Page 11 of Untethered Heart
“Excuse me. It wasn’t my idea to fly before the sun, so how about you just redirect that anger elsewhere.” She folds her arms over her chest, daring me to challenge her further.
I open my mouth in retort, but my brother’s choked laugh over the aisle makes me pause and glare over at him. His huge frame is wedged in his seat, where he sits opposite Isabelle. His long legs stretch in front of him, with Isabelle’s tiny frame tucked into her seat, avoiding any contact. Her blonde ringlets are piledon top of her head and secured with a burnt orange scarf, and her pink stone necklace dangles around her neck as always. Once we reach cruising altitude, Gage will go catch up on sleep in the bed cabin, and hopefully, my sister will move over to Isabelle’s side.
“I have no problem with the early morning,” I say, bringing my attention back to my tyrant of a sister.
“Pretty sure he was just up too late,” Gage throws out, causing Beth’s face to scrunch in disgust.
“Eww.”
“You’re not usually so highly strung after your late nights, OG,” Isabelle says, and Beth releases an unladylike snort.
“OG?” she questions.
“Yeah, old and grey.” Isabelle pins her lips together, hiding that little chuckle she does every time I put on my glasses. Little shit thinks she’s so clever.
“I’m only thirty-four,” I grump.
“Yes, I know. You remind me every time I laugh when you put your reading glasses on.” Isabelle and Beth burst into laughter as I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. When I unlock it, I see notifications from the sibling group chat.
BETH:
Isabelle calls Caleb ‘OG’ and I vote we all use this new moniker
I scowl at my sister.What the fuck.I didn’t even see her take out her phone.
MASON:
Who’s Isabelle? Is she hot? Should I meet her?
MASON:
Btdubs, gangsters a bit of a stretch for the old boy.
Mason is our youngest brother, but he’s two years older than Beth, so they’re like two peas in a pod. They also work together at their building company, Two Hearts Homes, which is why Beth is accompanying us on this trip. As our interior designer, she'll show the High Rollers how we envision Gage’s whiskey lounge will fit seamlessly with the high-end brand they have cultivated through their casinos. Mason, however, works on the tools. He likes to use his hands.
GAGE:
No.
MASON:
No, she’s not hot?
GAGE:
Drop. It.
BETH:
I think Henry may have already moved in, Mase. And, it’s OG as in Old and Grey laughing-tears-emoji
MASON:
So, she’s smart and hot? …I’ve updated my phone, this mastery needs to be put in writing.
A deep rumble comes from across the plane—Gage’s displeasure at Beth using his real name. He’s been going by his middle name since he was eleven, but it amuses Beth to no end to tease him with it every now and then.
GAGE:
