Page 20 of The Nice List

I shake my head. “I need something stronger than beer for this conversation.”

I push back from the table and take the two steps needed to open the cabinet next to my refrigerator. I fill two rocks glasses with ice before grabbing the bottles of Crown Royal and Sour Apple Pucker and pouring equal parts of each before topping them off with cranberry juice.

“Mmm, that’s so good,” Maxine says as she smacks her lips. “You’re getting good at the bartender gig.”

I shrug. “It’s just a Washington Red Apple.”

“Whatever. It’s good.” She takes another healthy sip before setting her glass on the table in front of her and raising a brow at me.

I lift my drink, draining half the glass before telling her, “Livvy is scared to tell Alexis about us.”

My sister huffs out a breath. “If that sour faced bitch was my sister, I’d be scared of her, too.”

“Maxine!” I groan.

“What?” She shrugs nonchalantly. “I didn’t pull my punches when you were trying to date her. I’m sure as hell not going to do it now. I swear if they didn’t look so much alike, I’d never believe they were sisters. Livvy is the polar opposite of Alexis.”

I laugh. “I’ve said the same thing. Unfortunately, that means that Livvy actually cares about what others think.”

“You think that means she’s worried about other people finding out about you and her…not just her sister.” It’s not a question. Maxine knows me. She knows how I think.

I nod before finishing my drink and standing to refill our glasses so I don’t have to see the pity on my sister’s face. We’ve both lived on the wrong side of town our whole lives, but it’s never bothered her the way it does me. I want more. I want out.

“Cory, listen to me.” The use of my name pulls my attention back to her as I slide her drink across the table. “Livvy isyoung.” She holds her hand up to stop my argument. “The age gap doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things since she’s an adult. But it does matter in terms of life experience. I’ve always told you not to let where you came from define where you’re going. The same goes for love. It’s up to both of you to decide where that’s going to be. Give her time.”

I sip my drink as I let her words sink in. She’s right…as usual. Not that I’ll tell her that.

Maxine’s phone chimes with a text and I can tell by the way her face lights up that it’s from Slade.

“Go,” I tell her. “I’ll clean up since you did most of the cooking.”

I want to tell her to stay away from Slade. I want to tell her that he’s dangerous. But I’d be an idiot to think that she doesn’t already know that. My sister knows exactly who she’s involved with. I just hope he doesn’t break her heart.

“You’re the bestest!” She jumps up to help me stack the empty dishes on the counter for easy clean up.

“Merry Christmas, sissy.” I lean down to give her a hug.

“Back atcha. I love you, little bro.” Then, she’s running out the door like her ass is on fire.

Livvy

I smile at the “Merry Christmas, pretty girl” text on my phone before I hear footsteps behind me and quickly turn the screen off.

“Oooohhh, who is BB, Livvy?” Maddox says from behind my parents’ sofa where I’m lounging after dinner.

I jump up and look around, thankful to see that we’re the only ones in the living room. “Um…”

Maddox’s teasing smile drops at my expression before he lowers his voice. “Who is he?”

I promised myself that I wouldn’t lie about Cory if I was busted, but I don’t feel right telling Maddox about him when I haven’t even told my family…especially my sister.

The teasing grin returns to his face before he laughs quietly. “Let me guess…Lexi doesn’t know about him, and you don’t want to tell me because—of course—I’m duty bound as her fiancé to rat you out.”

I scoff at his accurate assessment. “Something like that,” I admit.

Maddox tsks. “Well, little sis. You’ve put me in quite the dilemma. Because on one hand, I am her fiancé, so Ishouldtell her about her little sister’s nefarious deeds. But on the other hand, I’m your future big brother, so I’m supposed to be there for you to confide in when you can’t go to her.” He taps his finger on his chin dramatically, making me giggle.

The sound makes his full smile return. “That’s better. Now, I won’t everlieto your sister. So, just keep that in mind. But if you ever need someone to talk to, I’ll never say a word—unless Lexi asks me about it outright—deal?”

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