Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 31869 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 159(@200wpm)___ 127(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31869 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 159(@200wpm)___ 127(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
Jude laughed.
Ty tilted his head to the side. “What’s that supposed to mean? What did I do?”
“It means the both of you are nothing but trouble.”
“Well,” Jude commented around his first bite of food, “I guess it’s a good thing that I’m never getting married, then.”
I scrunched up my nose. “Why do you say that?”
“Because I’m just not the commitment type.”
“That’s because you’re not even trying to have a relationship with someone. I mean, you can hardly stick to one woman for more than a few weeks.”
“Love just isn’t for me, Win.”
A shocked laugh jumped from my throat. “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard anyone say.”
“Why is that ridiculous?” Ty asked.
“Because most people reach a point in their lives when they want love. It’s a human need.”
“Not sure if you’ve noticed, Win,” Remy chimed in, “but the Winslows don’t exactly have good luck with shit like marriage and love.”
My eldest brother’s words took me back a step. “What are you talking about? I’m married. I’m in love.”
“Yeah, but look what happened to Mom,” he responded with a knowing raise of his eyebrow. “Dad just up and left her with five fucking kids.”
“Aunt Paula and Uncle Brad,” I challenged. “They’ve been happily married since before you were born.”
“They’re an exception.”
“Okay, if they’re an exception, then what am I?” I placed a defiant hand to my hip, and Rem just grinned.
“Another lucky exception,” he answered. “Although, you didn’t exactly have an easy start either, if you know what I mean. Nick put you through hell.”
“Yeah, but if I’d given up after dealing with Nick’s bullshit, I never would’ve met Wes.”
But when no one responded, I looked around the room at all four of my brothers, and I was downright stunned to find that all of them appeared to agree.
But not with me. With Remy.
A humorless laugh popped from my lungs. “Wait…all four of you assholes believe this crap?”
Flynn shrugged. “Well, sis, I’m forty, and I’m still single. And Rem is forty-two and still…single.”
“I’m thirty-eight,” Ty added with a knowing grin. “Still single.”
“Thirty-six here, sis.” Jude pointed to himself. “Still very happily single.”
“Hold up…you mean to tell me there’s zero hope for any of you bastards to give me nieces and nephews? Or Mom more grandkids?”
“Unless Jude accidentally knocks someone up,” Ty commented on a chuckle. “Yes, that’s exactly what we’re telling you.”
“This is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard, and I’m pretty sure you should all seek therapy.”
“Been there, done that,” Rem commented. “But that’s par for the course when your fiancée leaves you at the altar.”
I couldn’t deny that my eldest brother had taken quite the blow back in the day when he’d actually been in a happy, committed relationship. Though, that relationship—almost marriage—had fallen apart in a glorious blaze of fire on his actual wedding day.
But I hadn’t really considered the possibility that, between our dad leaving and Remy getting his heart torn out of his chest in front of all our nearest and dearest, it had left some serious scars on not just him, but all of my brothers.
“Basically, love is a bitch that I don’t fuck with,” Jude said, and I looked across the counter at him. “In fact, I avoid her at all costs.”
“You say that like you’ve never been in love.”
“Because I haven’t.”
“What?” My jaw dropped. “You’re screwing with me.”
“Nope.” He shook his head, and I hated how serious his eyes were. “I’ve successfully avoided heartbreak.”
“That’s so…sad.”
“Why is that sad?” Ty questioned.
“Because…” I paused and tried to find the right words. “Because…if I would’ve had the same mind-set as you, I would’ve missed out on Wes. And he’s one of the best things that has ever happened to me and Lexi.”
“I’ll be honest, sis. Wes is probably one person that I would marry,” Jude stated. “I mean, he owns the fucking Mavericks. And I’d have a lifetime guarantee of box seats for every game.”
“Oh my God, you’re such an idiot.”
Jude just smiled at me, his face all smug, and before I could stop myself, sisterly instinct took over. Without even thinking it through, I reached out and snagged half of his pancakes with my bare hands and threw them directly in his face.
“What. The. Fuck?” he questioned on a surprised laugh, and his eyes met mine. “You didn’t just do that.”
“Oh, but I did.”
“I can’t be sure, but it kind of sort of feels like our baby sister just declared war,” Ty stated and stood up from his chair.
“Don’t even think about it, Ty,” I said, but the instant I saw him take a handful of pancakes into his hand, I dove down behind the counter and onto the floor on a squeal.
And since I was no longer a possible target, when I heard Rem shout, “You fucker!” I knew that he’d been on the receiving end of Ty’s pancake-throwing.