Chapter 14
Lennox
Mom is in the middle of making Sunday dinner. I usually help, but I can barely move today. I’m still finding new bruises from falling down the stairs yesterday.
I open the freezer and pull out an ice pack. I shut it, then jump when I see the twins standing there.
“Heard you and Grant got your butts kicked by a Christmas tree,” Sean says and tries to put a Santa hat on me.
I swat it out of his hand, and it falls to the ground. Why does mom still invite them over for family dinner?
“I heard they were wrestling, and the tree wanted to join in,” Trent says, and they both laugh.
I don’t. I haven’t heard the end of this since it happened yesterday. Everyone’s versions are different, but mom's telling of the story is always the same. People hear what they want to hear.
I slam my ice pack on the counter and my brothers jump. “What do you want from me?”
The twins look at me, then at each other. “I think she’s on her period,” Sean attempts to whisper.
All I see is red.
“You would know, right, Sean?” Grant steps up beside me, and just like that, my anger fades away.
I look at him and at my brothers, who seem just as surprised as I do. My heart is beating a million miles an hour. So this is what it feels like to have someone stick up for me.
“Let’s see who’s crying like a girl when I kick your butt.” Sean retorts.
Grant sends me a wink, then smirks at Sean. “Think you can take me down or do you want to go ask the tree for advice?”
Sean stands up straighter, and it’s almost comical when he pushes his chest out. “Let’s find out who’s the real man.” He leads the way to the back patio.
Grant shoots me a smile then trails after him.
I find myself following them to the door, but instead of continuing to the grass with them, I stay inside the back door. The stupidity of their “real men” competitions never ceases to amaze me. I don’t know how many times one of them has ended up with a bloody nose or worse. But somehow they always come up laughing and smiling.
I don’t understand men.
“Hey,” Juliet says right behind me. “What just happened?”
I shake my head because I don’t even know.
I watch Sean shake out his arms, while Grant just stands there smiling.
“I only have one older brother, so I can’t completely relate to what the guys put you through, but I know, deep down, they really do love you. They just have a weird way of showing it.”
I blink and turn to face her. “Sorry. Say that again. I think just hallucinated.”
She nudges my arm and starts playing with her hair. “Sometimes brothers just need a kick in the pants to realize that their baby sister isn’t a baby anymore. Which is why you’re doing this thing with Noa.”
“Yeah.” I nod and sigh. “I just wish I didn’t have to pretend to be engaged to make them see me.”
“They’re just slow learners.” She smiles. “Now, are you and Noa all set up for Saturday?”
I turn back to the show outside. Sean is trying to get the first move on Grant, but Grant keeps skirting his grabs. “Um? I guess.”
“Well, are you or aren't you? Your brothers won't believe it unless you sell it. You got to make them believe you’re in love.”
“How am I supposed to do that?” I ask half-heartedly.
