Page 82 of Not Your Basic Love Story

Sonja smiled at him and then glanced over to Dev.

The way she looked at him tied my stomach in knots. These two had been working together this whole time? Why didn’t Dev ever talk about her? He could have at least mentioned it.

Painful memories resurfaced. Graham’s late nights at work. Me, walking into his office, pitiful glances in my direction as I ignorantly walked past the guy he was having an affair with day after day.

The lying. The embarrassment. The heartache. The shame…

Fool me once.

“Yes, the future sure is a mystery,” I agreed with Sonja, trying to smile, but managing only to produce a wane grimace.

The boisterous laugher from the tables next to us turned to yelling, drawing our attention. Kyle was face-to-face with Moe. Of all the people for Kyle to interact with, it had to be Moe. Together they were a powder keg, the drinks in their hands a lit match. There was finger pointing, more yelling, and then it happened.

Moe launched himself at Kyle, tackling him into a table. The table collapsed under their weight, glassware crashing as their drinks hit the ground.

A lady screamed. I glanced over; it was Shawan. Jag was beside her now, pushing her back to get her out of the way.

Dev had his arms out, one in front of me and the other in front of Sonja, protecting us both.

Kyle made his way to his feet, touching his nose and seeing blood. Two others pulled Moe up and dragged him away as he continued to point and yell Punjabi in Kyle’s direction.

My brother pushed past me, through the crowd, and into the house. Mom, Dad, and I trailed behind him.

In an angry burst, Kyle yelled and punched the wall, leaving a hole in the drywall.

“Kyle!” I cried, eyes wide in shock at the damage he’d inflicted on Jag and Shawan’s home.

He turned and glared at me, but before he could say anything, my parents were at his side, escorting him down the hall and out the front door.

I followed close behind.

“What the fuck happened?” I yelled as we stalked along the lawn back to my dad’s car.

“I made a joke! It was a fucking joke. Jesus Christ, those people have no sense of humour,” he said, wiping his nose on the back of his hand.

I stopped and watched as my mom herded my brother into the car. “Sorry, Becky! We’ll take him to the hotel. He’s had a bit much to drink. Love you, sweetie. We’ll talk tomorrow. Please tell Jag and Sharon thank you and sorry, and we’ll pay for the damages.” Mom and Dad climbed in, shutting the doors with apologetic half-smiles.

“Her name is Shawan,” I mumbled, hugging myself as a chilly wind made its way across the blueberry fields.

Dev appeared behind me. “You okay?” He touched my shoulder, but I withdrew.

“I’m fine.” I turned to walk back towards the house. I needed a drink. Or several. My brother causing a scene hadn’t distracted me from the fact that he and Sonja were rubbing elbows at work every day of the week while I only got the occasional text or FaceTime call.

Dev was close behind. “Don’t worry about the fight, Rebecca. Trust me. It happens all the time at events like this. Moe has a big mouth sometimes. I’ll call your mom and dad tomorrow and apologize to them on his behalf.”

I shook my head, but didn’t look back at him. “Trust me, my brother got what was coming to him. He’s the one who should be apologizing.”

In the kitchen, I poured myself a big glass of wine as Sonja walked in through the back door.

“Hey, is your brother okay?” she asked.

I grimaced. “He’s fine, thank you. Want some wine?” I offered, having filled my glass up.

She held up her hand. “No thanks, I don’t drink.”

Of course, you don’t.

Miranda and Derek came in from outside. “What happened? I heard Kyle got in a fight?”

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