AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I think you already did.”
He turns it over, and then his jaw drops.
“What?”
Don pauses a second before he says, “There’s engraving on the back too.”
He puts it back in the box and hands it to me.
He doesn’t look happy.
I take the belt buckle, turn it over, and—
Nowmyjaw drops.
With lots of love, Brianna
“You want to explain that, Pike?” Donny demands.
I open my mouth, but words don’t form, until finally, “I don’t have an explanation.”
“Something going on with you and my sister?”
This time, the whole family’s jaws drop in unison. It’s almost comical.
“What’s it say on the back?” Maddie grabs it from me, and her eyebrows shoot right off her forehead. “Oh my God…”
Mom grabs it from her then. “Brianna? Brianna Steel?”
None of us know any other Briannas.
“Jesse…” Dad says. “She’s so young.”
I shake my head vehemently. “You guys are all looking at me like you think I know what this is about.”
Except for that one kiss we shared… That was over a week ago. I haven’t seen Brianna since then. Rory and I have been busy working with the band, coming up with our repertoire, and making tweaks in the music and choreography.
Donny is glowering at me.
“Give it a rest, Steel,” I finally say. “That’smysister you put a ring on.”
He says nothing. How can he? I’m a hundred percent right.
“When was she over here?” Donny says finally. “Someone had to leave it.”
“She’s been here several times.” Maddie rubs her jaw. “We’ve been talking about the trip. But I’ve always been with her. I would have seen her put it under the tree.”
Donny rises. “I’ll find out what’s going on.”
Callie pulls on his hand. “Donny, no. This isn’t your business.”
“The hell it’s not.”
Callie pulls Donny back down beside her on the sofa. “It’s not. Your sister’s a grown woman. This may not even be from her.”
“You know another Brianna?”
“Does that even matter?” Callie asks. “You guys are assuming this gift has some hidden meaning. It could just be a thank-you gift from Brianna to Jesse for agreeing to let her come on the tour.”
