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“Until I die.” He smiles. “Seriously, though. I’m happy you’re going to move in with me. I can’t wait to show you around as soon as we get there.”
“Yes. I want to see it all. After being trapped in school for so long, I feel like I’m finally starting my life.”
A funky ringtone chimes from Jax’s pocket, and he takes out his phone.
“Hey, man. I’m so sorry I bailed on ya—”
The cheerful expression suddenly falls from Jax’s face as he listens. I eat my food in silence and stare at my plate. Whatever he had going on, it clearly wasn’t the time for jokes.
“All right. Send me the address and I’ll be there.” He hangs up the phone, leaning back in his seat with a sigh.
“You okay, bro?”
“Johnathan’s dad just passed, and I think he’s freaking out.” He rubs the bridge of his nose. “I told him I’ll go to the funeral in a few days.”
“Oh, okay,” I say, trying to sound neutral. I’m not about to be the insensitive little sister who thinks sightseeing is more important than the funeral. Even if I am disappointed.
He looks at his phone and perks up a little. “Hey, here’s a thought. Why don’t you just come with me? It probably won’t be that long, and it’s right by some cool spots I can show you. What do you think?”
I sip on my orange juice. “Don’t you think it’ll be weird to show up to a stranger’s funeral?”
“People drop in to pay their respects all the time at graveyards. Plus, Johnathan and I go way back. We’re practically family.”
"He says to his sister.” I laugh.
“Come on,” he pleads, clasping his hands together. “We’ll only be there for a minute. I promise.”
“Well, how can I say no to that offer?” I shake my head. “Fine. Fine. I’ll go.”
“Yes.” He leans back in his chair and shovels another forkful of food in his mouth.
I munch on a strawberry and look out the window toward the ocean. I wonder if my mystery man is still here. Maybe I can steal another moment away before I’m permanently under the watchful eye of my brother.
“So, are you just going to lounge by the pool today or what?” I ask, looking back at him.
“Absolutely not. We are going to check out some places on the island,” Jax says, slamming his fist on the table with authority. “No way did I go through all this travel just to fly back empty handed. Kylie, today you will be my wingman. Tell me, which pose do you think I should go with?”
I bust out laughing as he flexes his muscles in hilarious poses. If living with my brother was going to be this entertaining, I’m going to have a blast in New York. Even if it does have to start at a stranger’s funeral.
CHAPTER7
Johnathan
Of courseit would rain on the day of my old man’s funeral. He never did make things easy.
The rain patters on and drips off the side of my umbrella as I stand next to the hole my dad is about to be dropped into. If he was here, he’d have someone holding an umbrella for him as he complained about the weather. Probably would’ve had something to say about the service too. But without him the only other sound I can hear is a group of black birds cawing from a nearby tree. It really is quiet without him.
I lift up my sleeve and check my watch. My mother should’ve arrived already with the rest of the procession fifteen minutes ago. She was a wreck at the funeral home and managed to make enough of a scene to be escorted away by two of Dad’s men. My men. I don’t think I’ll be able to get used to this. There is no way this old man left me everything. It’s like the nightmare that won’t end.
I glance over at my semi-somber bride standing beside me. Her face always seems in mourning, those thin lips hardly smiling or cracking any real expression. Not even at our wedding could she muster to flash a smile unless it was for the cameras. Got to keep up appearances. And today is no exception.
My father-in-law claps me on the shoulder, his meaty fingers gripping me tight. “I hope that you can see me as a reliable father figure for you, Johnathan. Anything you need, I’ll be there.”
“Thank you, sir,” I say, numb. I can’t help but think of my dad’s last words. What was so bad that would make him so afraid of Leonardo Guerra?
“My shoes are getting muddy,” Isabella mumbles. “How long does it take to throw someone in the ground?”
“Isabella,” her father scolds her. “Your father-in-law is being buried today. Have an ounce of compassion.”
