The Buy-In (Graham Brothers #1)(65)

“He brings new ones every few days,” Mama says. “Anyway. Enough about me! Catch me up on school. Any new boys to tell me about?”

If she only knew.

Well, Mama, I married a man I used to love and still maybe might love just a tiny huge amount, all so I could keep custody of Rachel’s kid. Oh, right—and Rachel had a kid, then ran off and left her with us, and then you came here, and I had to take care of her, and now Rachel wants her back.

Which brings us back to the start: I got married today.

“Aw, sweetie. Come here. Don’t cry.”

I’m crying?

Mama pulls me to her, and I wind my arms around her waist, breathing in the familiar scent of her magnolia lotion. I’m aware of the tears leaking in a steady stream from my eyes, even if I don’t know why they’re falling. And now I’m full-on sobbing, with hiccups and everything.

Mama strokes my hair, and the birds sing and chatter just outside the glass as inside the small room, I allow myself to fall apart.

Why is it easier to do so with the one person who has no understanding of what’s going on?

Or maybe it’s because she’s my mama and always will be my mama, whether she knows what year it is or not.

“There, there,” she coos, “that’s my strong, brave girl. Did someone break your heart?”

That’s a question I can’t answer. My heart feels surprisingly light and hopeful, but hope isn’t something I trust anymore. The pattern of my life seems to be that the moment I find happiness, it gets yanked away. Though it’s the worst possible thing to think about on my wedding day, I just keep wondering when it will end and leave me crushed and alone.





From The Neighborly App





Subject: Wedding of the Year?



The_Real_Shell-E

ICYMI Lindy Darcy got hitched in the courthouse. If anyone knows how she managed to snag one of the Graham brothers, please let me know. At least there are two more up for grabs! Also, what was she wearing?!?! So tacky.



BagelBytes

I think she looks beautiful. Good for them!



TheRealBob

Patrick Graham may be the best thing to happen to Sheet Cake football in years. Congrats to the happy couple. Go Sheet Cake!



DeltaDeltaDelta Don’t forget about their dad! He’s old but not like THAT old. That’s three Grahams left to choose from.

And what I’ve heard is Lindy dated Pat in college and he broke her heart. Maybe he knocked her up? She looks really puffy. Shotgun wedding?



The_Real_Shell-E



Are we sure Jo isn’t really Lindy and Pat’s baby? Has anyone even seen Rachel in years? I heard Pat has gotten in fights with both Billy and Wolf over her. I just don’t get how someone so PLAIN has men falling all over her.



Kimmie

Jo is definitely not Pat and Lindy’s baby. And I wouldn’t say Lindy has men falling all over her. She and Billy dated YEARS ago. Someone told me the marriage with Pat isn’t even real.



Vanz

What is VERY real is the danger of big pharma

BagelBytes

Sounds like we’ve got a lot of jealous people in this town with nothing better to do than spread rumors and gossip. I reported your comments. Hope you get blocked.



Neighborly Mod

[This thread has been closed and marked for deletion]





Chapter Twenty





Lindy





Pat is in my house. With bags and his truck parked out front. With the scent I know comes from a mix of cheap body products and eau de Patrick Graham. Jo and the dogs circle him with equal amounts of enthusiasm, making it difficult for him to even walk through the family room.

Pat is moving into my house, still wearing his wedding suit. The creak of my floor and thump of his footfalls assures me that this is not a drill. He could not look happier about the prospect of bringing in the bags his family dropped off after the reception. Meanwhile, I am hiding in the kitchen, with my hands manacled around a cup of coffee like it’s my only anchor to sanity. I think maybe it is.

Now that I’m looking at Jo’s and my life through Pat’s eyes, it feels so small, so not good enough. I can’t wait to hear what Pat says when I tell him he can’t use the toilet upstairs. He'll realize when he sees the sign and the duct tape.

I tell myself this will be fine, that there’s a happy ending in here somewhere. One where I get to keep Jo and Pat doesn’t break my heart and the upstairs toilet starts working again.

I hear Jo jabbering as she drags the smallest of Pat’s bags upstairs. “And did you know mama alligators hide their babies in their mouths when there’s danger?”

“Is that right?” Pat asks.

There is not even a shred of annoyance in his voice, which makes me want to throw my arms around his neck. Even the people who love Jo sometimes tire of her seemingly endless repertoire of facts.

She’s still going. “They can fit like twenty hatchlings in there.”

Pat’s voice carries down the stairs. “That’s impressive. Did Lindy ever try that with you? Because I’m not sure you’d fit. Especially not now. But we should investigate. Come here, let me measure you.”