Eric, Jody Kaye [well read books TXT] 📗

silly, sappy part of my personality that refuses to ignore his presence too. I thought these feelings would go away and they aren’t.

Having Drew this close at Eric’s wedding is like a stab wound to my chest. I want to take the knife, cut my heart out, hand it to Drew, and walk away. No heart, no heartache. No subconscious worries he might be after what every other boy was—Grandaddy’s money.

For the most part, it takes minor effort to see through those who want a Kingsbrier for the notoriety. Drew isn’t that translucent, but he’s had years of honing his craft, pulling the wool over my eyes as Adam’s best friend.

Someday I’ll see into your soul for what you are. I think.

I’d given myself a pep talk before the guests arrived. Avoid conversation. Don’t let Drew draw you in. You’ll only fight. God, I miss fighting with him and making up and everything else in between. All those stolen moments when nothing mattered before the sun came up but us. Those were the moments I was positive I meant more to Drew than even Adam had.

Daveigh takes Corey from my arms. I’m lost without my nephew as a distraction. Drew’s gaze is still boring into me. Thank goodness Daveigh stands nearby, so it’s easy to turn my attention and affections back on the baby. I keep the guise of polite conversation with Diana Adair until she and my sister walk away. D’s taffeta skirt swishes behind her.

The cutesy matching spring pink dresses Gin chose for D and me to wear today are wholly nineteen-fifties. I’ve had Corey on my hip most of the afternoon. If let my hair grow a bit longer I’d provide the perfect image of domestic bliss.

I absently touch the tips of my pageboy. I haven’t had long hair since I was a little girl. It was soft like Daveigh’s with wild curls. But I wasn’t demure, girly, or feminine. Or into baths, so I smelled as ripe as my brothers when they hit puberty.

“If you hadn’t set Brier off course before, you won’t accomplish it now. Don’t wait forever on her.” My brother knows I’m determined to get my Bachelor’s in criminal justice.

“Nah, I’m not waiting. Your sister’s too busy sampling the local cuisine to know when a real man is around. Tell me Brier, was one of those girls I met your roommate next fall? I mean, there’s this rule about males and females cohabitatin’ on campus, but no one seems to care that you are all licking each other’s pussies.”

Adam throws his head back with a gut-punch of laughter, doubling over. “YOU? God damn, Brier. I may joke, but the absolute last person I’d ever thought was a lesbian would be you. Hell, you’ve always liked making men drool. S’like you have a penchant for it. Not that I see what any of them are looking at.” Adam talks loud enough to draw attention.

“You are a complete and utter asshole.” I won’t let my brother insult me. And, of anyone, Drew knows what team I play for. I’ll eat crow before he gets away with talking about my roommate the way he is. “Don’t be a pig,” I hiss. “Rumor has it your coach handed you your ass for sneaking off on game day.”

This shuts him up.

When FSU played at Texas State Drew found my dorm room and paid me a visit. There was an itty bitty part of me that had hoped he’d try, though, when he appeared it wasn’t the consolation I’d expected. I should have admitted I wasn’t over him. But, at my breaking point over missing him, I’d taken my true form that afternoon.

It was the wrong move to make. I’m embarrassed by my actions. Drew got a rise out of me, which means he’s aware he still has my attention—even though I kissed another woman as a ruse to be rid of him—and the vicious part of my personality that won’t quit until it wins won’t give up.

Strolling nonchalant between the boys, I give each a hard shove; Adam for taunting me and Drew for bringing up the way I acted last fall. Adam takes two steps back. The wrought iron fencing stops him from stumbling while my brother continues heckling me. Drew’s heel gets stuck on the edge of the pool. He falls backward, landing in the chlorinated water with an enormous splash.

Surfacing, Drew spits and shakes the water from his ears. His blond hair spikes up and his blue eyes shoot venom at me. He grits his teeth, trodding to the side of the pool. Adam lends a hand, hauling him out. Drew’s drenched suit creates a waterfall on the concrete decking.

My mouth is agape. The same firm palm that pushed him is now planted at the center of my chest. Everyone’s eyes land on me. I’m mortified. What kind of sister ruins a wedding because she can’t keep her emotions in check?

Tears prickle my eyes and I have an awful sensation in my gut I’ll be spending a second summer in a row crying.

I turn tail, running through the morning porch doors, down the hall, and up the stairs in the foyer. My entire body slaps against the wall and I dare to glance out the front window before entering my room. A long pane of glass overlooks the driveway. Drew walks, dripping, to his old Cadillac. His head swivels up to where I stand still shaking from embarrassment and he stares right through me.

This time, I took it one step too far. I’ll never see that old car again. It won’t carry me home before the sun rises. I have to learn to live without Drew, not pretend I am.