Page 71 of Promise Me

“No, I was just looking at the house.”

He twists to look too.

“Is it different?”

“Yes and no. The paint is fresh, and the door is a different color, but other than that, it’s the same.”

We walk up the driveway, and I spot the handprints in the cement Linc and I made as kids. I see the rock that has our address engraved on one side and our height markings on the other side.

I let out a breath and feel my shoulders relax.

It is my home. I just … I wish I remembered more, and I’m so tired of wishing for that.

I hear my dad's laughter the moment we walk inside, and we both follow it to the back of the house.

Dad and Linc are out on the patio, sitting at the table and drinking beer. There’s a chips and dip spread, and I can smell the burgers cooking on the grill.

“Look at you two having a good time,” I say, making our presence known.

They look up at the same time, and I swear, I’ve never seen my dad smile bigger.

“Sadie,” he says and gets up, swiftly pulling me into a hug.

“Hi, Dad.”

He pulls back, taking only a step and still holding my hands to look me over.

Then he turns to my brother. “See, Linc, she’s doing great without us breathing down her neck.”

Dad winks at me. “He’s such a dad sometimes.”

I laugh, and so does Hudson. Next thing I know, Dad and Hudson are doing a man hug and slapping each other on the back.

“You’re not tired of her yet?” Dad asks.

Hudson grins as his gaze connects with mine. “Trust me, no one is as shocked as I am. She’s almost to peaceful to be around.”

I roll my eyes.

“Perhaps I’ll have to strike up an argument later to keep you on your toes,” I say and grab a beer out of the little cooler my dad brought outside.

“Perhaps I’ll have to remind you that I almost always have the last word.”

“Perhaps I’ll?—”

“Perhaps I’m going to vomit if you two keep this up.” Linc grabs the beer from my hand before I can take a sip. He points between me and Hudson. “What is this right now? Are you two flirting?”

“Linc,” I scold as Hudson smoothly takes my beer out of my brother’s hand and hands it back to me.

“No,” Hudson answers. “You’re just not used to seeing us get along.”

I smile before I take a sip. “Yeah, what he said.”

Both Hudson and my brother gawk at me. One has amusement with a little of something I can’t quite figure out yet, and one has a look that saysI'm about to whoop your butt like I did when we were kids.

I laugh and spin to find my dad in the kitchen.

“Do you need help?” I ask.

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