Page 138 of Of Pucking Course

“Thank you for acknowledging that.”

He clears his throat. “I won’t lie. It’s gonna be hard for me to just sit back and not interfere. I’ve done it for so long. But I realize now that I need to stop. So I will.”

Relief washes over me. I know it won’t be easy for my big brother to change his behavior. But the fact that he’s willing to make the effort and do it is what matters.

“Thanks, Del.”

He nods. “If you ever need anything, you know I’m here for you. Always.”

“I know.” I clear my throat. “And I promise we’ll be fully clothed the next time you come over.”

My grumpy big brother winces. “Thanks.”

He stands up. I hop up and hug him.

“You have my support. One hundred percent,” Del says.

I smile, warmth coursing through me.

“Will you tell that to Sam?” I ask.

“Yeah. I owe him an apology too,” he says.

We break apart. “I’ll get him for you.”

I walk out of the living room and down the hall to Sam’s bedroom. I knock on his door and he answers right away.

His blue-green eyes radiate concern. “How did it go?”

I smile. “Really well. He wants to apologize to you.”

“Oh yeah, I bet,” Sam mumbles.

I grab his hand. “Hey. It’s okay. Trust me.”

He drops a quick kiss on my lips and walks off.

Chapter 48

Sam

When I walk into the living room, I see Del standing in front of the couch, his expression unreadable.

My nerves fire off inside of me. May as well get this over with.

I walk up to him. I roll my shoulders and stretch out my neck.

He frowns. “What are you doing?”

“Getting ready for you to punch me.” My muscles tense. “One good punch to the face. Or the gut. Whatever you want. I won’t hit you back, of course.”

He just looks at me. “I’m not gonna punch you, Sam.”

I still. “You’re not?”

He shakes his head and lets out a breath, his shoulders falling slightly with the movement.

“I won’t lie. I wanted to punch you when I first walked in here. But then my sister talked some sense into me.”

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