Page 48 of Instigator

“Well, I have these things called boundaries,” I tease back. “You might want to try it one day.”

“Oh, fuck off.” He gives me a halfhearted shove. “We can’t all be as uptight and compartmentalized as you.”

I shove him back, and then we start tussling, and before I know it, he has me in a headlock as a huge smile stretches across my face.

“It’s good to see you, man,” Baxter says. “We need to get together this offseason. Do something fun.”

“Family vacation?” I suggest. “Hailey mentioned wanting to go somewhere with a beach.”

There’s still no date for their wedding, but eventually, they’ll need a honeymoon. When it’ll happen is as good a guess as anyone else’s. I fully intend to give my sister the wedding—and honeymoon—of her dreams. It’s not about the expense. Ryan earns a healthy salary and can support her. It’s about giving her everything she’s ever dreamed of.

I can’t bring back our parents. I can’t cure her of her POTS and EDS, and half the time, I don’t think she’d want me to. All I can do is love and support her in any and everything she does, and I’ll do that until my dying day.

Baxter grins. “It’s a date. Hopefully, Ivy’s broken up with her P-O-S boyfriend by then.”

“He’s an ass?”

I guess it’s a good thing Hailey is engaged to my best friend. I never had to worry about her dating jerks and assholes.

“The worst.” He grimaces, running a hand through his short dark hair. “I want her to go to law school free and clear. Nobody holding her back.”

“She’s got this. She’ll be fine,” I assure him. “Hailey will look out for her. I will look out for her. She’s family.”

He hesitates.

“I promise she’ll be fine.” I pat him on the back. “If you’re not careful, I’m going to tell her you’re worried about her.”

Baxter shudders. “No, thanks. I’d rather not have a black eye.”

“Just par for the course with little sisters.”

“So what you’re saying is I should shut the hell up and trust you?”

“And her.” I shove him again. “She’s smart enough to get into law school. I’m pretty sure she’s smart enough to leave the douchebag behind.”

“Here’s hoping,” he mutters. He shakes his head. “So tell me, what’s new with you? Played anything good lately?”

For half a second, I debate telling him about Ceci. We played a few rounds, me and Annie and Baxter and Whittaker. It lasted maybe six months, and then Baxter got traded to a new time zone, Whit broke his wrist and couldn’t game, and our group fell apart.

But at least for now, I want to keep it to myself. I’m not ready to share our story with anyone else. Not while it’s still in flux.

One day, I’ll be ready. But today is not that day. I don’t think tomorrow will be either.

One day.

twenty-one

. . .

Ceci

“The shipment is coming! The shipment is coming!” Bex bounces on her toes and claps her hands.

“Okay, but you can’t talk like that in this city,” I tease. “Paul Revere remembers.”

She slows to a stop, shooting me a dirty look. “Spoilsport.”

“Sor-ry.”