I write a note to Melanie, telling her I’ll be at dinner with Mom and Jack, then I head on over.

~*~*~*~

“I love green on you,” Mom says, hugging me tight.

“I’ve missed you,” I say, holding onto her. “It’s been a week.”

She laughs. “Look at us, like two lovers separated and suffering.”

Jack snorts from the counter and I flash him a smile.

“Get over here, kid, give me a hug.”

I let go of Mom and walk over, wrapping my arms around Jack’s middle. I adore Jack, and the more time I get to spend with him, the more that adoration grows. He’s a good man, loyal and funny. He’s taken care of Mom and I for two years now. I’m beginning to forget what life was like before them.

“Yo Sister!”

I turn and see Ripley striding in. He’s eighteen now and has finished school. I gasp because his long, thick hair is now cut short and messy, and I can see Blade in his face. Only a glimpse, but it’s there. My chest clenches but I rush forward and hug him anyway.

“What’s happening, Lee, and what did you do to your hair?”

He flicks what little is left from side to side. “I dig it.”

I laugh. “Me too, dude.”

“Where’s Yates? He owes me ten bucks. I kicked his ass at car racing the other night.”

Ripley and his video games. Lucky for him, Yates likes them too, so the two of them have spent some time in front of the screen.

“He’ll be here soon.”

“There she is.”

I smile and turn to see Brody coming through the front door. I didn’t know he was going to be here for dinner. It’s been a few weeks since I’ve seen him. I run forward and throw myself into his arms. Brody and I have developed a strong relationship after our time at the lake, and during the past year he’s opened up to me, to the point where we’re thick as thieves.

I adore him.

“I haven’t seen you for ages, Brody,” I say, squeezing his middle.

He pulls back and looks down at me. Some of the darkness has left Brody’s eyes, and he smiles a little more now. He’s still living with a good deal of demons, but at least he can manage to give a smile when it’s needed. He always has one for me. He chucks me under the chin and steps back. “You look good, Doctor.”

I snort. “I’m no way near that title yet.”

“How is school?” Jack asks, handing me a beer.

We all go to the kitchen table and sit down.

“It’s good,” I say, telling the truth. “It’s crazy but I’m coping, so that’s a start.”

“You’re smart,” Mom says. “That’s why.”

“Knock, knock.”

We turn to see Yates entering the room. He’s wearing a clean, pressed gray shirt and a pair of dark denim jeans, that, I remind you, are not faded in the slightest. His hair is neat and brushed back, and he looks really good. He smiles and greets my family and then presses a kiss to my forehead. “Sorry I’m late, I was caught up.”

“That’s okay, love,” Mom says. “Sit down. Dinner isn’t for a while yet.”

“Thank you, Nancy.”

He sits and reaches for my hand under the table.

“Yo dude, did you bring my coin?” Ripley says.

Yates grins and pulls out a note, tossing it at Ripley. “I’ll kick your ass next time.”

Ripley snorts. “We’ll see.”

“How’s school, Yates?” Mom asks, sipping her red wine.

“Crazy busy. It seems like you get through one thing only to have another pop up in it’s place.”

She nods, understanding. “I’m sure you’re doing really well.”

Yates slings an arm over the back of my chair and Brody gives him a disgusted look. He really doesn’t like my boyfriend. I give Brody a glare and when he finally pulls his eyes from Yates and meets mine, he curls his lip in a sneer. I narrow my eyes in my best death stare and he finally cracks a smile.

“Nice shirt, Yates,” he says, and I want to slap him. “Did your mom iron it for you?”

“Brody,” I chastise. “Don’t be a dick.”

“Yeah, Son, ease up,” Jack mutters.

Ripley is fighting back a laugh and I swear, I swear, Mom’s lips are twitching too.

“Just askin’ a question,” Brody says, throwing his hands up.

“It’s fine,” Yates says, though his voice is tight. “And yes, my mother did iron it, actually.”

Someone kill me now.

Brody snorts a laugh and Ripley actually leaves the table to no doubt go to his room and burst into a fit of uncontrollable pig snorts, because he gets like that when he can’t contain himself. God. Who said having brothers was fun?

Seriously. Who?

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

I swing my front door open to see Brody and Ripley standing on my doorstep. It’s been a week since the dinner at Mom and Jack’s, and I haven’t seen them. It surprises me they are here. It’s a Saturday afternoon and I planned on spending an evening in with Yates, maybe watching movies and eating an abundance of chocolate.

“What’re you guys doing here?”

“Get dressed. We’re goin’ out. It’s been too long.”

I groan as they barge past me and into my house.

“No. I’m going to get fat on chocolate tonight.”