Page 195 of Incisive

Okay, so Leo might have also chatted with his former coworkers, who are protecting my parents, and learned that Mom and Dad really do appear happier than they’ve seen them in all the years they’ve protected them. My parents have even taken whole days off, which is practically unheard of unless one of them’s really sick.

Can you believe that even as I’m enjoying the highest poll numbers of my career I’m still secretly worrying.

Why?

Have you even been paying attention? It’s not just because of my own anxiety, either.

Ellis is a shitty human being, and Stella’s not far behind him. And there’s part of me absolutely convinced another shoe’s about to drop when it comes to those two.

* * *

“Ha!”Kayley cries. “Strike!” She does a little victory dance while I stand up and reach for my ball.

“Don’t celebrate too much,” Alan playfully warns her. “Elliot’s still twenty points ahead of you.”

She sticks her tongue out at him, which might be due to the two glasses of wine she’s had while we’ve been down here. I’m honestly surprised that she seems to be bowling better the more alcohol she drinks.

Mom and Meredith opted to sit this game out while me, Dad, Alan, and Kayley are on our second game.

Nice to have your own private bowling alley in the basement. Leo and Jordan are over at Shae’s tonight because Chris is hosting the bachelor party. Not sure how late Jordan will stay with Leo, but Leo’s spending the whole night there and will return first thing in the morning.

I haven’t asked why but I suspect it’s because there will be people in attendance that he wants to have some long, uninterrupted and private conversations with about topics it’s probably best I don’t know anything about. Because as of tomorrow it’ll be nearly impossible for him to have secret meetings or phone calls with people regarding information that, again, it’s probably better I don’t know.

We’re still working off the dinner that me, Mom, and Meredith cooked in the family kitchen earlier. Later, we’ll head over to the private movie theater.

Tomorrow night—yes, our wedding night—we’re taking a private family tour of the Smithsonian for all of us, including Jordan.

Minus Stella and Ellis.

During this visit my parents are safely tucked away in the Lincoln Bedroom, Leo’s are in the Queen’s Bedroom, and Kayley ended up on the third floor in another suite..

We conducted sound tests loooong ago to make sure you can’t hear anything going on in our bedroom.

I take my time lining up my next throw. I wasn’t the best bowler in the world even before I lost my leg. I think it’s sheer luck I’m doing as well as I am tonight.

That’s when it hits me that I can’t ever remember having this good of a time with Stella.

Ever.

Kayley genuinely feels more like a little sister to me than my own sister. How damned sad is that?

Kayley notices. She’s too damned perceptive sometimes, just like Leo. I’m certain that’s what helps make her a good psychologist. “El…are you all right?” she quietly asks.

I sniffle and nod, hoping no one else notices. “Yeah.” I flash her a smile. “Just thinking about what could have been in a different world.”

I might have deliberately whiffed that ball so that it ends up in the gutter.

Doesn’t matter. Kayley’s happy whoop as she realizes she’s still in the running to win this game is totally worth it.

Later, after the movie, Jordan still isn’t home yet. I bid good-night to everyone and both sets of parents head toward their respective bedrooms while I decide I want a drink.

Just one.

Because the aching maw in my soul where the love and affection for my sistershouldbe is finally festering now that I’ve resolved the biggest issue in my personal life.

“El, hold up.” I turn to see Kayley heading back toward me. “Know where a girl can find a drink in this joint?”

“I might be able to hook you up. Follow me.” I lead her into the private living room, over to the wet bar. “If you want something else I can call downstairs and have them bring it up.”