My oldest brother turns his glare on Cannon. “Your lawyer is responsible for all this?” He looks around the room incredulously. “So, you’re all in on this?” I flinch when his heat sweeps over me. “Well, thanks for keeping me in the loop.”
“He’s our brother, Walker. You don’t expect us to help?” Eli is no angel but I want him home where at least, we all know that he’s safe.
“The guy caused this family a world of hurt with his bullshit. He abandoned his kid. Broke our mom’s heart. Tarnished the family name.” Walker huffs. “But by all means, let’s throw a fucking fiesta for the prodigal son.”
“Language,” Dad grumbles, glancing around for Callie.
Walker isn’t done ranting yet. “Eli needs to learn his lesson, he needs to serve his time. Otherwise, he’ll just continue this crap.” He towers above us all when he rises to his feet. “And next time, he’ll steal from one of us.” On that, Walker storms out.
“This is why we didn’t tell you, by the way,” Cannon hollers after him.
Despite everything, I understand Walker’s point of view. He’s a former military man. Honor. Principle. Those values matter to him. Sometimes more than pure blood does.
“I’ll go talk to him,” Penny tells us, her eyes apologetic as she stands from her chair.
Mom smiles gratefully. “Thanks, Penn. You’re the only one who can get through to him when he’s in this mode.”
After my brother’s grumpy departure, it takes a while for the tension to dissipate but I make an effort at cracking a few jokes to keep the mood light.
Iris cuddles up next to me for most of the game. At one point, I glance her way and notice a sweet, contented look settled on her face. When I turn to see what she’s looking at, I find my mom perched on my dad’s lap. They snicker and giggle together like frigging teenagers, while their recliner teeters dangerously.
“They’re cute,” Iris whispers into my neck, making me shiver.
“They’re…something.”
I try to imagine me and Iris together like that at my parents’ age. Yeah, I could totally see that…The thought makes me smile.
My gaze catches on Lexi’s. My sister-in-law is giving me this really weird look. This isn’t the first time I’ve found her glaring at me today. I’m not sure if she’s constipated or if she’s giving me the stink eye. But based on how protective she is when it comes to her friends, I’m guessing it’s the stink eye.
I get where she’s coming from. She doesn’t want me to hurt her best friend.
I mean, I’m not trying to hide anything. If I was, I wouldn’t have my hand halfway up the back of Iris’s T-shirt. She and I have basically given up most pretenses at home. We spend most of our days together and sleep tangled up in the same bed every night. But we still haven’t sat down to discuss what’s happening between us. That discussion is long overdue.
Either way, it’s clear that Lexi is onto us. And Cannon. And my Mom. Christ.
The Paragons score again, widening their lead over Miami. My family hoots and hollers.
“I bet Maxwell’s excited to have you back, huh?” Cannon asks, as my team kicks the extra point.
I’m grinning. “Yeah, he’s pumped. Hell, I am, too.”
My brother’s eyes stay on the TV. “They’ve had to rely on their running game without you, and that’s been hell to watch.”
I sip my drink and nod in agreement. “It’s been painful.”
“When will you be released from the injury reserve list?” Dad asks me.
“Not sure yet. Probably in the off season,” I say. “As long as I’m on pace to be a full participant at pre-season camp next year.”
The mere idea makes my muscles vibrate. I’m ready to sprint down the field and catch one of Maxwell’s bombs. It seems like years since I’ve stepped foot under the blinding lights of an ear-splitting stadium.
It’s funny how slow time moves when you’re waiting for something good.
But then my gaze falls on the woman tucked into my side. She looks at ease, happy, as she raptly absorbs the action on the screen. I have to admit that this wait hasn’t been all that bad. Actually, in some ways, it’s been amazing. I never want to relive the injury that brought me down, but I realize that if I had the choice, I wouldn’t not do it again.
Because all these events have led me here, back to Crescent Harbor, and right into Iris Merlini’s arms.
42
Iris
Let’s go somewhere.” My fingers play in the hair at Jude’s nape. I stare amorously at him from the passenger’s seat.
“We did.” He captures my hand and brings my knuckles to his lips. “We’ve been hanging around my annoying family all day.”
I laugh and it sounds happy, unrestrained, even to my own ears. “They’re no more annoying than you are, trust me.” I flash him a grin. “Let’s go out. Grab a drink. I’m just not ready to end this day yet.”
Usually, I’m a homebody. I prefer hiding out in my humble abode than mingling and socializing. But tonight is different.
This thing I’m feeling tonight, it’s not a feeling I’m used to. I feel light, open, free. I feel…in love.
Gosh, it’s terrifying admitting it to myself. Because I don’t even know how I got here. All I know is being with Jude gives me wings and I want to spread them and go on an adventure with him.
He tilts his head, weighing my suggestion. “You sure you don’t just wanna take me home and have your way with me?”
I roll my eyes and try not to smile. “You’d better believe I plan on having my way with you tonight. But first, I wanna dance.”
He makes a big show of releasing a sigh. “Fine. Frosty Pitcher it is, then.”
I settle into my seat and turn up the volume on the sports commentary coming through the speakers. Jude tends to get very creative with his insults, so listening to him hurling disses at his radio is an unconventional form
