“I don’t want to renew our vows. Honestly, it being the two of us is how I would want it, no matter what. No offense, Mom and Dad, I know you can help me out here, please?” Leena ends the sentence in a question addressing her mom.
“You know, it wasn’t like we didn’t do our fair share of crazy things. Leena’s an adult. Clearly, she’s happy, and while you may not have gotten to perform a lot of the fatherly duties I’m sure you want, who’s to say we can’t at least do up a big reception for them?” Joyce lays on the charm, thick, towards Bob, and he settles down.
“Yes, exactly that. I mean, I’m not the only child who, eloped you know. Decker and I wanted to let you know first before we talk to his parents. Then we’ll come up with a game plan of sorts.” Bob and I are left with the women talking. My hand holds Leena’s. Our wedding bands match, thick in a vintage style, and a single solitaire in what was supposed to be an engagement ring.
“At least you make my little girl happy. You still have her brothers to contend with, though. I’ll say a small prayer.” That’s when we all notice movement in the doorway, and with the way Keller and Tanner are looking at me, I’ll say I’m going to need all the prayers I can get.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
leena
“You cock-sucking son of a bitch. Didn’t get enough of your licks in while fucking over our company, then you go after our sister.” Freaking Keller, like a bull in a china shop, barreling into the back porch, but the words he’s using have Alana ready to box his ears.
“Keller Hart, that’s enough,” Mom tells him. “Jace, why don’t we go see what just came in the mail for you?”
“What? He’s not wrong. That dumbass could have costs us the company, not to mention the damn hoops we had to jump through to get it fixed in a timely manner.” Tanner breaks my heart a little bit with that statement. I know it’s the truth. I also know my husband.
“What did you say your last name was, son?” Son of a biscuit. Now Dad is chiming in.
“Williams.” Decker remains calm, not saying anything, and I know that’s hard for him. My brothers, if they knew half the story, they’d shut their mouths, but that doesn’t seem to be in the cards.
“Tanner, Keller.” The tone in my voice is a warning. My hand doesn’t leave Decker’s, even when he stands up to be on an even playing ground. That’s when Keller notices our rings.
“I’m going to fucking kill you! I swear to God, Leena, if you’re pregnant with this douche’s kid—” That’s my second oldest brother, the one I’ve never heard this much disdain from, even when I broke the unspoken ultimate family rule when I went on a job interview.
“You’ll what, Keller? Not want anything to do with me or our child? And no, I’m not pregnant, you big doofus, but even if I were, then so be it. We all stood by your side, through thick and thin. Right, big brother? Or does that only apply when it’s good for the majority?” Tanner rocks back on his heels, a slick smile on his face he doesn’t think I notice.
“Tanner, you’re not much better. I know what happened when it all went down. I also know that Decker Williams is a great man and an even better husband.” Speaking of, I’m really not allowing him to say a word. Truth be told, he’s helped me out plenty of times lately, and I kind of feel like this time, it’s my turn.
“Do you even know what happened, and not the watered-down version?” My eyes swing back to Keller’s. Alana took one look at what was going on and went back inside. Marlie is standing with her arms crossed over her chest, a look of annoyance on her face.
“Baby, I think it’s time you let me respond. Love that you have my back, but the truth is, they don’t know everything that happened either. I kept that private between my family and, well, you.” I pull on his hand, attempting to get him to sit down, much like Dad is still.
“I think you boys know what happened the last time this family had a falling out. Deke may be doing his own thing, but do you really want your baby sister to choose her husband over her family? Because I know if I were in her shoes, roles were reversed, guess who I’d chose?” Dad’s fingers are in a triangle pressed against his lips. He’s done that for so many years, especially when he’s deep in thought. “Your mother, she’d win every single time. I’m thinking Leena would choose Decker in this situation, so you may want to take a seat, listen to what the man has to say, and come to some kind of agreement because, boys, he’s in your life, whether you like it or not.”