Page 38 of Hibiscus Heights

Duke would be getting antsy, but she had to know the truth.

10

Minutes later, Deb pulled into the exclusive Crown Island Country Club. Nodding to an attendant she knew, she left her car at the curb. By now, her father and three of her brothers would have finished their regular Wednesday afternoon golf game.

She took a shortcut through the side entrance past throngs of members chatting. Quickly, she spied her family members sitting at a table having drinks in their golf attire. She strode toward the table and stopped, her hands on her hips.

Her father looked up, startled to see her. “Deb, has something happened?”

She was so angry she spat out her words. “Which one of you talked to Grant Emerson—and didn’t give me his messages?”

Randy held up his hands, deflecting her anger. “Whoa, who’s Grant Emerson?”

A guilty look crossed David’s face. “The summer guy Deb fell for a long time ago. You remember.”

“That’s been years ago,” her father said, looking perplexed. “Why bring it up now?”

“Grant is back,” Deb said. “After he had to leave so suddenly, he tried to call me at least ten times. Grant said he talked to you—” she swatted David on the shoulder, “and you,” she finished, grabbing Randy by the collar. He was the largest of her brothers, but he didn’t scare her.

“Hey, hey,” Randy said, shrinking away from her. “I probably forgot. Geez, what does it matter now?”

David glared at his brother. “You didn’t forget anything. You threatened me if I ever told her. This is all on you, big brother.”

She whipped back to David. “What are you, a wimp? You’re not getting out of this either. Why would you do everything Randy told you to do?”

“I don’t,” David replied, sputtering. “Not anymore.”

“Listen to yourselves,” their father said with disgust. “Bickering like you’re still kids.”

Deb wasn’t backing down; she wouldn’t give her brothers any leeway. “I didn’t start this, Dad. They cost me the love of my life, and for what, a joke? It wasn’t funny.”

“Now, Deb, don’t be so dramatic,” Randy began, but she cut him off.

“Don’t you start with me,” she said, shaking her finger at him. “I missed so many chances with other nice guys for years because you thought sabotaging my relationships was a sport, and you were all keeping score. No one stood a chance against a pack of wild animals. Every guy married another woman, and half of them are members of this club, so I have to see them every week.”

Two men at an adjacent table nodded. “She’s right about that,” one of them said. “Remember Seth?”

Their father quieted the two men with a stern glance before turning a withering glare on his sons. “Deb has a point. Your mother and I warned you about your behavior many, many times.”

Infuriated, Deb flung out her arms. “Every time someone asks me why I’m not married, it’s because of all of you. Well, I’m not playing this game anymore.”

“Hey, what about this new guy—” Randy snapped his fingers. “Matteo, right? We’ll call him and make it right with him.”

Deb smacked her forehead. “Oh, you didn’t.”

“We just ran into him,” Randy said.

“Here at the club for lunch,” David finished. “It was business. He’s trying to sell his wine here.”

Their father nodded. “But your sister’s name came up, right?”

Randy blew out a breath. “I’ll talk to him and set him straight.”

Deb jabbed a finger at Randy’s chest. “You. Will. Not. You’re a big, inconsiderate oaf.” She sliced the air with her hands. “I’m finished with all of you.”

She turned on her heel and stormed out, disregarding the curious looks of other club members.

Besides, they all knew her brothers.

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