Aubs:They’ll fold you into the family in no time. They protect what’s theirs. Promise. It’ll be okay. >
Me:Fine. I’m coming.
Shutting off my car, I push the door open and find Aubrey waiting for me on the front porch.
“I still gave you a twenty percent chance that you’d run.” She crosses her arms as she takes me in. “I like the outfit.”
I look down at my casual outfit. Jeans, a tee, and Converse. “What’s wrong with how I look?”
“Just not used to the laidback version of you. You don’t even have makeup on.”
I touch my cheek where the bruise was. It spanned from my chin up to my eye. According to the doctor, my jaw was dislocated and she had to reset it. It still clicks now.
“Don’t need it anymore.” I give her a weak smile. “And no need to dress up. Hugh doesn’t need me to lookpresentable.”
“I like this version of you. You already look happier. Even if you hate me for making you socialize.”
I roll my eyes. “I still love you.”
“You better. You’re stuck with me.”
The door behind her opens, and my girl runs through. “Aunty Soph!” Lily jumps into my arms.
“Hey, pretty girl. I’m so glad you’re here!”
“Are we going to… plllllay Barbies?” She drags the L sound out, trying to pronounce it correctly. Her school is working with her on her speech, and she’s come a long way.
“Of course, we can.” I place an exaggerated kiss on her forehead with a loud smacking sound from my lips.
“Yay!” She hops from my arms and runs back inside.
“Come on. Time for you to meet the rest of the Keaton women. Except Willow. She and Gunnar are in LA right now. They won’t be back until the Fourth of July.”
“Oh good, I’m spared one out of seven?” I ask her sarcastically.
“Stop it. It’s just four.” She swats at me. “And I promise you’ll like them.”
“I don’t like anyone, Aubs.” I follow behind her.
“You like me.”
“Only because that little girl pulled me in.” I laugh.
Walking through the door, I can already hear the raucous from the kitchen. Loud laughter, clanging dishes, followed by louder voices.
When Aubrey keeps walking toward the noise, I inwardly cringe, already feeling the headache coming on.
She pushes the door open, and all four women immediately stop what they’re doing and look at me.
“Girls, this is Sophia! Wyatt’s new tenant,” Aubrey announces.
“Shit. Has my brother already hit on you? Because I can punch him for you,” a brunette with a toddler says.
“You know he has. Look at her. She’s fucking gorgeous,” an equally gorgeous woman who could be a freaking model says.
“Oooh, Wyatt is having a field day with pick up lines I bet,” yet another woman pulling cookies out of an oven says.
“Ladies, really? Can we let her in the kitchen before assaulting her?” an older woman says through laughter.
