Page 142 of Playbook
“Okay,” she agrees with a laugh. “Thanks for letting me crash brunch. This was fun. It was nice to meet you, London.”
“You too.”
Brogan moves around to hug her. “Text me this week.”
They embrace like two people who are still figuring out their relationship, but if I know Brogan—and I do—he’ll do everything he can to make her feel special and welcome.
When she’s gone, my boyfriend takes a seat next to me. He’s grinning big and looks lighter and happier than I’ve ever seen him, which is saying something.
We’ve spent the past weeks talking a lot about his parents, how they were rarely around, so basic things like food and clothes weren’t always available. He had to learn how to do his own laundry at a really early age and he forged their signatures so he could get things at school like free lunch. The stories were heartbreaking and hard to hear. He spent one whole week without water or electricity because they left him to go to a concert in California, and forgot to pay the utility bills. He was seven.
And when they were home, they treated him like his presence was a burden, often kicking him out if he made too much noise or got in the way.
Then Rosie Holland took him in, and Archer and his brothers looked out for him all these years. There’s a lot of hurt there that he’s ignored, but he has so many people that want only the best for him. I hope Sabrina can be one of those people too.
“I like her,” I tell him. It’s true. By all accounts, she truly wants to get to know her brother and doesn’t have any ulterior motives. I hope I’m right. Even Archer can’t find any flaws in her story, and he has definitely been looking for them.
“Me too.” He shakes his head, eyes glinting with happiness. “It’s weird having someone that’s part of me. Blood family that doesn’t suck. I never thought I’d have that.”
I run a hand through his hair and rest my fingers at the nape of his neck.
“I know she didn’t grow up the same way I did, but it’s like she feels that same sense of loss that I do. I know I was lucky, don’t get me wrong. I wouldn’t change things if it meant not having the Hollands, but with her, I just feel like she gets it in a different way.”
“That makes sense,” I say. “Having a sister is a really unique and fun thing.”
“A sister.” He laughs. “She probably would have made my life hell growing up.”
“Like any good sister.” I bat my lashes.
He’s grinning like he’s still lost in the idea of Sabrina and what their life could have looked like together.
“You have lots of time for her to annoy and irritate you in all the ways sisters do.”
He leans forward and presses his lips to mine. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“I don’t know. Everything.”
“You’re welcome.” I take another sip of my mimosa. “Did Archer really ask her if she was a stripper?”
“Not exactly, but he definitely put his foot in his mouth.”
“He’s protective of you.”
He bobs his head in agreement. “I know, but once he gets to know her, he’ll come around. I’m not worried.”
“What did she say when he asked if she was a stripper?”
“He didn’t ask her, he signed it to me.”
My eyes widen. “And she knew?”
“Yeah.” He laughs. “Turns out she knows ASL. Totally called him on it.”
“I like her more and more.”
“Hey,” he says, angling his body toward mine and placing one knee between my legs. “I have an idea of how we can spend the rest of the day.”
