AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“She worries about you too, you know, and everything going on with Dad. I know you probably don’t tell us the half of it.”
I don’t deny a thing, because Kate is way too smart for me to bullshit her.
“I’m fine,” I tell her. “I’ve been handling him for years.”
“You shouldn’t have to do that. He should just listen to you. You’re not a child. He can’t control your life anymore.”
“He seems to still find a way to do that.” I sigh, running a hand through my hair.
Someday, I’ll be living back in Florida anyway, so none of it will matter. Until that day, I just have to steer clear of him as best I can.
He can’t make me do anything. Not gonna happen.
“Well, that’s why you’re a Rivers through and through,” Kate says. “You’ve proved it time and time again.”
“Thanks, sis.”
“Thank you, Ash. For everything you do for us. Thanks to you, I’m mortgage-free, and I have every mod-con under the sun that’s wheelchair friendly.”
I grin. “You see, there are some perks to having an older, handsome brother.”
She laughs. “What does handsomeness have to do with anything?”
“Everything,” I tell her, reaching down to hug her. “The Rivers charm and all.”
It’s good to laugh with her. We missed out on a lot growing up, but we never forgot about each other. The first thing I did when I made my first big paycheck was take care of them bothso they wouldn’t have any financial troubles. Making sure they owned their own homes was the first thing on that list.
“You’re not wrong about that. How do you think I snagged my man?”
“Hey, I thought he was the one who was supposed to charm you?”
She gives me a shove. “He’s very charming when you get to know him.”
“He seems like a decent guy. Is he gonna put a ring on it?”
“Ash!” Kate buries her face in her hands like she’s embarrassed.
“What? I know you guys are practically living together. Correct me if I’m wrong.”
“Fine, you’re right. And yeah, we’ve talked about it. I mean, we’d both love to get married someday.”
“Maybe Kenny and I need to have another little chat after all.”
“Don’t you dare!” she cries. “None of that ‘make an honest woman of her’ spiel, please.”
I laugh. “Don’t go giving me ideas.”
“Like you’d need any.”
“Just give me an inch,” I tease.
“Behave! You’re not here long enough anyway to cause too much havoc.”
“We’ll see, little sis.”
“What about you? Mom says you’re going to Miami to see a girl?”
“Good news travels fast.” Since I only told mom before Kate arrived.
