They pushed through three large men, Michael, Stellan and Brett to get to the living room then outside onto the porch. Skylar faced off against her sister practically nose to nose. The Bradford girls were known for their tempers just like the Shaw boys. Brett, Stellan and Luka showed up on the porch in case there was need for a referee.
“What is your problem?” Skylar snapped at her sister who looked a great deal like her except for Ramona’s vibrant, red hair that she had inherited from their mother.
“You,” she declared. “You walk into my apartment which by the way have you ever heard of knocking? See me with Brett this morning, get upset and flee like a damsel in distress. He does what he always does. He runs after you leaving me naked in my bed as if I’m not even important. That is why I don’t want a relationship with him. I won’t be second in his heart to you.”
“First of all Ramona, I wasn’t upset I was embarrassed. Second, lock your damn doors at night so people can’t just walk in.”
“Oh please. You flew down the steps. He thought you were crying or something. He couldn’t run after you fast enough.”
Luka snorted.
They both looked at him and told him to shut up. He shrugged his shoulders unaffected by their anger directed at him for the briefest of moments before they turned back to each other.
“Ramona, he’s liked you since you were fifteen and he was seventeen. That must say something about his feelings for you.”
“What?” Ramona was shocked. She looked between Skylar and Brett.
“Thanks Skylar,” Brett grumbled.
“Do you want to be with her or not?” She snapped at him.
“I do Ramona. I want to be with you. I did run after Sky but I love her like a sister. I always have. She’s been through enough. I thought she was upset. She was just embarrassed. I tried to explain but you wouldn’t listen.”
“Because you always put her first.”
“I’ll work on ignoring her,” Brett promised.
“Thanks Brett,” Skylar told him. He shrugged. What could he do? He couldn’t win with either of the sisters right now.
“Luka is home. Let him take care of her.”
“Sounds like a good idea to me,” Luka replied.
“No,” Skylar shouted a little too loudly. “Not a good idea.”
The front door opened. Michael exited followed by Luna. He kissed Ramona on the cheek irritating Brett further. “I’m out of here. You need to work out your own issues girl,” he told her. “Thanks for the doggy bag Mrs. Shaw.”
“You’re welcome Michael.”
Luna waited for him to get into the car then she looked at her children. “Get your asses in the house and eat my dinner before it gets cold or you get no dinner,” she demanded.
“Yes ma’am,” they all said and went into the house after Luna.
Dinner was no less tense. They hadn’t actually worked anything out. Ramona still felt as if she would always be second best to Skylar in Brett’s heart. She also needed a ride home now since Michael had left her.
“I’ll take you home,” Brett declared.
“You aren’t getting back into my bed,” Ramona snapped.
“Ramona,” Skylar groaned. “Ava is sitting here.” Her daughter’s mouth was hanging open and her head was volleying back and forth like she was watching a tennis match.
“Did you and Uncle Brett have a sleepover?” Ava asked. She was clearly confused about the meaning of the conversation which suited Skylar just fine. Dalton almost choked on the food in his mouth that he was about to swallow. Stellan burst out laughing. “What is so funny?” Ava asked.
“Nothing sweetheart,” Luka replied. “Yes they had a sleepover.”
“Why?”
“Ask your mother,” he replied uncomfortably. Skylar glared at Luka over Ava’s head. Luna intervened for Skylar.