Page 81 of Before You
“Why wouldn’t I be?” I counter, maintaining my poker face better this time than I did with Asher earlier. It helps I have sunglasses on now, though.
He shrugs, leaning against the edge of the pool. “I just want you to know it’s okay if you’re not.”
“My knee’s fine,” I say, dragging a wet hand through my hair.
“Not talking about your knee, but I’m glad it is,” he says, and I can’t have this conversation for a second time today. “I mean up here,” Henry clarifies, tapping a finger to the side of his head. “It’s not fair you get all the pressure of being the only one B talks to.”
“It is what it is,” I say, trying to gauge if there’s an underlying meaning to this I’m not catching on to.
“It’s not, JJ. I know they all think it, but if they haven’t said it, thank you for answering when he calls. I’m sure it’s not easy.”
“He’s my brother.”
Henry’s smile is sad as he adjusts his shades. “I’ll tell you the same thing I’ve told Mira—he’s your brother, but you’re not his keeper.”
“What are you saying? I shouldn’t answer when he calls?” I ask, my anxiety trembling at the idea of letting it go to voicemail.
“No. I’m saying regardless of how this all shakes out, you’re not responsible for Bailey’s choices,” he says as Hunter hits the water with a smack, the rotation of his flip too slow, and my back stings watching it happen. Mirabelle laughs from the end of the pool, and I hear Marley’s quieter one join in. “Hunt, I’m not even going to dignify that with a rating. Do better,” Henry says after Hunter surfaces.
“My name’s Henry and I got my degree in English so I can use big words no one understands,” Hunter mocks, causing Henry to chuckle.
“If you don’t know what the word dignify means, maybe you should read more instead of insulting my degree. Aren’t you getting a little old to throw temper tantrums?” Henry asks, his tone teasing.
I slip under the water for a moment, popping up in time to hear Hunter’s response. “Aren’t you getting old in general?”
Henry laughs, the sound a full belly one. “Kaitlyn’s rubbing off on you,” he says, a rare full smile showing, and I shake my head.
“Better than rubbing him off,” Asher quips, too busy laughing at his own joke to see how Henry’s expression changes, but I do.Holy fuck, please tell me he didn’t just say what I think I heard.
Hunter’s face turns flaming red, and he gapes at Asher while my eyes nearly bug out of my head.
My best friend’s smile fades, finally realizing how everyone is looking at him. “What?” he asks, but no one says anything, too stunned to speak. Shit, I better not be guilty by association. “Obviously, I stuck my foot in my mouth, but it’s a joke.”
Mirabelle coughs, trying to cover up her laugh. “Um, yeah, a joke you just made about Henry’s little sister giving her boyfriend a hand job.”
“Oh my god, sometimes I hate being in this family,” Hunter says, dragging a hand over his face as he walks to the cooler by the grill where our dad is shaking his head, laughing silently.
“His girlfriend is your sister?” Asher’s head snaps to look at Henry, his face paling. “Would it help if I said sorry?”
“No, it really wouldn’t,” Henry says, his jaw flexing as he crosses his arms over his chest. “How about you don’t talk about my sister in general.”
“Great advice.”
“Dinner’s ready,” Dad calls out, and I bet Asher’s wishing it were done a few minutes ago. I take the seat next to Marley, reaching it only a second before Mirabelle does. I stick my tongue out at Mira as she rolls her eyes, plopping into the seat next to Dad instead as Henry grabs another beer.
“Did you really just stick your tongue out at your sister because you got to sit by me?” Marley asks, her eyes glimmering in the sunlight.
“Absolutely, sweetheart,” I say, leaning over to kiss her cheek chastely as her cheeks flush.
“Henry used to be the one stuck in the middle,” Mom teases, the corners of her eyes crinkling as she smiles.
“Apparently I’m old news now, haven’t you heard?” Henry says, the dry tone causing Dad to laugh.
“You’re not old news, babe,” Mirabelle says.
“If Henry’s considered old, your father is ancient then,” Mom says, winking at Dad.
I can feel Asher’s gaze lingering on me, and he’s going to make it too damn obvious something’s up.
