Page 23

Ronnie

J osh’s birthday dinner is starting and I’m more nervous than I should be.

Amber’s dad is helping Tiffany in the kitchen.

The door to the backyard is wide open as we all walk in and out.

The Meiss brothers transformed the backyard into a beautiful dining area; a large folding table is in the center with warm fairy lights inside glasses scattered across. Plates, utensils, napkins, and salads are already placed.

Teddy is running around between our legs with his tongue sticking out, sniffing the food that lingers in the air. Josh is following him, trying to occupy him outside with Kat.

A warm hand links itself around the crook of my arm, “Don’t be nervous, I got you. You can hold my hand whenever you want.” A bright grin tucks the corners of Amber’s mouth in place despite her mother’s presence.

I’m worried about her . I don’t want her mother to ruin this with her rude demeanor—lips pressed into a thin line, arms crossed over her chest—her exhibit of dismay is loud and clear.

I glance at Amber and whip us around the beanbag chairs at the side of the yard. I drop on one, and Amber lowers herself across my lap, leaning against my shoulder.

Melanie’s eyes are like saucers, pinning me down from the other side. She has no idea how far I will go to protect the ones I love, and if she gives me a reason to, not a damn thing will stand in my way to ensure Amber’s safety.

I narrow my eyes, unfolding. She looks away first.

Amber wears a yellow sundress that hangs a few inches above her knees where my hand caresses her soft skin. She beams, eyes twinkling, and I beam at her. “You look stunning,” I whisper in her ear.

“I…” her ringed finger follows the open trail of my white dress shirt while her teeth sink into her lower lip. “I love it when you wear formal outfits, especially those dress pants that rub against my clit.”

“Wow,” Cole’s voice drifts to us right as Bradley tosses his flip-flop at his head. “What? I just expressed my admiration.” His eyes widen in surprise.

“I’m just showing off my pitching skills.” Bradley retorts playfully with a funny “you saw it coming” look.

Cole pretends to chew on his nails in fear. Amber is the first to bark a laugh and bend in two and I join her contagious giggles—there is never a dull moment with them.

“Idiot.” Bradley chuckles—his half-smile turns wider in an instant. “I’m going to help Mom.”

As he strides inside Johnny walks out in our direction, holding two cans of beer—his bright grin graces us. “Ronnie, can I have a word?”

“Sure,” I signal Amber to let me get up so she can stay here and rest but she kisses my cheek instead. “Stay, I’ll go help Tiffany. Save me a dance for later?”

“You got it.”

Dropping next to me, Johnny hands me a can. “How is your week going so far?” He asks.

“Eventful.” I give him a curt nod and take it. “We’re having fun, it’s probably the best time I’ve had in years. I’ve been so busy with work that I didn’t take a break for five years.”

“I’m glad to hear.” He pulls the tab backward and it pierces before he takes a sip and I do the same. “This place is special, you can’t go wrong with loud families and big hearts. The secret is to have only a few people that sound like a tribe.”

We laugh.

“No sir. Especially the big hearts part.”

He places the can between his thighs, and ties his hair backward, exposing a gold ribbon tattoo on his neck right under his ear. My mouth goes dry and a lump forms in my throat.

“I haven’t seen Amber smiling like a little girl in years—so carefree; so happy. She lost it gradually year after year when she lived in our house. I tried my hardest to put it back there but it wasn’t enough.”

“She was proud to introduce you to us because she loves you so much.” It’s all she talked about the week before we came here, during her shifts in the club she said how much she missed him and Kat; how he makes the best food in the world; how he brought the stars right outside her window so she could run and have her special place.

“I hate to admit she accepted our mistakes, grew up too fast, and raised herself most of the time. Even though I gave her space because I knew how independent she had been since she was a kid, I still wanted to be a part of her special moments and even small insignificant ones. But I always knew she needed her mom too. I tried to keep them away from each other when Melanie struggled.” He thrusts his hand into his pocket, hunching his shoulders.

“You did what you could and thought was right at the time.” My eyes follow Amber from across the yard, helping the others organize the food on the table with a dazzling smile. “She never blamed you. She just wanted her mother, waiting for her to notice her little girl. Amber doesn’t ask too much, she doesn’t ask for anything at all. All she longs for is love, comfort, and companionship. She wants to belong somewhere where she is accepted and can be herself. It’s different. It’s new to all of us. But we want to keep her safe and protect her heart.”

“Melanie told me about the message she sent you.” His throat bobs with each second that ticks away. “I thought she wanted your number just in case—” He cuts himself off, “I’m sorry. Melanie has a lot of demons, it’s no excuse but it overpowers her every other instinct. I love her. I loved her since middle school even when I knew how complicated her life was with an abusive parent and then she lost the only family that made her feel safe. I accepted her struggles but Amber didn’t have to, she just wanted her mother. Melanie and I came here to start fresh but we were young, trying to figure out life.”

“I know what it’s like to be sick and to feel like you’re dying inside even though you’re fighting it, your chances are numbers you care nothing about. I was lucky to survive cancer to be a part of a beautiful family.” I point at them. “Even if it doesn’t work, we will always be a family because we care for each other. Life is too short to look the other way when you find something like this. Amber is a grown woman who will make her choices regarding her mother but will always come here to have a special moment with you and her sister.”

“I came here to chat with you and you completely shattered me,” he wipes the tears from his eyes.

“They say I’m unpredictable.” I glance at him with a soft smile.

He chuckles with a hoarse voice, “Spot on.”

“You have a childhood cancer awareness tattoo.” I slide my eyes to his neck.

“Oh,” he reaches out to rub it, “I lost my brother to cancer when we were kids. We all lose something, don’t we?”

I purse my lips together and nod.

“How old were you when you had it?” He asks.

“Twelve.”

A beat passes before I sneeze and lighten the mood when his soft laugh permeates the air.

“Promise me to make her smile every day, and when she cries wipe her tears and tell her how much you love her.” Johnny shoots his hand forward for a brotherly handshake.

I extend mine and clasp him. “We will, I promise.”

“Let’s go to eat,” he pushes to stand and I follow. Amber is more like him than she realizes.