Page 86 of A Vine Mess
Aria turned those blue eyes, exactly like each of her brothers’,on me and said, “Better than all this riff-raff.”
“Who you callin’ riff raff?” West asked, tossing a roll at his sister. Unfortunately, his aim was off, and it smacked me in the face instead. “Shit, man. I’m sorry. Don’t beat me up, please.”
I huffed out a laugh. “Why would I beat you up?”
“I don’t know. You’ve got that look in your eye like you could kill a man if provoked.”
“I hardly think taking a soft bread roll to the face is grounds for murder.”
Lane, who had dropped into the bench across from us and straddled it, stuck his fingers in his ears. “How many times do I have to tell you idiots not to talk about killing people in front of me?”
Finn snorted, joining the conversation for the first time since his other brothers started appearing. “You say that like you don’t know exactly the shit West and I got up to in the service.”
“What branch?” I asked.
“Army,” West supplied. “Rangers, to be exact.”
“Impressive.”
The twins shared a look before Finn said, “It was…something.”
A hauntedness passed over both of their expressions, and I knew they’d seen shit they’d never talk about with anyone as long as they drew breath.
Before I graduated high school, I’d briefly considered entering the service. Senior year had been particularly hellish, my dad on my ass constantly about making sure my grades were tip-top so I could get into a good school, get my MBA, and come back to workwith him.
Obviously, that was the absolute last thing I wanted to do with my life, had zero desire to walk any path that placed me under my father’s control. The military sounded like an ideal way to make a clean break from him in a way he couldn’t weasel me out of by throwing money at the problem until it went away.
Ultimately, I chose not to enlist, deciding facing college and finding a way out of the other shit down the line was the lesser of two evils, but I had a fuckton of respect for anyone who did.
Before the conversation could take another turn, Birdie returned with a stack of plates, silverware, and napkins, passing them out as she moved around the table.
“You staying, Lane?” she asked, not waiting for a response before she set a plate in front of him anyway.
“I’m on duty, so I’m not getting comfortable, but I won’t say no to a meal.”
“Good boy,” Birdie said, patting him on the shoulder before taking the spot next to him. “Nice of you to join us, Aria.”
“Whatever,” she said, rolling her eyes.
Birdie released an exasperated sigh, and Trey grumbled his sister’s name low in warning.
Aria merely glared in response.
“Let’s eat,” Birdie said, and all conversation ceased, the tension evaporating as we dug in.
Despite the gentle ribbing and petulance, there was a lot of love and respect to be found at that table. Conversation resumed as we piled our plates high, Ella and I content to watch and listen as the Lawlesses shared stories about the town and the ranch and their family. I knew from Ella that their father had passed away some years ago, and took care not to mention anything thatwould stir up bad feelings.
I was just happy to be there, surrounded by these people who clearly cared deeply for one another, but I’d be lying if the whole experience wasn’t a little bittersweet.
Bitter, because I hadn’t grown up around people like this, hadn’t had a nuclear family that acted like afamily.
But sweet because I was here now, because I got to live nights like these, with the Lawlesses here and with the Delatous back in Michigan.
When Birdie stood to serve dessert and the boys jumped up to clear dirty dishes, I turned to Ella and pressed a kiss to her temple.
“What was that for?” she asked, though she hummed happily and burrowed into my side.
“Just grateful to be here with you.”
