Page 11 of Holding On

“Maybe.” I take a sip of my flat white before turning the conversation to topics I wanted to touch base with my sister about.

“Okay, just the two of us now, Viv. How’s Savannah really doing? No bullshit.”

Vivian huffs and slowly shakes her head. “I think she’s doing amazing, all things considered, but I think it’s such a joke that she’s in this position in the first place.”

Less than two months ago, our sister was blindsided when she discovered a purchase agreement for a penthouse in Nashville solely in her husband’s name. Her soon-to-be-ex-husband thought he could just waltz away from their life together without any repercussions or consequences, and that Savannah would just handle all of it, while also solo parenting their three daughters. My sister is a lot of things, but meek and quiet are two words that will never describe her. When she finally agreed to let me bring in the big guns, instead of trying to just work with a mediator at her ex’s law firm, I felt like I could exhale slightly, but not fully—not until this divorce is finalized and that asshole is out of her life for good.

He didn’t even have the balls to tell their daughters together.

It seems both of my sister’s picked assholes for their first husbands, but at least both of them have incredible daughters, despite being in shitty marriages. Watching them both go through the awful emotional baggage of a marriage ending makes me want to minimize risk and never get married. And I don’t see myself ever getting married—unless Tinsley Sinclair were to somehow say yes.

“If I could fix it for her, I would,” I confess.

“I know that, she does too. Honestly, though, Pippa as her attorney has been the best thing for her. Plus, I don’t think Pippa lets her talk down about herself in any way, which is refreshing after the crap Shane has spewed about her for years. She just has to get through this chapter.”

“And she will.” I’ll make sure of it—as will the rest of The Cavalry. The nickname for our sibling group originated with our mama, but growing up, the entire town referred to us as that, and when we are united, honestly, we’re quite unstoppable. We were as kids too—now I just have a massive bank account to fund our activities as well.

“It is pretty funny how mad Shane gets whenever Savannah has to see him with her legal team.” Vivian grins before taking another bite of her cinnamon roll.

“Did you ever hear why Shane and Theo hate each other so much? Is that why Sav went with Pippa’s law firm?”

“No, I mean, I think it helped, but she really does like Pippa. It’s just an added bonus that Pippa’s brother is Shane’s enemy or something. No one’s fully explained that one, but I should ask Sav why Shane and Theo don’t get along.” She purses her lips, deep in thought. “It would need to be substantial because the dude hates Theo and I mean hates.”

“Hm. Let me know if you figure that one out.” We visit some more and compare notes on a few of our siblings. As the oldest, I make sure everyone else is taken care of to the best of my ability, but I’m a busy guy and can’t always keep a pulse on everything. I discovered a long time ago that an hour one-on-one with my siblings can fill me in on the others more efficiently than three hours of all of us together.

And if it means I get to enjoy a legendary cinnamon roll from Java Jive at the same time, it feels like a win all around.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Fiona

Quick question… Is it really a crime if I smother THE loudest snorer in history of mankind OR am I just doing the world a favor?

Fiona

Hypothetically speaking, of course.

Me

Well if you smother the snoring dude until he can’t breathe, then I think the law may have an opinion. Is your drummer sleeping in the bunks again? Have you not heard of earplugs?

Fiona

Yeah, but I can still hear him. I’m losing it. Tour buses are great for some things and reallllllly suck for other things. How was Charleston last night? You looked hot on insta!

Me

Thank you, thank you. You were right about those purple shorts. They were perfect with those black heels you convinced me to buy!

Fiona

Told you. I don’t care that you’re 5’8”, you Amazonian goddess, you have every right to rock high heels! I would never lie, especially about you looking like a damn snack!…speaking of yummy things, are you going to stop by the Nashville offices when you’re there later this summer to see your brother and bump into/jump on a certain tall, dark, and handsome?

Me

He is definitely all of those things. I could wear 4-inch heels and he’d still be taller.

Fiona