After only a month of living in South Carolina, we learned Molten was the place to be. Small-town living in a big city. It’s nice. I used to live on the west side so I was the closest I could be to the arena since I am there almost every day. But when Lana burned down our house, I decided I needed a big change, so I moved to the east side. The east side has a beach, and man, is it gorgeous. After moving in to my little bungalow four days ago, I can’t help but think I’d rather have started taking the extra fifteen-minute ride to the arena a while back. The ocean alone is worth the time it takes to get there.
Since I haven’t been on this side of town long, I haven’t had a chance to hit up Perk Me Up. I love me some coffee, and so does Merry. We head inside, and it’s got a groovy kind of feel to it. Very hippie-dippie.
“They probably have special brownies.”
He’s such a dork.
As we head to the counter, though, something catches my eyes. Better yet, someone. Someone I know. Her long brown hair flows down her back in beautiful, thick curls. Her arms aren’t as toned as I remember, and I need to know if she still has those thighs and ass that do not stop. Her lashes are long, kissing her rosy cheeks, and she speaks quickly into her phone. Her lips are thick and a nice glossy pink color that has me tight in all the right places. She’s in a pair of hip-hugging jeans and a weathered teal Bullies tee. The shirt has seen better days, but it looks awesome on her and brings back crazy memories of my time on the Bellevue Bullies. All that should be enough to stun me in place, but it’s her bright-blue eyes that do just that. My heart starts to race, and shit, my palms are sweating. The memories from college come back tenfold. Almost like taking a puck to the ribs, right where there isn’t any padding.
Good Lord, it’s Amelia Justice.
My best friend’s sister.
Chapter Two
Amelia
I feel, deep in my soul, that I may murder my cousin and best friend, Shelli.
“I don’t know, Ryan. I wasn’t ready to talk to you.”
My brother, Ryan, is irate on the other line. “I haven’t spoken to you except through DM, and that’s absolute bullshit. I basically had to steal Shelli’s phone to get your number.”
Okay, maybe I won’t kill her. Technically, my brother’s phone call is without her knowledge. I’ve been on the down low for a year now; I’m not ready to speak to anyone yet. “I understand, but I’m trying to figure out my life. It’s only been a year. I’m still trying to find my footing.”
“I am your life. I am your brother.”
I perk my brow. “Whoa, guy, you’re talking to your sister, Amelia, not your love bug, Sofia.”
He doesn’t seem amused. “Amelia, listen. I’m sorry about what I said—”
I know what he is about to say, and that’s a big-ten nope! “Listen, can I call you later? I gotta go. I’m at work.”
“I don’t care. Knowing you, you’ll go change your number.”
Not saying I wasn’t thinking that, but it would be a hassle. It’s not that I don’t love my brother. God, do I love him. He was there for me when our dad died in ways no one else could be and then even more as I finished my teenage years. But then I went off and got married, and that went south fast. It’s all still a bit raw; I need a little more time to heal. Figure things out.
“There are things I wanted to tell you and not through DM.”
There is something in his voice that makes me pause. “What?”
“Sofia and I are getting married, and you still haven’t said if you’re coming.”
My heart soars for them. I always knew they would get married. They’re those rare kind of people that find each other and don’t let go. “And we opened the gym in dad’s name. Sofia has a competitive team and an awesome rec program for gymnasts of all ages. Come home. You can work there. With the wedding coming up, we want you to be a part of it.”
And be around my mom, Ryan, my aunt, and my uncle? Yeah, hard pass.
“Listen, that’s wonderful and I’m so happy for you and Sof, but I seriously gotta go. I’ll call you back tonight.”
He groans loudly. “Promise?”
“Yeah, sure.”
“On Dad.”
“Son of a bitch,” I mutter, and again, he doesn’t seem amused. I understand his anger. I haven’t been the greatest sister for the last couple years. In my defense, it’s mostly everyone else’s fault. Maybe a bit of mine because I am stubborn. “Fine, yes. I promise.”