“The little she-boy can rot in hell. I’d rather go to jail than deal with her shit anymore. Took all my fun money to rent that place, and she flushed my stash like five times.”
Which is when we found out exactly how Fred had gotten her sister to rent a house in the nice, decent neighborhood in the first place. The brilliant little model of civil disobedience had threatened to report her big sister, and her dirt bag boyfriend, for child endangerment and drug possession if she didn’t spend Fred’s half of their monthly trust stipend on a clean place to live until she could file for emancipation in six months.
Miller was right. She’s very mature for her age.
“It’ll work out.” I gesture toward the laughing group across the room to change the subject. “It was nice of the owner to let Austen throw her first party here. I can’t believe he closed the place down for this. At the last minute, no less.”
Royal’s face transforms with the slightly besotted grin I’ve come to expect whenever anyone mentions Austen’s name. The man has it bad.
“Well, Austen’s little brother, Thoreau, is Seamus Finn’s business partner. He’s a great guy, and he has a vested interest in keeping his young beer genius happy. She called Seamus as soon as she found out the hotel overbooked to see if they could work something out.” Royal shrugs. “Besides, there could be some women in this group who decide to come for the pore cleanser but stay for the hot guys and beer. Pub makeovers could go viral.”
I smile at the idea, feeling only moderately guilty for being grateful to have a break from the cloud that’s been hanging over the house since the fire.
Every night when we close the bedroom door, Miller is mine. He gives himself to me with no reservations. We can’t get enough of each other. When I’m with him like that, it’s raw and honest and I know there’s nothing that could ever come between us.
Unfortunately, we don’t stay in the bedroom twenty-four hours a day. And outside of that room, Miller is using his worry about Diane and Heather’s anxiety, Fred’s bravado, and his job at the day spa to keep me at a distance.
I’m not sure how to close the gap.
“Speak of the devil’s husband,” Royal booms jovially, and several people turn to see two men walking in the front door, hand in hand.
The older man has a handsome lumberjack thing going on, muscle-bound and bearded. The younger guy will now forever be the first image I think of when I hear the words millennial hipster. Cute though. He’s definitely cute.
He has to be Royal’s brother, JD Green. Which means the lumberjack old enough to be the cool uncle I always wanted is his husband, Carter Willis. Royal told me he used to be a drill instructor in the Marines.
I thought he’d look meaner.
As Royal introduces them, I realize that while they don’t look like they go together at first glance, as soon as I see them interact—or notice the way Carter looks at JD like he’s the only one in the room—it all makes perfect sense.
Just like it makes sense that Royal and J.D. are brothers as soon as they start bickering.
“Hello, lover boy.” JD raises his voice. “How’s your secret affair with Austen Wayne going? Been locked in any more rooms together?”
When Austen’s sisters look over at us and laugh, I wince in sympathy, but Royal takes it in stride. “Hey, remember when you lived on the other side of the country and never called? Good times, right?”
JD turns to his husband. “Isn’t he the one who’s started looking for property in our neighborhood? That was him, right?” he says, hooking a thumb towards Royal.
Carter chuckles. “Okay, let’s take it down a notch. We’re here to be supportive.” He glances at Royal and winks. “And to let JD find out more about your new girlfriend.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Mother Matilda didn’t send me on a recon mission. I’m innocent. Just here to get a free massage and some skin toner.” JD smiles warmly at me and holds out his hand. “Speaking of massages, nice to finally meet you in person, Desperado. I’m hoping you have stories about Royal’s hijinks with broads abroad. I need more blackmail material.”
I grin back, playing along. “Oh, I have stories.”
“So do I, friend,” Royal warns lightly.
Where’s the trust, man? As if I would give his brother any more ammunition after that texting disaster.
“Carter, let’s get JD a drink while we let Austen know you’re here.”
Carter gets a nod from JD before letting Royal drag him away.
“That wasn’t obvious at all,” JD says as he grabs the stool beside me. “I wish Fiona was here.”
“Fiona?” I ask politely, since I have no idea who he’s talking about.