Page 80 of At First Smile
“JoJo.” Pen stands up.
“Just need to use the ladies.” With a tight smile, she places the book and spoon on the table before exiting the room.
Turning back to the screen, I glower at my oldest brother who stands, hands in pockets, staring forward. I open my mouth.
But Finn cuts me off, “You hurt her feelings, Gill. That wasn’t kind what you said.”
“I—” Tugging at the hem of his T-shirt, his stare shifts around Finn’s study.
“You should apologize.” Finn’s request is firm, but kind.
“No should about it,” I jump in with a snarl. “You will fucking apologize to JoJo.”
Narrowed gaze locked on the screen, he scoffs, “You’re telling me what I will do? The man who never apologizes for his actions.”
“Always the asshole.”
Pen squeezes my hand, her mouth set in a firm line.
“Enough you two.” With a loud exhale, Finn groans, “Did you want something, Gill?”
His stare pulls away from the laptop and to Finn. “Just letting you know I’m back. I didn’t realize you were doing a meet and greet with Rowan’swhatevershe is.” He waves at the screen.
Pen stiffens beside me.
My jaw clenches. “Pen. Her name is Pen.”
Face wrinkled, he shakes his head. “She’s the girl from the article, isn’t she?”
“What of it?”
“When Mam asked you about her, you said there’s nothing going on. You made it sound like she was just some random woman you met while traveling. This looks like more. I get not inviting me to this little party but lying to Mam about seeing someone and then not inviting her…seems cruel even for you. Don’t you think you’ve put our mother through enough?”
An old ache slices into me.
Arms crossed over his broad chest, he quirks an eyebrow. “Unless this is nothing and she really is just another randomwoman we hear about you being with on social media. For her sake, I hope not. She seems like a nice girl.”
“Gill.” Finn shakes his head.
“Fuck you!” I growl and go to stand, but Pen’s tight grip holds me in place. My stare falls on her.
Her lips wobble. “Rowan, please… Don’t.” It’s barely a whisper.
“Rowan, I got this,” Trina seethes. “How dare you! She’s not a random anything, you second-rate Bobby Flay wannabe. Despite what JoJo—who’s everyone’s type and you’d be goddamn lucky if she lowered herself for an amoeba of a man like you—said you arenotthe cutest brother, you are the dickiest one.”
“Again, not news,” he says, his tone steely.
Finn sloshes a long breath. “Gill, Rowan hasn’t told Mam yet because this thing with Pen is still new. I’m sure you of all people understand not telling our mother all aspects of a relationship. Considering she doesn’t know you’re separated from Layla, yet.”
Gillian just grunts.
“Um…” JoJo reappears, her eyes puffy and red. “I’m suddenly not feeling well. Might have overindulged on the pastries. I’m going to head out.” She scoops up her purse from the back of a chair.
Wes rises. “I’ll drive you.”
“Are you sure?”
Nodding, he loops his arm around her shoulder. “Totally. We can discuss our next dramatic reading showcase. I’m thinking next week, we tackle the pond scene from Heather and Jackson’s story.”
