Page 80 of Mark Us Little Bear
“Definitely not.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Nah, I had no idea.”
Everyone answers at the same time, dropping their gaze down immediately.
“Three, two…” Tiffany’s eyes go wider.
“Yeah, I caught him sneaking out a few hours ago,” Bradley confirms.
“And you didn’t tell me?”
“I gave him the lecture.”
“He even climbed to Kat’s window to deliver it,” Ryan adds.
“You could’ve prepared me. I was completely exposed to Melanie and her claws.” Her tone is soft yet her voice goes up and down to accentuate her point. “I love Kat. She’s Josh’s best friend.”
“So this whole fiasco is about Ryan and Kat. I knew about them months ago.” Cole drops on the couch, leaning backward as he crosses his hands over his chest. “From Melanie, it sounds like we’re a bunch of womanizers who came to steal her daughters. I hate to break it to her, but we’re one woman type of men. Loyal as steel. Except forBradley…“ he says the last word in a playful hesitation, taunting him.
“Shut up,” Bradley’s flip-flop finds its way toward Cole’s face before he jumps on him. It’s funny that I never saw him wearing flip-flops until we came here—it’s either socks or boots back home.
“Boys, calm down.” Tiffany orders. “The best gift your father could’ve left me is all of you, but most importantly, is your relationship. I want you to always love and care for each other no matter what. No matter where the road takes you, be there for one another, and we will know we’ve done our jobs right.”
“So no punishment for sneaking out to meet a girl…” Ryan’s eyes move between hers.
“No. You’re seventeen, you’re old enough to make your own decisions and I know you’re responsible for your actions, but, Melanie has been through a lot and I don’t know the whole story so you’ve got to be careful. She’s a mother. We can be overprotective when it comes to our kids.”
I wonder if she’s being overprotective or controlling like she’s trying to be with Amber.
“Let me ask you this,” Tiffany looks between the brothers, “How many of you already knew about this and talked with Ryan as big brothers?”
“They all did,” Ryan immediately confesses. “We didn’t do anything just had fun keeping each other’s company but I intend to see her again.”
“She really likes you.” Josh smiles, reassuring his brother. “She missed a few group meetings with our friends to spend her time with you.”
“I know I raised handsome studs, no shame. Own it. Don’t apologize for it. But you are worth so much more than your good looks and I’m sure the Turner girls see that.” A smile slowly reaches her soft eyes when they meet Amber’s.
“We got Mom’s good look and Dad’s sense of humor.” Ryan reaches to hug his mom.
“Are you insinuating I’m not funny enough?” She steps back and stares at him with expectant eyes.
“No… that’s not what I meant.” He lowers his voice to a whisper.
“Get out of here.” She pretends to kick his ass and snorts of laughter envelop us.
“We promise to always be there for each other.” Josh is the first to make a move and embrace them and the other brothers wrap their arms around each other.
“You too,” Tiffany signals Amber and me to join their big group hug and we step into the circle with a big smile.
I know he is afraid to hurt us too. I know that there is an intrinsic reminder within him that he will never forget. He will always look over his shoulder at that reaper he can’t get rid of. But all I want to say to him is “Let us in, baby, we’re not going to hurt you. I promise to tend your heart and shower you with all the love that resides in me.”
The words stare back at me with resolution. They are not mine. They belong tohim.I close my laptop and put it on the nightstand.
“I know you’re not sleeping,” I whisper, not wanting to wake Amber who sleeps softly between us but I slowly roll over to his side.
“So, what are you going to do about it?” His tantalizing eyes study mine, and a sense of understanding flashes between them. “You can ask me anything.”
