Page 79 of Blame it on the Kiss
“I put a chicken bouillon cube inside the shower head so you could—”he laughed“—marinate.”
Honor watched him crack himself up. “I hate you.” But to be fair, she pretty much hated everything nowadays.
He stopped laughing and pulled a small gift box from behind his back. “No you don’t. Happy birthday.”
She snagged the gift. “Thank you. Now you take this shower and I’ll take the next one.”
“Open it,” he said blocking the hallway so she couldn’t get by.
“You’re wasting water.”
“I’m not getting in there until the cube has dissolved. Give it a few minutes. Now open.” He nodded to the gift.
“Nice wrap job.” She tore off the pretty paper and opened a plain white box.
“I had some help,” he said shamelessly.
Tears pricked the back of her eyes when she saw business cards inside. She pulled one out and stared at the perfect font and perfect amount of information regarding Driftwood.
“Thank you.” She wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
“Whoa.” He stepped back. “Put some clothes on first.”
“If only someone hadn’t ruined my shower.” She bopped him on the head.
He brushed off his sleeve with a boyish simper that would have been annoying had the prank not been pretty brilliant. “Had to keep the tradition alive.”
Since he was five years old he’d played tricks on her. Some worked. Some didn’t. It annoyed her growing up, but her mom would always say, “He plays jokes on you because he loves you and wants your attention.”
Emotion clogged the back of the throat. Today was probably the last prank he’d pull on her. He’d decided to move to LA and live with a couple of other professional skateboarders. His career was about to kick into high gear and she couldn’t be happier for him.
“You all right?” he asked.
She nodded. What else was she going to do? Tell him she missed Bryce so much it physically hurt to think about him?
No. Ending their relationshipwasfor the best. Just because she loved Bryce didn’t mean she deserved a happily ever after. She eventually failed people. This time she’d been saved from inflicting harm as well. She’d done Bryce a favor.
“You’re full of shit,” Coop said.
“What?” Who said he could call her out? And on her birthday.
“There’s something bothering you,” Coop said quietly. “And you don’t usually shut me out.”
The tall, skinny kid in front of her was way too smart. And so damn sincere she wanted to cry. She did normally tell him things, but she couldn’t this time. What was best for her brother was Bryce and she’d gladly suffer sotheyhad a strong relationship.
“It’s nothing. I think I’m just missing mom and dad. Plus, I’m worried about opening Driftwood and being behind on things for the Spring Fair.”
He squinted like he didn’t totally buy it. “I can help with whatever you need.”
She wished that were true. “I know.”
“I’ve got to head out, but I’ll be home by six to go to dinner. And I’m getting you drunk if your attitude hasn’t changed.”
“We’ll see,” she said to his retreating back. “Wait, what about a shower?”
“I already took one,” he sang out. Jerk.
She took a cold, but clean shower, dressed in one of her favorite T-shirt dresses, made her bed, folded clothes that didn’t need to be folded, cleaned up the mess on her nightstand, blow dried her hair, made Coop’s bed, and picked his dirty clothes up off the floor and threw them in his hamper. Basically, she did everything she could to keep her mind occupied until Sophie arrived.
