Page 23 of The Hook Up
Ty took a deep breath, weighing his own terror at the word “married” against his sister’s obvious happiness.
“That’s—that’s great,” he managed. He sat down on the edge of his desk and summoned his most supportive- sounding voice. “Who’s the lucky guy?”
“His name is Martin, and that’s why I’m calling,” she said. “I know I haven’t seen you in ages, but I want you to meet him.” She paused a little there, and Ty sensed there was more to her request. That if he just waited, she’d spit it out.
“I was hoping maybe you’d walk me down the aisle.”
Her voice was almost a whisper, but it hit Ty like a ten-pound boulder to the chest. He swallowed hard, surprised to find tears clogging his throat. That made it hard to respond, which was probably why Anna scrambled to fill the silence.
“It’s okay if you don’t want to,” she said. “I know you hate doing stuff in front of crowds, and it’s not like we even grew up together.”
Ty blinked hard. They’d been shuffled between separate foster homes, too young to understand what was happening. Just when Ty would get attached, he’d get bumped someplace else, until “good-bye” was more familiar to him than “I love you.” Anna’s mom got out of rehab and came back to claim her, but Ty’s mom was dead by then. Their father had been no use at all, bouncing between prison and?—
“I’d love to,” Ty said, desperate to halt the flow of dark memories. “Walk you down the aisle. I’d be honored.”
He meant it, too. Marriage and kids weren’t in the cards for him, but he desperately wanted Anna to be happy. If getting married would give her that, he’d do it.
“Oh, Ty. This means so much to me.”
“I’m glad to help.”
“I promise you won’t have to do any public speaking,” she said. “Just walk me down the aisle.”
He laughed and shifted a little on the edge of his desk. “I’m here for you. Whatever you need, just ask.”
“That’s sweet. I’m so lucky to have you.” His sister sniffled on the other end of the line, and Ty’s throat started to close again. He cleared it quickly, needing to divert the conversation.
“Tell me about the guy,” he said. “What does Martin do?”
“He’s wonderful,” she said. “Your classic grown-up Boy Scout. He’s an attorney who fights on behalf of abused and at-risk kids. He owns his home and is this total model citizen. He’s never even had a parking ticket. Isn’t that crazy?”
Ty let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding.
Nothing like our father.
“He sounds terrific,” Ty said. “I can’t wait to meet him.”
“Great! Let me check my calendar, and I’ll email you some dates that might work. We can go from there.”
“Sounds perfect.”
“So, how about you?” she said. “Any chance you’ll take the plunge someday? Find a nice girl, settle down and have six kids and a dog and?—”
“No.” His response came out sharper than he meant it to, so he hurried to fill the awkward silence. “Not my thing.” He’d never be his father. That guy who destroyed families. It’s why he avoided relationships and attachments like the plague.
He cleared his throat again.
“I’m happy for you, Anna,” he said. “Tell me all about the wedding plans.”
CHAPTER5
Ellie had every intention of flirting with Ty at her next video appointment. She’d picked out another sexy dress and even waxed her eyebrows.
But as was often the case, motherhood took center stage. “Sweetie, when your teacher gives you a note to bring home to me, it’s very important that you make sure I get it.”
As she glanced into the rearview mirror, her son’s lower lip quivered.
“I meant to,” he said, his voice small and earnest. “But she kept talking about the dead lions, and I got scared.”
