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“Wow,” she breathed, placing her hand on her hip and staring out the door into the yard. “I’m sorry, James. I had no idea she’d treated you that way. All this time I’d figured since she always gets touchy when I mention your name, it had been you that hadn’t pushed for more.”
“Always the bad guy, right?” I ground out. “As for touchy? Today’s the first time I’ve set eyes on her since that Christmas when I drove her home. To be frank, and I don’t care if this is too much information, but those few times I spent with her were intense—best sex of my life—but as soon as we were done, she kicked me out of her bed before I’d caught my breath.”
It was apparent my honest conversation had shocked my sister-in-law, when I saw her blush awkwardly.
“How well do you know her?” I asked, pushing on despite Billie’s reddened cheeks.
Billie pursed her lips and shrugged. “We became friends after I’d gotten divorced and went to work for the mortgage company she still works for. We went out together, spent lunches together, but we grew close pretty quickly, but it was only a month or two before I started to see Sawyer.”
“Then, perhaps you’re not as close as you think you both are. I mean, if Tricia won’t confide in you ...” I trailed off. My narrowed eyes searched Billie’s and I shrugged. “Anyway, sorry if I sound rude … I’d better hit the john and get back to Juliette; she doesn’t know anyone.”
“Juliette’s a lovely girl,” she said softly and smiled, her eyes brightening for the change of subject.
“Yeah, she is … and uncomplicated,” I added, not able to stop myself from having one last swipe at the way Tricia had treated me. I blew out a breath and composed myself, annoyed by how easily I became riled talking about her friend. “Listen, we’re going to use your apartment tonight. I think once I’ve used the bathroom, I’ll call us an Uber and we’ll make our way over there.”
“Don’t let Tricia chase you away, James. It’s great to see you. I know Sawyer was pleased when he heard you were coming.”
“She isn’t, hon, I’m beat, and Juliette was working late last night, I can tell she’s tired.” I grinned. “She goes quiet when she’s tired,” I added, with a wink. Leaning forward I kissed Billie’s cheek. “My brother’s a lucky man,” I said honestly. Billie rewarded me with another soft smile.
“Thanks,” she replied, her eyes softening as she looked out the kitchen window and I sensed she was looking at where he sat. My eyes followed suit before I glanced back to look at her. “For confiding in me,” she added, patting my forearm.
Nodding, I had almost left the large kitchen, and had been heading toward the bathroom, when a question suddenly burned in my chest, I needed the answer to. “Billie?”
“Yeah?” she asked, turning with a tray of burger buns in her hands.
“Is it serious? Tricia and Mick …” Billie shrugged and held her hands palms up in a who knows gesture.
“This is the first time I’ve seen her socially in a long time…” Billie’s implication spoke volumes … none of us really knew what went on in her friend’s head, apart from Tricia herself.
