She made a face. “Never mind.”
“What about your new guy?” Sophie asked with a smile. “Seriously, does he have any brothers for them?”
All of us were envious of our parents’ relationship. It was in all of our plans to get married, have a couple kids, have the perfect job—which was different for each of us—and live a good life. It was just a lot harder to get that life than any of us expected. And here I was, doing things a little out of order. A lotout of order. I always thought I’d be married for a few years, get some traveling done and see the world, before I had kids.
Placing a hand over my stomach, I smiled at Sophie. “Yeah, actually, he does. Blood brothersandMC brothers.”
They all perked up at that. I held up a hand. “I’ll need to meet them first before I’m doing any introductions.” I wasn’t about to let my sisters date anyone who wasn’t worthy of them. Which was why none of them were married to any of my co-workers. Firemen could have a bit of a reputation. Just like motorcycle club guys.
“I still want to know what your guy looks like,” Viv complained. “What’s his real name?”
Sighing, I told her. She tapped furiously at her phone, then frowned. “Nothing.” She looked up at me, then around at the others. “That’s weird.”
“What is?” Shay asked.
“He has no social media presence. Like, none.”
Sophie bit the insides of her lips to keep from laughing and shot me a look.
“That’s because he’s older, Viv,” I told her. “I don’t have anything either.”
She made a face. “It’s downright unnatural.”
Audrey nodded, taking a spoon and drizzling ranch over her slice of pizza. “How are we supposed to dig up dirt on him if he refuses to be like a normal human being?”
Sophie rolled her eyes. “You talk to people. You know…face to face.”
They both gave us disgusted looks. Even Shay looked uneasy at that suggestion. I couldn’t help it, I laughed. There was a big difference between us and them, but we still loved them and mostly tolerated them.
The smile slipped off of my face as my stomach revolted. Dashing to my feet, I ran to the bathroom and slammed thedoor. I was on my knees and throwing up violently before I even knew what was happening.
“Oh my God. It sounds like she’s having an exorcism in there!”
“Viv!” I heard Sophie snap at her, between bouts of hurling up the meager contents of my stomach. “Don’t say that.”
The others were laughing. And Vivian wasn’t wrong. I wasn’t throwing up in some graceful way—was that even possible—it was as though my body was trying to expel my actual stomach through my mouth.
“The power of Christ compels you!” someone shouted from the living room, followed by laughter. It worked, because I hurled again and it felt like an actual demon climbed out.
I’d laugh about this later, but not right now. In fact, I’d take my revenge on them by making them watch the Exorcist with me later. It always terrified Shay as a kid and I was pretty sure it was her who’d yelled that. It was a fitting punishment.
There was a soft tap on the door and Sophie entered without me acknowledging her. I couldn’t. I was too busy puking again. This sucked.
“Oh, sweetie.” She scooped my hair away from my face and held it back as I heaved. “I brought a wash cloth and water. For when you’re…done.”
I didn’t even have the strength to be embarrassed. Puking in front of other people was a vulnerable position to be in, but we’d done this for each other when we’d been sick as kids. Watched Mom and Dad do it for all of us. This was what you did for family.
“Thanks. Um… Can you do me a favor?” I asked, as soon as the puking stopped.
“Sure.”
“Can you please get me some new underwear and sweats out of my room?” I looked up at her, tears streaming down my facefrom the force in which I’d been throwing up, and grimaced. “I peed myself.”
She blinked then looked down. “That’s new.”
“Mom said it wasn’t uncommon,” I said with a sigh. “I have a theory.”
“What’s that?” she asked with a soft smile.
