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The boys’ laughter is so contagious and heartwarming. I should be horrified by the wasting of food and the disregard for Tug’s home, but I’m too happy to care. This moment is a perfect reflection of how carefree a child’s life should be. Javier’s childhood has always been tense and structured to keep me grounded, and he deserves the reprieve, if only for the morning.
“Thank you,” I tell Tug, brushing cereal flakes from his messy morning hair. After sending the boys to clean up, I say, “Where’s your broom, so I can get started on cleaning this up.”
“Leave it. The housekeeper will be here at ten,” he informs me.
“We can’t leave it like this. It’s more than she’s paid for, I’m sure.”
“She’s paid well, and I’ve had some wild parties. She’s seen worse than cereal.”
I hop up on the counter and smile, not wanting to think about the many women who probably spent the night after one of his wild parties. “This was fun, but no more cereal games.”
“I make no promises.” Tug slides his body between my thighs and kisses me. “I really like you.”
“I like you, too,” I say and glance away.
“But …” he probes.
“I’m still trying to figure out the hustle.”
He leans back, the crease in his forehead deep. “The hustle?”
“Yeah, you know. The hustle. When something’s too good to be true, it’s a hustle. Where I’m from there’s always a hustle. Everyone has one. So, what’s yours?”
“Where I’m from, the hustle is a line dance, usually performed after consuming large amounts of alcohol by people who have no rhythm.”
I laugh, but then my expression turns serious. “You know what I mean. Why me?”
“Why not you?” With a slight jerk of my arm, he pulls me from the counter and close to his chest, our gazes fully entwined. “There’s no hustle. I like how you make me feel. I like that I can be myself when I’m with you. I like your smile and your laugh. If there’s something I don’t like, it’s you questioning how I feel about you. This thing between us is real, and I have no idea where it’s going, but I don’t ever want to hear you doubt why I’d choose you. You make me feel like there’s not enough time in the day, like I can’t get enough of you, and if I blink, I’ll miss something incredible. I don’t want to miss anything.”
“Oh,” I gulp, just before his lips settle on top of mine.
We arrive at Brady’s house at noon. Tori is in the kitchen chopping up fruit, and the house is packed with people. We stop on the other side of the island to greet Tori, Maria looking nervously at her.
“Mommy.” Drew runs around and into her arms to hug her. “I had so much fun. Javier is my new best friend.”
Tori greets Javier, and he and Drew run out of the sliding glass door to the deck. My eyes meet Harrison’s through the glass, silently threatening him. The skin under his right eye is purple and I’d like to make the other one match. He’d better stay clear of me if he wants to live.
“Hey, little brother.” Liv says, spotting Maria next to me. “Oh, hey. How are you?”
“I’m good, thank you.”
Liv holds her arm out, showing off a diamond tennis bracelet. “Look what Harrison got me!”
“For what?” I ask rudely.
She smiles, spinning her body back and forth at the hips. “Just because.”
“I bet,” I snap. “Men only give gifts like that as an apology.”
“You’re so rude, Tug.”
Why am I the asshole? Clearly Harrison hasn’t told her yet. “Yeah. How’d he get those bruises on his face?”
“Oh, God. It was awful. Some guy was arguing with his girlfriend at the gas station and Harrison tried to stop it. The guy attacked him.”
I can’t believe she fell for that bullshit story. Actually, I can. Harrison has everyone fooled into believing he’s the ultimate do-gooder. I don’t want to ruin today’s fun or make my sister sad by outing his ass. “The bracelet’s nice,” I say, not even addressing his phony attack.
“Aw, is that your son?” Liv as
