Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 76759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
He puts it back in the box and hands it to me.
He doesn’t look happy.
I take the belt buckle, turn it over, and—
Now my jaw drops.
With lots of love, Brianna
“You want to explain that, Pike?” Donny demands.
I open my mouth, but words don’t form, until finally, “I don’t have an explanation.”
“Something going on with you and my sister?”
This time, the whole family’s jaws drop in unison. It’s almost comical.
“What’s it say on the back?” Maddie grabs it from me, and her eyebrows shoot right off her forehead. “Oh my God…”
Mom grabs it from her then. “Brianna? Brianna Steel?”
None of us know any other Briannas.
“Jesse…” Dad says. “She’s so young.”
I shake my head vehemently. “You guys are all looking at me like you think I know what this is about.”
Except for that one kiss we shared… That was over a week ago. I haven’t seen Brianna since then. Rory and I have been busy working with the band, coming up with our repertoire, and making tweaks in the music and choreography.
Donny is glowering at me.
“Give it a rest, Steel,” I finally say. “That’s my sister you put a ring on.”
He says nothing. How can he? I’m a hundred percent right.
“When was she over here?” Donny says finally. “Someone had to leave it.”
“She’s been here several times.” Maddie rubs her jaw. “We’ve been talking about the trip. But I’ve always been with her. I would have seen her put it under the tree.”
Donny rises. “I’ll find out what’s going on.”
Callie pulls on his hand. “Donny, no. This isn’t your business.”
“The hell it’s not.”
Callie pulls Donny back down beside her on the sofa. “It’s not. Your sister’s a grown woman. This may not even be from her.”
“You know another Brianna?”
“Does that even matter?” Callie asks. “You guys are assuming this gift has some hidden meaning. It could just be a thank-you gift from Brianna to Jesse for agreeing to let her come on the tour.”
Yeah. That must be what it is.
Except… If that’s the case… “Then why didn’t she get you anything, Ror?”
“Everybody knows you’re the leader of the band,” Rory says.
But from the looks on their faces, not one of them is buying that explanation either.
Only one thing to do. I’ll have to go see Brianna. I can’t do it today. It’s Christmas Day. Family day.
But then I see Donny still glaring at me, and I know I have to go see Brianna and question her about this. Because if I don’t? Donny will do it for me, and that won’t be pretty.
“Nothing will be solved in the next half hour,” Mom says. “So everybody get in the kitchen. I’ve got our breakfast all fixed.”
Mom makes us eggs Benedict every Christmas. Something her mom used to do, and it’s a tradition that I’m sure Callie and Rory will continue with their families.
Fine. But this afternoon—once I’m positive all the Steels are up, dressed, and showered—I’m paying Brianna a visit.
I’m not sure what this is about, but one kiss doesn’t mean anything.
Even if her lips were the sweetest I’ve ever tasted.
Chapter Seventeen
Brianna
“What do you think?” I ask Diana as I twirl around my bedroom in the dark-red pleated halter dress she got me.
My sister’s eyes beam. “I think it looks amazing on you, just like I knew it would.”
“You’re one of the only people who knows how to pick out clothes for others,” I say. “I was always surprised when you went into architecture. I figured you’d be some kind of fashion designer or something.”
Diana shrugs. “I considered it, but fashion is so fleeting, you know? If I want to be remembered, I need to design something that will be around for a long time.”
“Buildings will be around for a long time, for sure.”
“Yes, if they’re designed and built right. Which mine will be.”
I have no doubt of that. My sister’s a genius. She always got the best marks of all four of us kids. Straight As all the way for Diana Steel.
Everyone’s always had a soft spot for Diana. She was the first girl born into this generation of Steels. My parents adopted Dale and Donny first, and when Aunt Marj married Uncle Bryce, she adopted Henry. Then Uncle Joe and Aunt Melanie had Bradley. So four boys, and then Diana.
She was doted on for sure.
Then came Brock, Ava, and Dave, all in a row. My parents and aunts and uncles used to call them Huey, Dewey, and Louie because they were the same age and always together.
Then the awesome foursome, again, nearly all in a row. Gina, the twins, and me.
That’s the end of this generation of Steels.
It’s amazing that we’re going to have a new generation soon, with Dale married and Donny, Brock, and Ava well on their way.
“I’m going to take this dress to Europe.”
“Are you sure?” Diana touches the fabric of the skirt. “It’s more of a summer dress. The UK in January can be vicious, I’ve heard.”