Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 82955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“I love you, too, Brandon.”
CHAPTER 27
AUTUMN
The midday sunshine sneaks in behind me when I walk into the Honey Hive down on Main Street. “Hello?” I call, looking toward the back of the store for my sister. I stop at the counter and wait since there are customers in the store who were hidden by a display.
Winter comes rushing from the back with a box in her hands. When her eyes meet mine, she says, “Hey, Fall, what are you doing here?” The nickname to make me fit in still sticks all these years later.
“I wanted to pop by on my day off to see if you needed any help. I’m an expert honey jar unpacker.”
“If you’re trying to get on my good side for free honey, it’s working.” She looks at the customer. “I have your order ready.”
“Was I that obvious?”
“Not as obvious as you and Brandon Culver.” Ducking to grab a large bag from beneath the counter, she pops back up and says, “That will be one twelve and seven cents, please.”
I move off to the side to get out of their way, which gives me a minute to digest what she just said. How would she know? We still haven’t told anyone, and we’re barely together since our shifts rarely align.
As soon as the bell chimes above the door when the customer exits, she shoots me a look and asks, “You weren’t going to tell me?”
“How did you know?”
Shrugging, she flips her dark hair over her shoulders. “I didn’t, but you just confirmed it.” She slides a box toward me on the counter. “That and the,” she starts, tilting her head back with her eyes closed and rubbing her hand down her neck. “Oh God, yes!” Popping her eyes open, she taps on the register, sending the money drawer flying open. “That’s usually a dead giveaway.”
Mortification isn’t a strong enough word for the horrors playing out inside my head. Standing there speechless, which is unlike me, I close my eyes, wondering if I can wish this nightmare to end. Unfortunately, when I open my eyes, she’s still there with that smile that tells me she heard everything. “Dolly heard?”
Pulling a jar from the box, she says, “Dolly was none the wiser. She asked me about the noise around midnight, and I told her it was cats screeching at each other. Sorry, no offense. I also put on headphones and didn’t hear anything else other than some groans, moans, and I was forced to hear an ‘I need you’ too.”
I drop my head in my hand, trying to hide the best I can. If I could shrink myself and run under a display, I would right now. “Ugh. You just said you put on headphones.”
“I did, but then I couldn’t sleep with them on. I’m a side sleeper. You know that.” I do know that from when our parents died. She used to get up in the night and sneak into my bed. I would find her in the morning curled on her side at the end of the mattress with her stuffed animal. Though knowing that doesn’t make this any less humiliating. “Who cares about that stuff, though? Let’s get to the meat and potatoes. Were you guys playing nurse the whole time you were taking care of him? And how is dating a man you refused to talk to for ten years? I mean, the things I’ve heard you mutter under your breath when he dared to enter your vicinity.” She shoves the money drawer closed, I swear for dramatics, and adds, “I lost a bet because of you guys.”
“What? What bet?”
“Summer won, though Spring did bet you were having sex.”
Oh my God. Please let the heavens open up and take me. I’d even settle for an alien abduction right about now. Anything would be less painful than this. I walk to the front of the store, debating whether to walk out the door and pretend this never happened. I turn around instead and cross my arms over my chest. “I really don’t know what to say.”
“Well, dear sis, just say what’s in your heart.”
I was expecting another quip or for her to say I owe her the money she lost in the bet. The sincerity in her brown eyes takes me by surprise. I lower my arms and return to the counter. “I love him.”
She reaches over and cups her hands over mine. With a smile that doesn’t mock and only reassures, she whispers, “I’m so happy for you, Fall.” She comes around and brings me into a hug. If I’d known it would feel this good to share the news, I would have talked to Brandon and made a plan. If one sister knows, they all do. They’re the best at keeping family business secret. Leaning back, her joy penetrates her beautiful face. She’s a standout among the four of us. The only one with dark hair and brown eyes, and all the guys’ heads turn when she passes by. “So when’s the wedding?”