to be living and any minute, someone is going to yank it away.
“It’s the man of the year,” my youngest brother, Levi, says, lifting his mimosa in the air as if to toast to me.
His girlfriend, Ellie, nudges him in the side. “Don’t be a dick.”
“Language!” my niece, Lilly, scolds, sounding just like my mom.
“Thank you,” Mom tells her granddaughter.
“You’d think these boys were raised in a barn,” Lilly says, parroting another one of Mom’s favorite expressions.
Lilly’s stepmom, Nic, bites back a laugh. “That was quite a show you put on last night,” she says, studying me. Nic’s known Teagan longer than the rest of us. They went to college together, and in a roundabout way, Teagan’s the reason Nic moved here to take the job as Lilly’s nanny. If anyone knows for sure how Teagan feels about last night, it’s Nic. But by the way she’s studying me, I can tell even she is wondering how much of an act it was. Wondering what happened between us after we danced together.
I turn to Shay, and my need for caffeine must be all over my face, because she shoves a steaming mug in my hands before I can ask. This is the third pot of coffee I’ve been in contact with this morning, but I’ve yet to manage more than a few sips.
“I smelled the stuff Teagan was making,” she says. “You should teach her how to make it my way.”