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I notched my chin up to him.
“I couldn’t tell her when the sex stopped meaning anything. Like, I don’t even know if it ever really did just because we were each other’s first.”
“Damn.”
“Yeah. And she knew it too. I told her we’d been each other’s crutch for too long. You know? We did our own thing for years, back in our schools and because we’re here, we went back to our old ways.”
I shook my head as Pierce stood up. “Drop by again after you go to your parents’ house,” I told him. “There’s an eighty year old bottle of scotch that’s collecting dust in the closet in my guestroom.”
“Sounds like a plan,” We bumped fists. “You don’t want me to send Nancy or Beth a message for you?” A corner of his lips tugged up.
“I keep in touch with my women,” I assured him.
***
Bethany
“Oh, Pierce!” Aunt Deborah ran out of the kitchen in her high heels and ran into the living room, holding Pierce at arm’s length, examining him. “You need a haircut.” His blond hair had grown to frame his face from the short cut he’d had weeks ago.
“The boys and I are gonna go for a haircut real soon.” He hugged her tightly and his expression fell when he took in her appearance. While Aunt Deborah was dressed in one of her impeccable suits and her chic bob was updated, upon closer inspection, it was clear that she had been dejected since the two most important men in her life had been at odds with each other.
“I can schedule an appointment for you with Seamus. Your friends, especially Joel, let their hair get all crazy.” She pursed her lips. “It was cute when you all were little.”
“We still kill it,” Pierce said. “Chase keeps his cut fresh,” he pointed out.
Aunt Deborah motioned with her head. “He does,” she agreed, as if there weren’t any conflicts where Chase was concerned. “And so should my handsome, bright, amazing son.”
She kissed him on the cheek and he bunched up his face like he had when he was a toddler.
“Plus, I don’t want one of my heads of guest services to look like a surfer instead of my employee,” Uncle Anton remarked from his seat at the dinner table, ignoring Pierce’s mention of Chase. A disapproving expression grew on Nancy’s face as she placed the pitcher of drinks on the table.
“Says the CEO who wears too-tight polo shirts, cargo shorts, and fugly sandals to work,” Pierce quipped.
“Pierce,” Uncle Anton said with a half-grin.
“Father.” Pierce matched his tone, and he stalked over to me and kissed my forehead. “Noodles.”
I patted his back and Cassidy came into the living room. I wanted to love her, but I didn’t even like her. And I didn’t even
want to dislike like her over a guy, but she didn’t have respect for anyone, including the people at this table who did love her. When it came to family I supposed one didn’t need to like them in order to love them. Liking your family just made loving them easier.
“Evening, everyone,” Cassidy said, and sat down next to me when there was plenty of room to sit on another chair.
Pierce released Nancy from his hug and he sat between Aunt Deborah and Nancy, whose face had brightened since he came through the door. He didn’t even look at his sister.
“Would you like more baked potatoes?” Cassidy asked after most of us were about done with our meals. Aunt Deborah couldn’t keep the smile from her face and Nancy kept checking that Pierce ate enough. Uncle Anton appeared to be content to have his wife close to him again, but he didn’t attempt to shower her with affection like I bet he wanted to.
“Thank you.” I placed a baked potato on my plate, spread some butter, and put some oregano on it. Cassidy had a twisted expression on her face.
“I’d heard that you and Mona broke up,” Cassidy said, and it brought a sad look to Aunt Deborah’s face. Uncle Anton forced himself to straighten his face.
“I thought you two got involved at too young an age.” She rubbed his back and Pierce didn’t act like he was unaffected.
“She’s a great girl,” Pierce said. “We’ve been putting this off.”
“And I hope this is it for you two. You have no business—”
“Anton!” Aunt Deborah reprimanded.
