Page 12 of Double Trouble

“It’s dumb. Don’t worry about it.”

“But I do worry about it.” She leans forward, her elbows tilting the booth table slightly.

“Stop trying to mother me,” I tease, and she blows a big raspberry in my direction and takes my cheesy sauce. “Hey!” I reach for the sauce, but she swings it out of the way, and then the goodness dribbles from the ramekin and onto the bench seat next to her. She squeals and scoots away from it like a snake just landed, then holds out her hand that’s covered in cheese.

“Get it off!”

I laugh and pull out napkin after napkin. “Totally your fault,” I tell her as I clean her up. Thank heavens she forgets what we were talking about, and we spend the rest of our food court time talking about her nerves for starting middle school in a week. Gotta say, as nervous as she is, I’m way more scared.

After the food court, she lets me go to Boxed Lunch and cringes at my outfit choices. “Wear a skirt just once, Maddie!”

Um… no.

I get a new Star Wars top with Rey’s yellow lightsaber displayed across the chest and a pair of black shorts I plan on rocking for absolutely no one but Tanner tonight at Troublemakers. Like he gives a shit, but hey, they’ll be comfortable to board in.

It’s close to eight o’clock when we get home, and I grin as I throw the car in park, happy she changed her attitude after Claire’s. Not sure what was up, and I’m still surprised she didn’t want anything. In fact, I didn’t buy her anything, which is rare for a mall trip. She’s usually packing five or six bags into our little apartment, along with a giant smile.

The smile’s there tonight, but certainly not as bright as we truck up the four steps to our door. When we step inside, a loud shuffle and an “Ouch!” filters in from the living room. Recognizing Pete and Candace’s voices—and grunts, unfortunately—I give them a little time to right themselves and whatever clothing before turning around the corner.

Demi, however, doesn’t quite get the hint and takes off.

“Candace!”

“H-hey, girl.”

I crack a grin at the fumbled greeting, then follow my sister into the living room. As I thought, Candace runs her fingers through the strands of her auburn hair, brushing out the chaos Pete inflicted while they had the place to themselves.

Demi bounces on the couch next to Pete, ignoring his rumpled shirt and red cheeks. “Did you do it yet?”

Pete’s eyes bug out, and he quickly puts a finger to his lips.

“Do what?” Candace tilts her head. Her nail gets caught in a tangle in her hair, and I jump over and help her out with it.

Pete smooths out his shirt. “Oh, she wants to know if I’ve asked you to marry me.”

An electric shock that zaps through my spine stops my hands right there in Candace’s hair. I stare at my future sister-in-law—assuming she says yes—and wait to see if she takes him seriously.

Candace lets out a snort, and her gaze turns to Demi. “Oh that.” Then a wicked smile turns her lips, and I catch a glimmer of light reflecting off her thumb. “He sure did.”

Demi squeals so loud I shrink back from the sound. She bounces from one couch cushion to another until she’s leaping into Candace’s arms. “We’re gonna be sisters!”

Candace catches her, oofing at the weight. Demi’s small for her age—Pete is the only one who got the tall gene—but she’s no picnic to carry. Candace loses her grip and they topple down to the recliner that’s luckily right behind her.

I realize I’m not smiling. Actually, shock has rendered my entire body useless. Pete showed us the ring two days ago; I really thought I’d have more time to process, more time to prepare for the reality of it all… what his engagement will mean for our family dynamic. Now I’m plunged in, and I’m not ready.

Pete meets my gaze, and I watch his smile fade and fade into a twisted curl of concern, and I beg my face to be excited. I beg my eyes to show just how happy I should feel right now. I plead for my lips to curl upward. But they won’t listen. Fear has taken control of every single muscle.

“Why’s it on your thumb?” Demi asks from Candace’s lap as they admire the diamond.

“Your brother thought I had really big fingers, apparently.”

“Pete!” Demi giggles and swivels the ring around Candace’s thumb. There is nothing but happiness in that girl at least. Maybe she can send some of that over here. “Now she can’t show it off.”

“We’ll get it resized. Chill.” His grin is back, but not really. He keeps looking my way, and I know he’s waiting for a change in my reaction, but it’s not coming. I want to tell him I’m trying but my body ain’t working right, but my voice is packed behind panic, and it won’t budge its way out.

“Before the party?” Demi asks.

Candace’s dark brown eyes widen and shoot over to Pete. “What party…?”

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