Chapter Twenty-One #2
I wanted to ask her why she hadn’t texted, but instead, I stepped up beside Miles and said, “I’m glad you still came.”
She met my gaze. “Me too. I should’ve texted you, but I was rushing so much that I didn’t even think about it until we were walking up the sidewalk.”
That made me snort. “No worries.”
She nodded. “Anyway, this is my fiancé, Nash.”
“Good to meet you,” the guy standing next to my sister said in a deep voice.
Miles nodded and moved aside, gesturing them inside. “You too.”
When Maggie came in, she scanned the place before her eyes landed on me again, and she smiled. Then she walked over and pulled me into a big hug. “Good to see you, big brother.”
“You too, sis.”
Nash shook my hand and was all smiles as he took in Miles’s home. He seemed really nice, and from the look on Miles’s face, the guy had good energy.
I wasn’t sure if my boyfriend knew it or not, but whenever someone around him gave off bad vibes or bad, strong emotions, he got a little wrinkle in his brow that I always wanted to rub out. The fact that he didn’t have that and was even smiling slightly put this guy ahead of many others.
That was definitely a good sign for my sister.
I gestured for them to follow me into the dining room. “Come on in and meet everyone and eat. Please eat. We have so much food.”
We walked into the dining room, and Maggie’s eyes widened. “Wow. You made all this?” She looked at me, and I shook my head.
“Not me. Miles. He’s been cooking for two days straight.”
Of course Miles blushed at that, but he just shrugged and pointed at the table. “Help yourselves. Hopefully it tastes okay.”
“Well, it smells delicious in here, so I’m sure it’ll be great.”
He smiled, then pointed everyone out. “Guys, this is Win’s sister, Maggie, and her fiancé, Nash. This is Lyric—I’m told you should remember them—Aeson, and Chaos.”
My sister’s eyebrows rose at the last name, but all she did was smile and offer a small wave. “Nice meeting you all. And yes, of course I remember Lyric. How are you doing? It’s been a long time.”
Lyric didn’t respond, and I frowned at my best friend.
After a few awkward seconds, I said, “Lyr?”
They sighed and faced me. “The last time I saw her, she was… ugh. Nevermind. I’ll be civil, but don’t expect me to make friends with someone who betrays people so easily.”
The breath knocked out of my lungs, Aeson gaped, Chaos’s eyes went wide, but he looked half-amused, Miles reached out and grabbed my hand, and Nash grimaced, looking extremely uncomfortable.
And my sister, she stared at Lyric for a long moment before she sighed and said, “That’s fair. But just so you know, I’m really sorry for what happened, and I… I’ve missed you too.”
Lyric stared at her for a moment, then gave a single nod and turned away, but I saw the look on their face.
They were upset, and I realized with a start that they’d been really hurt by Maggie, by my entire family too.
Of course they had. We’d grown up at each other’s houses.
Lyric was a part of the family, and when they chose me, they’d lost my parents and siblings the same way I had.
Thinking about that made me grimace because I hadn’t really given Lyric much choice about being here with Maggie today.
I started to walk over there, but Miles stopped me. He shook his head, leaned in, and whispered so only I could hear, “They don’t want anyone paying attention to them right now. They need a minute.”
My eyebrows rose, and he shrugged, looking embarrassed. “The second you let go of my hand, I felt it. I… their emotions were too strong.”
I nodded, then glanced at Lyric, who was picking at their plate, not looking at anyone.
Then, to my surprise, Chaos got up and moved to the open chair beside Lyric.
He quietly asked them a question, and Lyric latched onto it, turning away from us to face Chaos, petting Clucky and offering her bits of food.
After a few seconds, Chaos looked over Lyric’s shoulder and winked at me, and all I could do was stare at him as warmth filled me.
Good god, those kids were so damn sweet.
I mouthed, Thank you, and he nodded.
Miles squeezed my hand, and I had no doubt that he’d caught that whole exchange.
“Let’s get some food,” I suggested, breaking the tension and hopefully distracting Maggie and Nash from Lyric.
Maggie moved closer to me and whispered, “Should Nash and I leave? I don’t want to make everyone uncomfortable, especially… especially your… family.”
My throat threatened to close up at that, so all I did was shake my head no.
After a beat, I cleared my throat. “No, I… I want you here, and Lyric will be okay.” I knew they would.
If they’d had a true problem with me reconnecting with my sister, they would’ve brought it up long before tonight.
They weren’t quiet about their opinions on…
anything. Especially when it concerned someone they cared about.
“You sure?”
I sent her a small smile. “Yeah, I’m sure. Come on, let’s eat. I’ve already had… a lot of food, but it’s so good that I want more.”
She snorted and followed me to the table, tugging Nash with her.