Page 31 of Whiskey Wednesdays

“She has severe clinical depression, she’s bipolar, but the worst of all is she’s just plain cruel. Something’s broken inside, and she doesn’t seem to have a mothering instinct.”

“I’m sorry. For Elodie and you.” I watched Elodie jump up to the next step and sadness washed through me.

I pointed at her. “Does she know?”

He shook his head.

Someone yelled from the locker room entrance. “Did you bring Els with you?”

Connor turned and smiled at the younger man walking toward us. “That’s Jackson, my cousin.” He raised his voice. “She’s hopping up the steps.”

He looked a lot like Connor, with the same lop-sided grin and tall, muscular build. He was probably around my age somewhere, in his early twenties.

“Jack!” Elodie squealed.

She started hopping down the stairs toward him.

“Slow down,” Connor called.

We all started moving toward her, but Jackson flew. He took the stairs two at a time and swept her up before she lost her footing. She hugged him and laughed like it had been a game, then kissed both his cheeks.

“Hey, honey bear. You need to slow down.”

She smiled and patted his face. “Okay. Jack, I’m starting school on Monday. I’m only a little scared. But guess what?”

“What?” he asked as he set her down.

“Daddy is learning to do my hair.”

He looked at her buns and grinned. “Did he do your hair today?”

“Yes, and he only said one bad word.”

“That’s pretty good for him.”

She nodded and pointed at me. “And Belly and Javy have a cat with one eye.”

Jackson studied me, and a killer smile spread across his face. Yep, definitely related to Connor. “A pirate cat, huh? Are you Javy or Belly?”

“I’m Belly.” I smiled. “Also Bella.”

Connor turned to Jackson. “Bella is mine. You can call her Isabella or Isa.”

My mouth fell open and I stared at Connor. Why did he keep saying things like that?

Jackson grinned. “How do you know these two?”

“My dad works for Connor.”

“Do you live around here?” Jackson asked.

“Yes. And I’m going to be helping Dr. Rasmussen and Dr. Singhal with the team.”

He cocked his head. “Doing what?”

“Mandatory rectal temperature checks and colonoscopies.”

Jackson’s head jerked. Then he started laughing. “A few of the players will be lining up if you’re the one administering them.”

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