Page 96 of Burning Skies
We’re sitting in the living room at Rhett and Paige’s house. Beau has his arm protectively around my shoulders. “It’ll be okay, princess. I promise.”
Will it? “I’m so sorry. I knew he and my dad would be mad, but I didn’t think Trig would go ballistic.” I cover my face because I’m mortified. “And I know Trig is an asshole, but he’s also been a good brother to me. He said I didn’t have to marry Ian, that he’d have my back no matter what. How do I reconcile that with the person who wanted to shoot you?”
“Listen here,” Rhett says gently. “You have nothing to apologize for. You did the right thing calling Paige, and it was mighty brave of you to stand in front of Beau. Gotta say I appreciate that.”
Beau lets out a breath. “If anyone else points a gun at me, I’d rather Honey stand squarely behind me.”
I shake my head. “I shouldn’t have told my father everything today. He and my mom are splitting up because… because he’s been cheating on her for a really long time. She can’t take it anymore.” My eyes sting, and I sniffle. “But you know what’s really crazy? I have a half-brother out there, and I don’t even know his name. I can’t imagine what my mother is going through.”
Paige, who’s sitting next to me, grabs my hand. “Did you just find out about the brother today?”
“I’ve known for a while. My mom has too, but I finally told my dad I knew about him when he called me disloyal. We had words.” I wince. “I might’ve poured his thirty-year-old bottle of Macallan down the drain.”
Rhett and Beau groan, and I hold up my hands. “I know. I should’ve just taken the bottle, but I was upset. My father’s been on dialysis for renal failure, and he’s sucking down whiskey like it’s water. It pissed me off.”
Beau chuckles. “That was pretty savage.”
“I’m just glad you didn’t die.” Leaning up, I kiss him.
“Aww, y’all are so cute,” Paige says as she claps.
Her genuine joy for me and Beau lightens my heart. “Thanks.”
“How ’bout we celebrate Beau not dying and Honey being a badass with some nachos? I could make some spicy homemade queso.”
Just then, Jace waltzes through the front door. “Did someone say homemade queso?”
Everyone laughs, and I have to say Jace’s robust appetite even makes me chuckle.
Although it’s been a rough day, I’m grateful for my friends, who don’t hold my brother’s behavior against me.
I can only hope Trig comes to his senses and stops seeing my boyfriend as a threat.
35
BEAU
I breathein Honey’s sweet scent as I hold her against my chest. After everything that happened yesterday, I didn’t want her to be by herself. She was expecting to deal with her father and maybe Trig, but her parents separating has really upset her. It’s a lot to deal with at once.
As we lie in bed, I run my hand up and down her back. She just wanted me to hold her, which I was happy to offer. When her alarm goes off, she groans and burrows deeper against me.
“Babe, you said you wanted to go to work today.” I suggested she call in sick, but she said she had too much to do.
Her head comes up, her hair a tangled nest. I brush it out of her beautiful face. “Want some coffee?”
“Yes, but don’t go yet.”
When she tucks herself against my chest again, I have a hard time getting my ass out of bed. I lie there, happy to comfort her. Stroking her hair. Rubbing her back. Keeping her warm.
At first, I think she fell asleep, but when I glance down, I realize she’s gazing out my window. I know she’s thinking about what happened yesterday.
Fireball joins us, curls up against Honey, and purrs wildly. Fortunately, Mav and Rhett adopted the other three kittens.
Honey snuggles my orange fluffball closer, but the forlorn look in her eyes does me in.
I struggle to think of something to say to make her feel better. “Do you have plans for Thanksgiving? It’s next week.”
She turns and looks up at me. “My mom usually makes a big meal, but I’m guessing that won’t happen this year.”
