Page 48 of Rebellious

And we do just that. Cade standing in the shadows as I fight my battles alone. And when I can’t lift the bat anymore… he walks me home, making sure I’m tucked in safely, just like he’s done my entire life.

“Mornin’, princess.”

Dad kisses the top of my head, plucking the strawberry from my fingers and tossing it in his mouth.

I frown. “Good morning.”

A smirk plays at the corner of his mouth. “You helping B cook?” He eyes the kitchen island, the one I’m currently sitting on.

“I’m feeding the little brother you strapped us with,” I return, reaching back into the bowl and grabbing a new strawberry. “Someone has to teach him his mouth is for eating.”

“Shut up, Asp.” Fenn quips. “Toss me another one.”

Dad’s brows furrow as he watches me judge the angle and toss the strawberry into Fenn’s awaiting mouth. “He could choke,” Dad notes, watching as Fenn chews the fruit and swallows.

I shrug. “I’m waiting to hear a reason to stop.”

Aunt B gasps from behind me. “Aspen!”

My dad throws his head back and laughs a deep, jovial sound. “I’ve missed you two.” He looks at Fenn, all puffed up and pissy. “Where were you last night?”

Fenn sits up straighter. “Here.”

Dad plucks a piece of bacon off his plate. “Here, as in the state or on the property?”

An exasperated sigh seeps out of Fenn. “Here in the state. I didn’t think I needed to report my whereabouts to you.”

My father chews, acting like he and my brother are discussing the weather. “You don’t. However, you take that tone with me again and I’ll shove that—”

“Good morning!” Mom interrupts with her abundance of energy.

“Mornin’,” I return, watching as my father and Fenn glare at one another.

Mom follows my gaze. “Did I interrupt something?”

Yes.

“No,” says my dad sweetly. “Fenn was just telling us about his night.”

“Oh,” Mom sits down, rubbing her hands together eagerly. “What did you do?”

Fenn groans. “Come on. Really?”

“Really,” Dad adds. “Let us live vicariously through you.” He’s kidding. No way does my dad give two shits what my brother did last night. He knows something. The question is, what?

“Stop giving him a hard time, Von Bremen.” Cade strides in with Bennett following behind.

I try not to glare at Bennett. Even though Cade and I worked out our pent-up anger, it doesn’t mean more didn’t build up overnight.

“Jameson,” Dad clips. “Worry about your own demons.”

Cade winks at me and tips his chin. “How’s your shoulder this morning?”

The entire kitchen falls silent.

“Uh, it’s—”

“What’s wrong with your shoulder?”

---