Page 54 of Impulsive Saint
“I don’t know why that should surprise me.”
“It shouldn’t.”
“You don’t have to worry about me. I’m fine. Just think of it like I’m away on a job. I’m sorry I couldn’t be there to hug you and Millie when you got back today though.”
“No worries. Hugs wouldn’t be a great idea right now anyway. Mills and I got so sunburned our last day out that we look like lobsters.”
Tyler laughed, “Sunburns? Seriously? And here I thought you two wouldn’t be able to keep your clothes on long enough to leave your cabana and enjoy the sun.”
“Not keeping our clothes is what led to the worst part of the sunburn if you catch my drift.”
“Ouch.” Tyler laughed.
“Tell me about it.”
“No, please god, do not tell me any more details about your honeymoon.” Tyler pleaded playfully, “But on a more serious note, you sound happy. I’m happy for you. You should be enjoying a relaxing evening with your wife on your first night back home, not calling to check up on me.”
“Oh shut it. Millie’s in the tub soaking in some weird oatmeal bath that’s supposed to help with the sunburn and she said I wasn’t invited to join her so I have time to talk to my little brother. Tell me what I missed while we were away.”
“I’m sure Vaughn’s already told you what you missed.” Tyler grumbled.
“He told me the big wedding of the year didn’t happen. Said you absconded with the runaway bride and are on a road trip to Vegas with her while the ditched at the altar groom has gone into hiding at some ski lodge in the mountains and Isaac is stuck playing babysitter with him to make sure he doesn’t do something stupid.” Hunter snorted. “Sounds like I missed a hell of a lot.”
“You did.”
“How are you holding up? I can’t imagine playing chauffer to Princess Peach has been a bucket of fun for you even if you do get to ride your motorcycle halfway across the country. You always wanted to do that didn’t you?”
“Yeah.” Tyler admitted through a clenched jaw, “But don’t call her that. Her name is Ashtyn.”
“Oh yeah?” Hunter’s tone went curious just that fast and Tyler sighed.
“Yeah. She’s uh… she’s not what I imagined, not anything like what her file says about her actually.”
“If I remember correctly her file painted her as the perfect politician’s daughter. Shy, quiet, reserved, not at all the type to run out on her wedding, hop on a motorcycle with a complete stranger and never look back so yeah, I’m sure you’re right.”
“She’s definitely not shy or quiet but it’s more than that. She’s smart and sarcastic and funny as hell. She’s got this bucket list of crazy things she wants to do in her life so we’ve been knocking some of them out along the way. We went rock climbing in Oklahoma City and man, Hunt. She’s fearless, determined too. She doesn’t back down from a challenge and…”
“Oh my God.” Hunter sounded awed when Tyler trailed off and he knew immediately that he’d said too much.
“What? What is it?” Tyler heard Millie’s soft voice in the background and groaned. He didn’t know if his brother had walked into the bathroom so he could bring his new wife into the conversation or if Millie had gotten out of the tub at the sound of her husband’s shocked expression.
“It’s Ty.” Hunter’s voice was muffled as he spoke to his wife.
“Oh.” Millie raised her voice, “Hey Tyler!”
“No. You don’t understand. It’s Ty and he’s telling me all about the runaway bride he’s been driving cross country with.”
“Yeah? Is it awful?” Millie responded and Tyler rubbed his forehead where a headache was beginning to sprout.
“Um, hello! Can you not talk about me like I’m not on the other end of the phone? I can hear you both.”
“Sorry.” Hunter’s voice came back fully as he clearly put the phone back to his ear. “I was just so surprised I had to tell Mills.”
“Surprised about what?” Tyler insisted.
“That you’ve got a thing for Princess Peach.” Hunter chuckled and then must have caught Tyler’s growl because he corrected himself. “Sorry. Sorry. Ashtyn Echols. You’ve got a thing for Ashtyn Echols.”
“Oh, Tyler? Really?” Millie’s voice sounded wary. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? She did just leave her last boyfriend at the altar? Maybe it’s not wise to…”
