Page 5 of The P*ssy Next Door

I'd grab a couple pairs of jeans and some plain sweaters for the rest of the time I was home, because I hated to see that hurt look in my brother's eyes that he thought he hid so well. Can't hide much from twin telepathy though.

“All right, I'm as ready as I'll ever be.” Was anyone really ready to find out their favorite human on the planet might not have long to live? “Just let me grab my Kindle and my bag and we can go.”

I had a feeling I was going to need my emotional support Kindle for some escapism later.

Even though it wasn't that far, we drove over in the new car my parents bought for Xander last spring. I did not need a car. My cute motorbike was third hand from a teacher who'd been leaving and wanted to pass it along. It was yellow and I'd named it Captain Kirk. I missed the Captain right now.

There usually wasn’t any parking this time of day, but Cool Beans was not what I'd call hopping this morning. Wasn't this supposed to be their busy time? Xander pulled into a spot right in front. My mom waved to us through the window, and I didn't see any other customers inside even though the glowing neon sign said the place was open.

A yucky niggle in my gut had me worried that Liam and George had shooed the customers away because nobody needed to see a grieving family cry. I sent a quick prayer out to the universe, hoping that wasn't true. Please let this be good news. We could all use that.

Xander pulled the door open, and the moment I walked inside, the aroma of coffee wrapped me up in its warmth. I loved the smell of toasty, roasted coffee beans. It reminded me of everything childhood. I just wish a cup of brew tasted like what it smelled like. I'd never admitted to a soul that I didn't actually like coffee. I was in it exclusively for the cream and sugar.

George saw me first and there was nothing I wanted more than one of his big, squishy bear hugs. Which is exactly what I got. After a longer than normal embrace, which worried me, he gave me a twirl. “Willa, don't you look cute as shit in that jersey. It's the newest addition to the collection.”

I let him give me an extra twirl just like when I was little. “I raided your closet, hope you don't mind.”

“Not a bit. Everything has been such a flurry the past few days, or I would have pulled my head out of my butt and grabbed you some warmer clothes for the fall. You keep that one. I'm happy to get another later on. As if I need a reason to buy more Mustangs' paraphernalia.”

He gave Xander a wink. “Or DSU Dragons.”

He'd said later on.

If he was planning for the future, that was good, right? I wanted to ask him to tell me what was going on, but I held my tongue. They brought us all together as a family to do this. Either we'd all be crying together or cheering together.

Liam gave me a smile from behind the counter. “You two want a drink while we wait for your dad?”

Did he look paler than when I'd seen him over the summer? No? Maybe? He sure didn't look like he was dying. But that might be my wishful thinking. He certainly wasn't giving me even a clue, and he knew it. “Sure. Surprise me, but make it something sweet and extra?—”

“Extra whip. I got you, boo.” He handed me a mug already covered in whipped cream and caramel drizzle. He also pulled out a super disgusting plain black coffee for Xander. How did I have a twin brother that was so boring and staid? The world may never know.

Xander took his gross cup of joe and leaned against the counter. “Give us just a little hint about your news, Li.”

“You two can wait a couple more minutes.” He nodded toward the window. “Your dad is pulling up now.”

Probably straight from the golf course, if his super goofy plaid pants and polo were any indication. But knowing Dad, it might just be what he chose to wear today. Fifty-fifty chances on that one. He pushed in through the door. “I'm here, so you can get the party started now. And it had better be a party, little brother, because if you're still dying, I'm going to kill you.”

Dad crossed the room and went right over the counter to wrap Liam in a huge hug. I swore I caught a grin on Liam's face, but it might have just been because Dad was squashing the air out of him.

George waved us all over to the table where Mom was sitting, and I took the seat next to her. “Hello, Willabean. What in the world are you wearing?”

“Hi, Mom.” I didn't answer her question, because... why? She didn't listen to me anyway. Sigh. That wasn't fair of me. Mom just had selective hearing when it came to what I wanted, in my wardrobe and my life. At least she hadn’t mentioned anything about my weight. I had steeled myself for that and was happy not to have to bring out that particular piece of armor.

She smiled at my brother. “Alexander, how was your math test?”

“Flying colors, Mom.”

“Good boy. And you're on the starting lineup this afternoon?” Welcome to the mom-ish inquisition. I'd be lucky if I wasn't next.

I felt Xander's mental eyeroll. I had to bite the inside of my cheek not to roll my own. As if Xander hadn't started in every game since halfway through his freshmen year of high school. Along with Hayes Kingman, of course.

“As always.” He took another swig of his coffee and turned in his seat to face the Guncles, who, it seemed, were finally ready to give us the news. Lucky break. Or maybe unlucky. We were about to find out.

I couldn't help it, I grabbed my mom's hand under the table. While she and I very rarely saw eye to eye on anything, she gave my fingers the squeeze I needed.

Liam and George gathered everyone's attention, and a hush fell over the table, the clinking of coffee mugs fading into the background. My heart quickened, nerves prickling at the edges of my skin. This was it, the moment we had all been dreading or hoping for.

Liam cleared his throat, exchanging a glance with George before speaking. “Well, I want to thank all of you for being here. It means the world to us.” He looked right at me and his voice, though steady, carried a weight that hung heavy in the air.

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