Page 95 of My Brother's Best Men
On my way down to the lobby, I run into Raegan who looks like she’s really on cloud nine. But then again, she and my brother are staying here a few extra days to do honeymoon stuff, so I’m sure she really is excited to just soak up the sun with her husband.
My brother.
“Hey,” she says with a smile. “Home so soon, huh?”
I nod, trying to hold back my tears. “Yeah, this time tomorrow I’ll be back in Seattle. Signing papers for my new job.”
Raegan grins. “You took the job? That’s great!”
She hugs me and I can’t help the tears that fall.
“Congratulations! You must be so excited!”
I nod, wiping my tears.
“I’m so happy for you, Soph.”
That makes one person.
“Thanks,” I say.
“Text me when you get in, okay?”
I nod. “Of course.”
The ride to the airport is awkward. Too quiet.
Mom asks, “Are you okay, sweetheart? You seem a little…not like yourself.”
I shrug. “Tired. Hungover. Sad to be leaving Paradise.”
It’s not a complete lie. I am tired and slightly hungover. And I am sad to be leaving this beautiful place. And what it holds.
I know these memories will be hard to forget, but I need to forget them.
I should never have kissed Elijah.
Should never have let Benny seduce me.
And I sure as hell should never have taken Matthew’s virginity.
Maybe I’m an asshole too. Maybe I don’t deserve love, because clearly I can’t handle it.
“I got a new job, by the way,” I say, trying to change the subject.
“Well, I suppose it’s just as well. You need to get as far away from that Keaton as possible.”
“I thought you loved Keaton,” I drawl sarcastically. “Because he was so perfect.”
My mother sets her hand on my thigh. “I just want you to be happy, Sophia.” Her genuine softness is not lost on me.
My father meets my teary gaze. “No one’s perfect, honey. That’s the thing about love.” He looks at my mom with a soft smile. “You just have to keep choosing each other even in those not perfect moments.”
My mom gives him a sweet smile in return. “Well, some of us are quite close to perfect.”
I watch as he looks back at her with adoration, his gaze reminding me an awful lot of Matthew’s.
I have to look away to fight the urge to let my thoughts wander.
