Lexi and Cannon share a glance. “I feel like you’re hiding something.” She squints at me, struggling to read my expression through her ‘merlot-colored’ glasses.
“You’re imagining things.” No, I’m not above using her mild inebriation to my advantage. I have zero intention of admitting what I’ve been up to. Especially not in front of Cannon. I’m not sure how he’d feel about me digging around in his brother’s business.
Cannon relaxes into his seat and changes the topic. “So, how’s it been going, working for Eli?” He’s right to be curious about my work conditions after witnessing me and my employer going toe-to-toe on the porch a few days ago.
Reluctant to bad-talk my boss, I twist my lips to the side. “No comment.”
“He’s being his most charming self, I’m assuming.” Cannon laughs. I must be making a face because his expression softens with sympathy. “Working for him is that bad, huh?”
Lexi flips into ‘overprotective big sister’ mode. “Boss or not, don’t you let him walk all over you, Jessa. You make sure to put him in his place.”
“Well, I can’t exactly be going around, mouthing off to him,” I say despairingly, “I like having a roof over my head, a bed to sleep in, clean running water, things like that.” Inwardly, I recall my two recent confrontations with my boss, one of which resulted in me pinned up against a wall, a heartbeat away from stripping the infuriating man out of his bath towel. Things are spiralling out of control in that house. I turn my attention to Cannon. “Was he always so…grumpy?” I ask.
My brother-in-law shakes his head. “Nah. He used to be a really happy guy. A family man. His whole world revolved around his wife and kid.”
“Were you two close?” I ask, folding my legs beneath me in my chair.
“There’s always been a petty rivalry between us. Growing up, we competed over everything. I guess we were too close in age.” Cannon chuckles wistfully at his admission. “But I can tell you this—my brother is a good man. A good father. He adores his little girl. Yes, he made an idiot mistake that landed him in jail and right now, he’s suffering the consequences of that, but I think that essentially, he’s good. Despite everything he did.”
“So you actually think he did it?” I scrunch up my nose. “You think he did all those bad things they accused him of?” I hate how naive I sound. Still, I feel compelled to ask the question.
My sister’s husband shrugs. “He pled guilty, Jessa.”
“I know…” I chew on my lower lip. “But I mean…don’t you ever just wonder…”
Cannon gives me a helpless look. “He’s my brother and I’d like to see the best in him but, what can I say?”
Something inside me deflates as I collapse back in my chair. “I know…but still…”
Lexi leans forward and squints at me, her expression scandalized and amused at once. “Oh my god! You like him! You like him!”
Cannon pinches the bridge of his nose and mutters, “Oh boy…”
My sister bellows out a laugh. “Jessa, you naughty, naughty girl.”
Her man clamps a hand over her mouth and gives her a stern glare. “Listen, woman. If you wake our sleeping child before I finish having my way with you, I swear you’re the one who’ll be getting a spanking tonight.”
She wrestles his hand off of her face and pins me with big, eager eyes. “So…you gonna spill the beans or what?”
“Okay, fine,” I hiss. “I have a thing for him. It’s not a big deal.” My gaze flickers briefly to a wary-looking Cannon. I’m mortified to be having this discussion in front of Eli’s younger brother. I feel the need to justify myself. “I don’t expect him to reciprocate my infatuation. Hell, he doesn’t even have to like me. But at this point, I just want some respect out of the man.”
I’m undeniably attracted to Eli. I don’t mind his rough edges. In fact, I kind of like them. But I’d never act on my feelings, especially after reading his most recent letter to Monica. Besides, I’m getting sick and tired of him being a jerkwad to me, putting me down and making me feel inept. I do a damn good job with Callie and she likes me. I’m an educated woman with a good head on my shoulders and I don’t deserve this mistreatment.
My sister shakes her head pityingly. “Oh, honey. The Kingston men can be stubborn, surly, ill-mannered jerks.” When she says that, her husband pinches her in the ribs. She giggles and bats his hand away. “But I’ll let you in on a little secret—you’ve got to show them your backbone.” When I raise a doubtful brow, she continues. “Stand up to Eli. Show him that you won’t be pushed around. And then, you’ll have him eating out the palm of your hand.” She grins confidently and nuzzles against her man’s chest.
Tittering, I turn to my brother-in-law, “Is that true?”
Cannon smirks up at his wife. He grabs her wrist, turns her hand over and playfully nibbles on her flesh. “I’m eating out the palm of her hand. And I’m loving every second of it.” He throws me a wink.
Alexia leans down and friskily bites her guy’s neck. He groans and his eyes roll into his head with pleasure.
M’kay—I think I’d better get this conversation wrapped up before clothes start flying.
I bring the discussion back on course. There’s a burning question that’s been on my mind for a long time and I’m not sure I’ll ever get another chance to ask Cannon. “So, why do you think he did what he did?”
The man shakes his head slightly. “I…I can’t say for sure. Honestly, it was something none of us saw coming. The day he got arrested, the whole family was in shock.”
My mind filters through the information I uncovered in my research. I can’t help but
