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ulling me out of my reflective thoughts. Then he said something that rocked my world. “She’s your sister and she loves you. You know that. Plus, you’re about to be an auntie.”
Boom. My sister was pregnant and I didn’t even know. That’s how much of a selfish jerk I’d been.
I’d catapulted off the couch, crossed the room, and threw myself into my sister’s arms.
Of course, being Gaby, she’d forgiven me instantly, and I’d spent the next few years trying to make up for the brat I’d been.
Gaby was the only sister I’d ever have, and she’d always been there for me, especially after our dad left. But I had to realize that she was grown and out of the house, starting her own family, and busy with her life, so I couldn’t expect our relationship to be the way it had been when we were children. Even so, she’d never intentionally hurt me, not even after I’d done so to her.
I still didn’t tell her what happened with Craig, or further back, with Brad and Dave, but instead decided to focus on moving forward, and building a better relationship with her.
Chapter Twenty-Nine ~ Craig
Present Day (20 years old)
I watched Gwen embrace Gaby, then weave through our friends until she was by my side. I leaned down and kissed the top of her head. I’d been so proud of her tonight. Her showcase had been spectacular, and, as always, her talent astounded me. I was happy that she was finally getting the chance to share her vision with the world.
“Want a drink?” I asked, careful not to think of what happened last time we went out drinking. I didn’t want to have dirty thoughts when her mom was standing next to me.
“I’ll just have a coke,” Gwen responded, looking pointedly at her mom. I read her signal loud and clear, no drinking in front of the parent.
“I’ve got this round!” TJ shouted out from the tall bar stool he was perched on.
Everyone was shouting out what they wanted when the door opened and Sasha walked out with a waitress.
“It’ll be much easier if you just let her take the orders, babe,” she told TJ with a smile.
“What would I do without you, Red?” he asked with a grin as she walked into his waiting arms and planted a kiss on his waiting lips.
“You’ll never have to find out,” Sasha responded, causing everyone on the patio to emit a cry of “awws.”
I stood there, watching Gwen make her rounds, smiling and laughing freely with each person. I knew we were lucky, to have people such as these in our lives. Not everyone was as fortunate, and I never wanted to take what we had for granted.
I was thinking that I needed to stop having such deep thoughts and enjoy the company of the people that we didn’t get to see nearly as much as we’d like, when I felt a small hand tuck into mine, and looked down to see Gaby leaning into me.
“She’s so happy,” she stated, watching her sister, as I was.
“Yeah,” I agreed, thrilled that Gwen was happier than I’d seen her in years.
“You give that to her,” Gaby said, drawing my eyes down to hers. “That happiness. The freedom to be who she is … It’s like that with me and Scott. I’m glad you’ve filled whatever hole was keeping the two of you apart.”
I wasn’t sure how much Gwen had told Gaby, but knowing Gwen, I doubted it was more than was necessary, so I simply said, “Thanks. She gives me those things too.”
Gaby gave me one last squeeze, then wandered away.
Two seconds later, Brock stood in front of me.
I was tall, but he had me by a couple inches, so I had to tilt my chin to look him in the eye. I knew him to be a fiercely protective, loyal man. I’d worked for him during summers since I was eighteen, working odd jobs until I was eventually trusted to be on one of his crews. I’d also played poker with him and the guys, and had seen his band play a few times, but I didn’t know him personally like Gwen did. She said he was a teddy bear, but I’d never seen that side of him.
And now, as he stared down at me, his bearded face grim, with his arms crossed, I was man enough to admit that he had the ability to scare the piss out of me.
“Brock,” I said, straightening my shoulders to show no fear. I knew what this was, and it wasn’t a friendly, how-ya-doin’ conversation.
“Craig,” he responded, arching an eyebrow and lowering his voice to a deep timber.
Yup. Fuckin’ scary.
“I don’t know you as well as I know your brother, but everything I’ve seen has been good, except when it comes to dealing with that precious girl over there,” he began.
