Page 49 of Range
Rugger.
Roaman.
Roulette.
Rather.
Rome.
Royce.
We were one in the same in his eyes. However, he still understood our differences.
I lowered my head, chuckling. A brown towel appeared on the handle, confirming my suspicions. Chemistry hadn’t walked through my door in the last five minutes. He’d been in my home for some time.
“How long?” I questioned, feeling the fabric of the towel beneath my fingertips.
“Long enough.”
Banter.
It was our greatest love language.
“It must be important.”
His presence was evidence. I wiped my face, cleaning the foundation, blush, concealer, lip liner, highlighter, and contour. Secretly, part of me began to ache. The natural application I’d perfected had gone to waste. But my head was clearer. Unfortunately, with Chem standing in front of me, my heart was heavier.
“Highest of priority.”
I swallowed the lump before it fully formed in my throat and choked me to death in front of my brother.
“You’ve never turned down a cleaning,” he started.
I bit into my bottom lip, drawing blood on the inside. Chemistry’s attention didn’t waver, however, his words did.
“Congratulations.”
“Chemistry.”
“It’s–” he tilted his head, “It’s something.”
Though a chuckle didn’t emerge, I could hear the laughter rolling around in his head.
“I think it’s pretty,” I admitted, holding up my left hand. “It’s just– not mine.”
“Not yours?”
“You knew before you entered my home that I was wearing this ring. As well, you knew I wouldn’t be marrying the man who gave it to me. Are we playing stupid now?”
“Not at all,” he cleared his throat and adjusted his posture, placing both hands in front of him.
He pulled them together and folded them onto each other. He squared his shoulders and moved his nose from one side to the other.
“I’m listening–”
There was more to come. I knew my brother too well.
“Just waiting on you to make sense of wearing the ring for a man you never plan to marry.”
