Page 6 of Comeback
Everyone loves Brogan’s fiancée. Including me. She’s the best. London looks out for him the same way my brothers and I always have. Which is why it confuses me that she’s so willing to let Sabrina back into their lives. She seems as happy as Brogan that she’s here.
Cody looks uncomfortable, but he plays along, and Sabrina moves her microphone between them so he can sing with her.
“That’s an interesting pairing,” Tripp says. I forgot he was standing here. I reach for the bottle of Jager. No use in pouring it in a tiny glass when what I want is a long drink.
I don’t know why I feel such a need to get drunk tonight, but I don’t bother trying to decipher it.
“Surprised you’re not over there fighting for her attention.” I slide my gaze to him. Tripp has made no effort to conceal that he thinks Brogan’s sister is hot.
He’s not wrong. She is hot. Something I’ve tried very hard not to notice but can’t deny.
Long red hair, big, brown eyes, and a mouth that perpetually looks like she’s just been kissed. She has these long legs and a grace about her, but she’s feisty and stubborn too. A combination that I have learned I like very much. I like it and I hate myself for it.
I still can’t believe Brogan didn’t tell me she was back or that he invited her tonight. When I opened the door, and she was standing there, I was shocked. And then pissed. Which is why I was so short with her. Okay, fine, I was a jerk. But leaving like she did was shitty.
“Too young for me. Also, Six told me I wasn’t good enough,” Tripp says.
I chuckle, a little of the tension lodged in my chest loosening. “He says that to everyone.”
“Has he said it to you?”
I hadn’t really thought about it, but I guess not. “He knows I’m not interested.”
“Why the hell not?” Tripp seems personally offended by my disinterest in Sabrina. I’ve tried to keep my dislike to myself, but I’m not sure how well I’ve succeeded.
“She’s his sister,” I say, which should be reasoning enough, but Tripp just shrugs it off.
I take another drink straight from the bottle, trying to erase all thoughts of my best friend’s hot sister. I’ve always thought of Brogan as a brother. We’ve been friends for so long, I barely remember a time when he wasn’t around. He’s the most loyal, trusting guy I know. He won’t protect himself, so I will do it for him.
Wait, if he’s my brother, does that make her my sister? My head spins trying to work logic in my current state.
When Brogan’s parents kicked him out at fourteen, he moved in with my family. And he never left. Fuck that was more than ten years ago. He’s not my brother by blood, but in all the ways that matter.
Liquor spills out of my mouth, down my throat and to the front of my shirt. Fuck. That might be my cue to stop for the night. Leaving Tripp to stare at everyone’s favorite newcomer, I head to my room.
I pull my shirt over my head and toss it toward the laundry basket, then do a little fist pump when it lands perfectly in the basket.
Movement draws my attention back to the door. Sabrina stands there, laughing I assume by the way her lips curve up and her body shakes, but I can’t hear it.
The large speakers in my room blast the music for the party, making the floor vibrate along with the bass.
Slowly her gaze drops from my face to my bare upper body.
“Are you lost?” I ask as I move over to my closet and pull out another clean shirt. Except I don’t watch her mouth so I’m not sure if she answers.
Sabrina invades my space, walking over to my desk and scanning the open laptop screen. I hang back, watching her unabashedly. She’s taller than any girl I’ve dated, five-nine or so, but I still have a few inches on her. Her long, red hair hangs down her back in a thick curtain. She’s lean and toned and graceful in her every move.
She turns her head to meet my gaze. “This is a good playlist.”
This time I’m ready to read her lips, but she must realize it’s nearly impossible to actually hear her right now because she says it again, this time signing. Her fingers move a little slow, like she’s out of practice or does it so infrequently that she has to think through how to sign each word.
After our earlier interaction, I did not expect her to waltz in here and compliment my music selection. Her niceness is unnerving. I don’t want her to be nice. I want her to make a choice to be in Brogan’s life or not and then act accordingly.
“Thanks,” I say, not signing back. I take a step back to the party, but Sabrina doesn’t move. Her gaze moves around the room, taking in the space. There isn’t a lot in here besides the bed, desk, and stereo equipment. The only time I really spend in here is to sleep.
Her stare comes back to me, and she smiles, cheeks flushed from the alcohol.
“I want us to get along,” she says finally. She takes a few steps toward me. “For Brogan.”
