Page 49 of We Thought We Knew It All
“I’m sure it will. Sweetheart, is there somewhere we can talk?” he asked. “I hate to spoil the fun, but there’s a reason I came early other than missing you and I’d like to get it out of the way.”
He was direct. I liked that.
She nodded toward the kitchen and he followed her. Needing a bit of air, I stepped outside and sat on the front stoop.
Sounds from inside drifted toward me, happy and fun, but I couldn’t shake my holiday memories.
Dad yelling.
Jay defending him.
Jay’s mom refusing to look at me.
He didn’t usually hit me during our celebrations. No, he waited until the next day. Dad never hit me hard. He never broke anything or caused permanent bruising, but it was enough.
The door opened behind me, and Jay stepped out. I didn’t say anything as he leaned against the pillar and crossed one foot over the other.
“I miss him,” he said.
My bad hand froze up. I massaged it to try to keep my calm.
Jay continued. “I hate that I miss him, Jamie. Especially now. Holidays were the worst time in our house, weren’t they?”
“Only because we had to pretend to be a family,” I scoffed.
“You know, I sometimes thought we actually were a family. But you never did, did you?”
“Not since I was eleven.”
He sighed. “I’m sorry.”
“If you keep apologizing, I might have to turn my Ranger training on you again.”
He laughed, but stopped abruptly. “Who’s that?”
I looked across the street to where two cars had pulled up. A man got out of the first dressed even better than I was. His suit was obviously designer and fitted. His Ray Bans were pushed up into his short black hair.
The man that got out of the second car, an SUV, wore jeans and a polo. His long copper hair was tied back.
I got to my feet and Jay stood up straight beside me.
“Can we help you?” I hollered at them as they walked up the driveway eyeing each other. It was obvious they hadn’t come together.
“Hello.” The well-dressed man said with a broad smile. Confidence oozed from him with every step. “I’m looking for my wife.”
Jay laughed. “Well, the only married woman in there is my wife, soooo…”
“Um.” I glanced sideways at my brother. “That’s not exactly true.” I looked back at the man. “Your name wouldn’t be Dean, would it?”
His smile widened, showing perfectly white teeth. “That’s me.”
“What about my wife?” The second man had now caught up, and he looked directly at Jay as his Australian accent rang out. I watched as recognition showed on Jay’s face. He gave me a panicked look then sighed and opened the door.
I had no clue what the hell was going on, but I figured we were about to find out.
As soon as the four of us were through the door, Morgan’s scream sounded through the house. Her face had gone white. She dropped the plate of crackers she’d been carrying, sending them scattering across the floor.
“Hi, baby.” Dean’s smile didn’t waver at her reaction. “Miss me?”
