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My excuse is weak. I know it. They both know it. But our dynamic has changed in the past nine months. I’m the odd one out. They have couples’ dinners and plan little trips to wineries or to Lincoln for football games. I joined them the first few times, but it gets annoying being the fifth wheel. Not that I’m interested in adding a sixth.
Jude slides back onto the stool. Ben remains standing. Their eyes are still on me.
“Sorry if you guys turned your fun cards in when you hitched your wagons to Gillian and Sadie.” I finish my beer.
Their gazes both follow the empty beer bottle I set on the counter. Then they share a look. One that says do you want to call him out, or should I?
I get their protectiveness. I was so young when our mom died. I’m not even sure the vision I remember of her is actually her, and that sucks. I much prefer when they bust my balls than when they act all caring. As if I’m going to throw all the shit that fills my brain daily on their laps.
“I get that the family dynamic has changed.” Jude takes the first stab at it, but I put up my hand.
“Listen. I get that you’re both in tune with your feelings since you’re with the loves of your lives, but there’s no need to worry about me. I’m happy being single. I’m not lonely. I love my life.”
They glance at one another, and I avoid rolling my eyes. Why do they think they know something I don’t? Ben’s loved Gillian since high school. Jude’s loved Sadie since they were six. Do they see some woman on the periphery of my life while I have my head up my ass like them? No.
Gillian walks inside, their new screen door not banging like the rest of ours because Ben made sure to install a fancy one. It slowly clicks shut when she’s halfway into the kitchen.
“Am I interrupting?” She doesn’t wait for an answer before opening the oven and pulling out a lasagna.
“I knew I smelled something good.” I ignore my brothers and lean over the dish of gooey cheese and sauce. I reach to grab a small piece of burned cheese, and Gillian slaps my hand away. “If a woman could promise me this every night, I’d marry her.”
Someone scoffs behind me.
The hairs on my neck rise.
A siren blares in my ears.
My body shifts to fight-or-flight mode.
Briar Adams.
Gillian’s half sister who always gives me the cold shoulder, has no end to her snarky comments, and always calls me Little Noughton. Hello, I’m inches taller than my brothers, and there’s nothing little about me. Not that she seems to care.
Why does she hate me? I have no fucking clue. I’m not a confrontational kind of guy. I’m easygoing. Everyone loves me. I bring humor into a room. But Briar Adams wouldn’t know a joke if she paid an ungodly amount of money to sit in the front row of a packed arena and listen to the hottest comedian.
“Briar,” I say with a nod.
The room quiets. Neither of my brothers say a word.
“Ben. Jude. Little Noughton.” She nods, standing across the giant kitchen island, glaring at me.
My back straightens as I ready to hash out a few rounds. Then I’ll go home to beat off because this woman drives me fucking crazy.
Chapter Four
Briar
I didn’t plan on coming to the Noughton Sunday dinner. I don’t much care for Emmett Noughton. I’m only here because Gillian has been good to me. Ben has been nice. They’re all about family and closeness and bonding, which isn’t really my thing.
“Hey, Briar.” Ben moves in to hug me, but I stiffen, so we awkwardly do a side hug, patting one another on the back.
Thankfully, Jude just raises his hand with a simple, “Hey.”
The Noughtons are always welcoming. When I arrived, Bruce wrapped his arms around me, not caring that I drew back. He held me longer than I prefer and squeezed me tightly as if he’d missed me. When he finally released me, he smiled and said he was glad I could make it tonight. Jude’s wife, Sadie, who is as sweet as sugar, shifted to get up, but I shooed her back down on account of her swollen belly.
I’m still not completely comfortable with the family dynamic here. It’s an enigma I’ve never solved. I guess that’s what happens when your mom runs out on you, and your dad works so much it puts him in an early grave. Sure, I have Koa, my brother, but he’s off finding himself somewhere.
“I’m so happy you’re home for good.” Gillian grabs my hand and pulls me toward the kitchen. Which also means closer to Emmett.
