Page 63 of It Happened Back Then
I meet his glare. “Lief, I'm telling you. Savannah’s the type who could wreck a weekend. But Blossom? Blossom would wreck my life if she left.”
"Yousureabout that?"
"I’ve never been more sure of anything."
“Does she know that?”
“She should.”
“Should?”
“I’ll make sure she does.”
Silence stretches between us. Finally, Lief huffs a bitter laugh, shoving me one more time before backing away.
"I spent the last fifteen years trying to keep my sisters safe. After my dad died, I became the man of the house, and it was my job to step up. I failed them by leaving. When I came back, I swore it would be the last time any man didn’t do the right thing by them.” He stares me dead in my eyes. “Do you understand what I’m saying?”
I nod once. "You won't have to come find me, Lief. I’m already here. And I'm not going anywhere."
Lief holds my stare for another long second. "You’re a good guy, Bennett. I’m glad it’s you.”
"Thanks." My voice is choked because I know that was a lot for him to admit .
Lief slaps the side of my arm before yanking me closer to him. "Good. Because if you fuck this up," he smiles wide in my face, "Iwon’t be the only one coming after you. Meadow’s got a sick left hook."
I laugh but know he’s one hundred percent right. "That’s what I'm afraid of."
Cole chuckles nervously. “Good to know.”
Lief glances at him. “I don’t even have to give you the big brother talk. If anything, I should warn you to leave.”
“Wow, that was some serious big bro energy.” Drake comments. “I’m glad we had our little talk in a public place.”
We all laugh, and Cole passes out a round of shots. “Now that we’ve cleared the air, can we get this party started?”
“Hell yeah!” we cheer together and down the shots. I take a breath and realize this is the start of the rest of my life.
Crazy brothers and all.
CHAPTER 33 - BLOSSOM
Tonight is Drake’s bachelor party, so I invited January and Lily, Meadow, Courtney, and Mom over for pizza at my apartment. Meadow and Mom know, but I’m going to tell everyone else I’m pregnant. I’m done keeping secrets, and I’m sure Lily will be excited to be a big cousin.
I hear a knock on the door and glance at the clock. It’s an hour earlier than I told everyone to come. When Mom pokes her head in, I’m relieved it’s her. "Hey, sweetheart. I’m a little early. I thought I could come help you set up."
I give her a hug and we head to the kitchen. “Thanks. I’m really kind of exhausted.”
She laughs. “Yes, the first trimester is the worst. Tired and nauseated. Not a good combo.”
“Definitely not.”
We open up the cute dinnerware I got from the party store. Even though it’s not her bachelorette party, I always love making things a little special for Lily when we’re all together. She loves to party.
“So, did you talk to Bennett?”
“Jumping right into it, huh?” I laugh.
“I’m your mother, I’m allowed to ask.” She smiles. “How did it go?”
