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Scarlett bites her lip and shrugs.
"Just like me," Bellamy chimes in. "Well, sort of."
Behind me, Blake barks out a laugh.
It's then I remember my manners. Taking my sister's hand, I steer us toward where Blake and Bellamy are watching by the bar. Blake's sister is sitting on a stool, legs swinging while sipping on a soda, while Blake is standing with his hip propped against the bar and his arms crossed over his chest.
"Blake, Bellamy, this is my baby sister, Scarlett."
"Hi!" Bellamy gives my sister a pleasant wave while Blake offers her a chin lift.
"How's it goin'?"
Scarlett leans in close and whispers, "Is that him? He's…" She looks at Blake and then back at me. "Big." She's still whispering.
Having heard what Scarlett said, Bellamy giggles. Blake looks unaffected, but I don't miss the twitch of his lip.
I look at my sister to see a red tint staining her cheeks. I nudge her with my elbow. "Wait here a second while I talk to Blake."
I gesture for Blake to follow me into the kitchen out of earshot. He quickly ensures I'm okay by wrapping his arms around me. I lay my head against his chest, close my eyes and breathe in his scent. "My sister coming here will cause trouble with my parents."
"Your folks aren't going to do shit," Blake assures me.
"You don't know my parents."
"Don't give a fuck." Blake takes my face between the palms of his hands. "They can't touch you here. And they can't touch her, as long as your sister is here."
I close my eyes and sigh. "You're right."
"Are you going to be good, or do you want me to stay?"
I shake my head. "No. You and Bellamy go on. I want to catch up with my sister." I smile. "I still can't believe she's here. It's been so long."
Blake's face softens. "I'm happy for you, Vita Mia."
"Thanks." I go up on my tiptoes and kiss him. "We'll be fine."
"All right, baby. Grey is back if you need anything, and I'll have my cell."
Later that afternoon, Scarlett and I are sitting outside in the backyard of the clubhouse, drinking beer and catching up. She told me about school and how much she hates her classes.
"My offer still stands in sending you to design school," I remind her, taking a sip of beer.
"I accept."
Her calm reply takes me off guard, making me choke and sputter through my drink. "Really?" I snatch up a napkin and wipe my mouth.
"I accept your offer. I want to move here and go to design school."
Setting the bottle down on the table, I turn toward my sister. "Are you serious?" I try not to get my hopes up, but the thought of Scarlett moving here and being close to me full-time has me in a near tizzy.
"Please don't play with my emotions, Scar. My heart can't take it."
She slaps my arm. "I'm not. I'm being serious. I'm done with Mom and Dad controlling me, and I'm done with their high expectations." She picks at the label on the bottle in her hand. "I want to start living life for me and do what makes me happy." Scarlett sets her drink down. "Being with my sister and attending design school will make me happy."
"Come here." I pull my baby sister into my arms.
"You know Mom and Dad are going to shit a brick when they find out where I am."
