Page 58 of Defended By Bam
Linny’s face turned pink. “I mentioned we were coming and she asked me yesterday where we were staying.”
Linny and Allie texted a bit. I never took Linny with me when I visited and only had been out to visit and make a drop a couple of times since the girls came. We couldn’t risk either of them being recognized that close to her ex. But Allie checked in on her so I arranged for them to chat, so I didn't have to be the middleman.
“I’m shocked she came,” I said as I leaned up, reaching over the side of the bed for my boxer-briefs.
As I pulled them on, she stretched and the door opened again, this time a tinier person at the door.
Sofie shuffled in, and I quickly tugged my jeans on. Completely unbothered at seeing me in my underwear, she walked over and put her arms out. I leaned down and picked her up. “Hey there. You’re up early.”
She lazily blinked. “I heard a loud bang.”
Linny tucked her lips in and reached over the side of the bed then tugged my shirt on and stood up. “Hey, sweet girl. Why don’t you go downstairs, and I’ll be right down to fix you breakfast.”
I kissed her temple, then put her down and she hugged Linny before shuffling back out of the room. Linny giggled thenwrapped her arms around me. “We probably need to lock the door.”
Popping a kiss on her forehead, I smacked her ass then said, “I’ll go make some coffee and make nice with Allie.” I loved my sister, but she was still my sister and moderately annoying. She also made sure I never forgot who was older.
When I got to the kitchen, which was open to the spacious living room, coffee was already made, and Glenda was cuddling with Sofie as they watched cartoons. “Whoever made this, thank you.”
“It was me,” Allie said with a sniff.
“You tweakin’?” I asked, pulling two mugs down and filling them, grabbing the creamer for Linny’s.
“Hey, it's Thunder Beach. Everyone’s fucked up. I wanted to make the drive before weekend traffic got bad, so I had a few bumps.”
“Not me. Not them,” I said as I motioned to the couch.
Allie’s face turned and her eyes softened at Glenda. “I suppose not. I’m not using like that, though, Bama. Promise. Just cutting up for the beach.”
I put my arm around her shoulders and tugged her close. “Sorry I was snippy. But don’t be knockin’ like the fucking police.”
“I know, I know. I was just excited to see you.”
Linny came in, the smell of toothpaste filling my nose. “Hey, Allie.”
Allie freed from my grasp and grabbed Linny’s hands, holding them up. “You look great. I love this new hair,” she said, still surveying her. They talked and texted but I wasn’t sure if they shared pics and Linny didn’t have social media. The last time Allie saw her in person was the first night I met her and she was in rough shape. The memory set my blood aflame.
“You okay, brother?” Allie asked.
Linny pressed her palm to my arm. “What’s wrong?”
Smiling, I answered, “Nothing. Just still waking up. Someone disturbed my peace this morning.”
Allie wrapped her arms around me, rocking me side to side. “I’m sorry. Won’t do it again.”
I pulled away, reaching for the filled mugs. “Did you just go knocking on all the doors?” I asked as I handed Linny her coffee and sipped mine.
Allie left the kitchen and walked around the counter. “Someone tipped me off where to find you.”
Glenda was grinning, but I just rolled my eyes. “Well, glad you came down. We’re leaving tomorrow, though.”
She shrugged. “Maybe I’ll find someone to let me crash with them Saturday. Or maybe I’ll drive home. We’ll see.”
I heard muffled yelling from upstairs, then heavy footsteps coming down the steps. “What the fuck is all this rack–” Hammer, only wearing jeans, stopped when he rounded the corner and locked eyes with Allie. “Oh…hey.”
Lighter footsteps followed so we all looked back to see who it was. A blonde with unruly hair, a red dress that looked painted on, and racoon eyes was tiptoeing down and stopped when she realized we were all staring.
Allie grabbed a pack of smokes that was sitting on the breakfast bar and stomped outside, slamming the door.
