There’s something written on her face, something I’ve seen too many times over the last three years. It’s a knowing look. The kind that makes my stomach drop because I’ve given that same look too many times to count.
Chapter 3
Presley
I am the devil’s bitch! I think to myself and stare blankly out the car window. We just buried my brother, and my mind can’t stop thinking about a man I don’t even know. Finn… Finn… Finn what? Shit, I don’t even know his last name.
Emotional delusion, that’s what this is. My mind is so emotionally overdrawn that I’m focusing on the incredibly gorgeous Marine instead of the fact my brother has died. That has to be it. Not the fact that this man makes my knees weak with just my name on his lips. Not the stir of emotions I felt when I got lost in his gaze.
His over six-foot frame, sandy blonde hair, and entrancing crystal blue eyes have nothing to do with it. Nor does the way his rough voice sent a rush of heat straight to my bones. It’s all emotional delusion.
A small chuckle comes from Johnny, and I find him staring at me with a shit-eating grin.
“What?”
“Simon would be proud. Picking up a man at his funeral, he’d be thrilled.”
Horror washes through me when my dad nods in agreement. “I did not!”
“You could have fooled me.” Dad winks with a small grin.
“Oh, Lord, you two are insane. I was being nice. I actually met him the other day.”
I fill them in on the brief meeting in the park and Ember’s interest in Blade.
“We’ll see.” Johnny continues to grin.
I’m about to ask what the hell he means, but luckily, I’m interrupted.
“Aunt Presley?” My four-year-old niece, Winnie, reaches for my hand.
“Yes?”
“Can I stay with you tonight?”
“Actually, I’m staying with you at Grandpa’s house.”
“We’re having a sleepover?”
“Sure are. I think a few of your second cousins are staying, too. We’ll make it a huge sleepover.”
She wiggles in her seat excitedly and starts to plan the whole night. I long for the days of thinking only about the movies to watch. Johnny, my dad, and I listen to her with interest, laughing at the right times. She’s a spitting image of Simon in every way. Not only their looks, but their personalities. Always thinking of fun and making people smile.
Dad’s house is already full of people when we arrive, and the food is set up everywhere. I take Winnie to change out of her dress so she can play with the other kids, while Johnny and Dad greet people.
As soon as she’s dressed, she bolts from the room, leaving me alone. I sit on her bed and run my hands through my hair with the realization that Simon will never see the beautiful daughter he created again. Time after time, he told us he was honored to be a Marine, but his only fear was never seeing Winnie grow up. This was going to be his last tour. He was going to try to make a change, maybe even recruiting or instructing. Anything to come home at night to her.
I suck in a shaky breath and count to ten, trying to calm down. I can break down in my apartment, alone. But, right now, I need to be strong. My whole family needs me.
“Hey.” The bed dips and Johnny sits down, draping his arm over my shoulder. “You okay?”
“Yes, just thinking.”
“Want to talk about it?”
“Not unless we can sit at Dad’s table with a whole bottle of tequila and get sloppy.”
“That can be arranged. Maybe not tonight, but soon.”