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His dark green eyes meet mine briefly, but long enough for me to see a brokenness. I squeeze his hands.
Commando and Taz look surprised that Stonewall’s cooperating. I’m grateful they don’t interrupt.
Eight
Stonewall
Cheri’s tiny hands holding mine, and her sweet smile, lift my spirits more than anything has in years. She’s a bright ray of sunshine on this festive night. And here I am, refusing to stand up and dance with her.
My problems are bigger than I thought. I’d realized I was having a harder time than my brothers separating missions and life, but I didn’t know how bad it had gotten until I was forced to participate in what should have been a joyous occasion.
Taz razzes me. “You’re missing out.”
Watching them dance with her, holding her body close, I want it too. So why can’t I take my turn? I’m stuck in this mental hell.Is this my sign that I have to get help? Shouldn’t I be able to enjoy happy moments with my family?
Taz grabs her hand and leads her away from me. What the hell is he doing? Commando and I follow them around the end of the building where the wooden walkway gives way to sand. The rhythmic sounds of waves are louder than the music. Moonlight creates a new intimacy.
Taz slowly lets go of her hand, and what I thought was irritation, suddenly reveals itself as jealousy. I need to get a handle on that shit. It shouldn’t bother me if they decide to do something. The look in Taz’s eyes makes it clear what he wants.
“She’s our sister,” Commando says. Cheri stumbles backward as he steps between her and Taz.
“Step.” Taz doesn’t back down.
I grab their shoulders. “Knock it off, guys.”
It happens so fast, I barely have time to register the feel of Cheri’s hand in my pocket as she extracts her panties. So much for me trying to defend her.
“I knew it!” she proclaims.
We all turn to stare at our little sister dangling her red panties in triumph. The moonlight hits them perfectly, ensuring we see her victory.
“I didn’t know you were my stepsister,” I say as if stealing a stranger’s panties is more acceptable.
She looks down, then smiles widely, and without missing a beat, stuffs them back in my pocket. “I don’t have anywhere to put them.”
I’ll never admit how much it thrills me that shegaveme her panties this time.
“I’d be happy to take a pair for the team.” Taz reaches for my pocket, and I slap his arm away.
She waves a hand between us. “Sort that out later. I have a proposition.”
“We should get back to the reception.” Commando steps away.
“Wait!” Cheri lunges, grabbing his arm, and I’m conscious of every microsecond her hands stay on his body. He places his other hand on hers. More torture for me.
Cheri pulls away slowly as she continues, “Can I be completely open with all of you?”
I grumble, torn between the way my burdens feel less when I’m around her and remembering she’s now my sister. That’s what I need to keep in mind—she’s a silly little sister, acting her age, which all adds up to her being decidedly off limits.
But I can learn from her. I can remember what it was like to be young and full of life. And I need to get that back. I can’t be my best self on missions if I can’t be my best self otherwise. When we get home, I’ll call a doctor. I won’t bring it up with my brothers. I don’t need their grief, or their worry.
“Openness is good.” Commando speaks over Taz, keeping the comment honorable.
“I was going to hook up with a cabana boy so I would have a memorable first time—”
“Stop.” Taz thrusts his hand out, his fingers finding out how soft her lips are. This is not a reason to be jealous. It’s a reason to kick my brother’s ass and remind him she’s our much younger stepsister.
He continues, “You were going to lose your virginity with a total stranger?”
