Back to Me without you (Sibling Love Book 1) (4 page)

Steven drew his bottle of beer to his lips, taking a mouthful and then wiping away the wetness with the palm of his hand. “I don’t know. He looks like an okay bloke. A decent guy for our sister to be with. I think Jess picked well.”

“So you like him?”

“I guess so, yeah. We bonded over football. He likes his sport. I think we’re going to get along well, and it’s obvious that he’s in love with our sister, so he gets major points for that. Considering the size of that rock sitting on her finger, I get the impression that his family has money. Jessica told me he’s studying to be a lawyer. So he’s not making money from that yet.”

Abby was speechless. She didn’t realise her brother paid as close attention to details as she did. “I didn’t think you’d noticed the size of her engagement ring.”

“I’m not blind. And even if I was, I’m pretty sure I would pick up on the size with a simple handshake. His family is most likely wealthy to be able to afford a ring like that. I guess they haven’t had to struggle like our family did growing up.”

They hadn’t exactly been poor growing up. Their parents both worked to support their family of five. While they ensured their children never went without anything, they weren’t wealthy, either. They earned every dollar through hard work.

Steven and Abby’s conversation stopped when Jessica came bouncing into the room with a smile plastered on her face. “I ordered the pizza,” she said as she sat down beside her big brother. Steven showed a sly expression on his face. He knew what was coming next as Jessica leant one arm against Steven’s shoulder.

“Steven…” Jessica began.

“What now?”

“So can you pay for the pizzas? As a part-time university student working in retail, I don’t make a lot of money and the money that I do have, I’m trying to save for my wedding. Besides, we can’t make Abby pay. She’s just back from America.” She looked at Abby. “Have you converted your money into Australian dollars yet?”

Abby laughed. “Well, you’re right about that, Jess. I completely spaced on converting my money. I guess I’ve had more pressing matters on my mind. But maybe I’m glad that I haven’t done it yet if it means Steven is paying for dinner.”

Steven rolled his eyes. He fished into his jeans pocket anyway, retrieving his wallet and handing Jessica just enough money to cover the pizza. “Is that enough?”

Jessica held the fifty-dollar note into the air like she was examining it for fraudulent purposes.

“It isn’t fake,” Steven clarified. “I don’t handle fake money. I do go to work. That’s where I get my money from.”

“I know, but you can never be too trustworthy. You’re in luck; it all looks good to me. And yes, that will be enough for dinner, but I could just ask for more if you’re willing to hand over cash to me.”

“Yeah, right. That’s not happening,” Steven muttered. “Times like these makes me wish mum and dad had another son besides just me. At least then I would have an ally when the two of you choose to torture me.”

Jessica nudged her brother with her elbow. “Aw, what’s the matter? Don’t you like being the only male in our family? You should feel lucky. I’m the baby of the family. I had to contend with the likes of you two. Mum and dad saved me for last. I don’t know whether I should be happy knowing that when I came along, you were both already born.”

Abby covered her mouth with her hand, stifling a cackle. Sometimes her siblings cracked her up.

She wasn’t thrilled to be coming home for her sister’s wedding. She thought Jessica was rushing into getting married. But Abby was glad to be home and surrounded by those she missed an awful lot when she was living in America.

Jessica motioned for Abby to join her on the lounge beside her. All three of them were now squashed together on one couch with Jessica in the middle.

“Do you remember when we went on that road trip to Melbourne?” Jessica asked.

“Oh, how could I forget,” Abby added. “Steven had just started driving then. He thought he was doing so well until he insisted we had enough petrol to make it all the way to Melbourne without stopping one final time. One hundred kilometres later, we became stranded waiting for you and dad to return from your trek to the service station. Wherever that was. You took your time coming back to us. We were beginning to think you were never coming back. I think mum and dad were cursing you the entire trip to and from Melbourne.”

Abby and Jessica laughed, while Steven wore a frown on his face.

“Well, how was I supposed to know how long it was going to take to reach Melbourne? I hadn’t ever been there before. What’s more, I had only just started driving. Mum and dad did not need to agree with me. And it’s not funny, nor is it a cherished childhood memory I would like to remember, but you keep talking about it. You never let me live it down.”

“Because it’s hilarious. It’s the funniest thing you’ve ever done,” Jessica said, pointing her finger at Steven.

“I just think you like to tease me,” Steven countered.

“Well, that too,” Jessica said with a twinkle in her eye. Then she pulled her knees to her chest and breathed in a slow, deep breath. Abby and Steven noticed that something was troubling her.

Abby placed one hand on Jessica’s knee. “What’s up?” Jessica tucked one strand of her dark brown hair behind her ear. “We’re your siblings. You know you can tell us anything, and we won’t judge you because we can’t. We’ll be there for you no matter what. Are you having second thoughts about getting married? It is okay if you are. You can push back the wedding if you want to take it slow. No one will judge you. And I’ll still be here. You’re my sister. I’m not going to miss your wedding day.”

“Well, maybe she won’t judge you,” Steven stated, “but I can speak for myself, and I know I will. I happen to be your older brother, after all. I can also kick anyone’s ass for you if you want me to. That’s what I’m perfect for.” Steven made a Kung Fu style motion with his hands.

Jessica shook her head, and Abby could see tears filling her eyes. “I understand that you think I’m rushing into marriage, but I’m not. I’m making the right decision. I know I am. I love Justin. He’s everything to me. More than I have ever felt for someone before. As we reminisce over old childhood memories, makes me think of Mum and Dad and how I wish they could be here to see me on my wedding day. I hope they would have liked Justin.”

Neither Abby nor Steven knew how to address their sister without breaking down themselves. Jessica’s words filled Abby’s whole heart, as she too yearned for her parents to come back to them. They’d died too soon. They were missing out on milestone moments in each of their children’s lives. They missed seeing Jessica finish high school, get into university and celebrate her twenty-first birthday.

They didn’t get to watch Steven graduate from the fire academy or Abby become a successful romance author. Now they wouldn’t be here to watch their youngest get married.

Abby didn’t know exactly what to say. She could only respond to her sister the way Jessica wanted her to. “I think mum and dad would have loved Justin.” Their mother tried to like everyone she met. She would see the good in people even if they did something wrong.

It was enough for a smile to spread on Jessica’s face. But the smile was tinged with sadness. “Thanks, guys,” Jessica murmured. “I don’t know what I would do without you.”

“Crawl up into a hole and die? Get married anyway?” Steven rattled off a list of possibilities. It was Steven’s nature to ensure that they all laughed in times of struggles and sadness.

Jessica and Abby stifled laughter together. “You know just what to say to make me feel a whole lot better,” Jessica replied.

“Well, of course I do. I am your brother after all. I’m here to provide some comic relief and also to kick ass when your heart is breaking. But I hope I never have to follow through on that last part.”

“Trust me, I don’t reckon you will. At least I hope you won’t need to kick Justin’s ass.”

Steven shook his head. “Nah, I think we’re solid on that one, too. I’ve seen how he looks at you. He loves you a lot and as your brother, that’s all I want.”

“Steven, are you going soft on me?” Jessica teased.

Steven shook his finger. “I’m not soft. And if I am, it’s only with my sisters. So just so we’re clear, this conversation doesn’t leave this room. I can’t have my friends and mates at the firehouse knowing I’m just a big softie at heart. I do have a reputation to sustain.”

“We wouldn’t want that now,” Abby said. “We can’t have your reputation ruined, not when you’ve worked damn hard to achieve it.”

“Exactly.” Steven snapped his fingers together.

The siblings laughed together like old times.

And Abby realised even with their parents gone, at least they would have each other in their lives, married or not. Being home was nice.

T
he following day Jessica had arranged for Abby and Steven to meet Justin and his family for lunch. They were meeting at a quaint little café near the harbour.

Steven had to work but vowed to meet up with his sisters once his shift was over. The fire station wasn’t far from where the café was.

Jessica was driving to the restaurant, which was fifteen minutes away from home. Abby couldn’t help but notice her sister’s fingers were trembling on the steering wheel.

“Are you okay, Jess?”

Trying to keep her eyes on the road ahead, Jessica drew in a deep breath and nodded her head.

But Abby put her hand on Jessica’s thigh. “I’m sorry, Jess, but I don’t believe you. I’m your big sister. I can tell when you’re not entirely truthful with me.”

“Okay—” Jessica drew out after a little while. “—so maybe I’m kind of nervous to meet his family. What if they don’t like me? What if they don’t think I’m good enough for their son?”

“You have nothing to worry about. Well, maybe a little, but only because you’re getting married within a couple of months of knowing each other. Like me, I am sure they’ll have reservations about this wedding, too.”

Jessica glanced over at her with narrowed eyes, which prompted Abby to respond. “What? You know me. I’ll give you an open and honest response whether you need it or not. But deep down you know you want it, or you wouldn’t have told me how you were feeling. Besides, I’m sure you’re worrying about nothing. People like you, Jess. You’re likeable. And since when did you start worrying about what people will think of you and whether they will like you or not?”

Jessica shrugged one shoulder, turning on her indicator and moving into the far right lane ready to turn right.

“I don’t know,” she said. “Today is a big deal for me. They don’t have to love me because I will still want to marry Justin even if his family doesn’t like me, but I want them to at least tolerate me. They are about to be my in-laws. I would rather not have awkward and uncomfortable tension with his family.”

Once the traffic lights turned green, Jessica gripped onto the steering wheel. She turned the car in the right direction.

Abby understood where her sister was coming from. She and Justin hadn’t known each other long and were already planning a wedding.

“You’ll be fine,” Abby reassured Jessica, even though she wasn’t sure she was telling her the truth.

Jessica inhaled another deep breath. “You’re right,” she said as she pulled into the parking lot of the café. “I am lovable.”

Abby realised that deep down Jessica was more anxious than she was letting on. But that was typical Jessica. She often didn’t let on how she was feeling. Instead, she chose to keep it to herself, pushing it to the back of her mind and acting like she was all right.

Jessica parked the car, switched off the engine and took the key out of the ignition. She turned to Abby with a brave smile on her face. “Are you ready to meet my fiancé? I think you’re going to love him as much as I do. Well, maybe not as much as I do because I am the one marrying him, but I hope you’ll like him, too.”

“I’m sure I will,” Abby said. For Jessica’s sake, she hoped the assurance that filled her voice was enough of a confidence boost for her. Jessica was never one to need a confidence boost. She always had loads to give, but today was different for her. Abby could feel it. Lunch today was a big deal for her, and it had to go well. If it didn’t then she didn’t know how her marriage to Justin would work or if it would even get as far as the altar at the chapel.

Abby followed her sister out of the car. Their arms were linked together as they made their way towards the front entrance of the little café, eager to meet her fiancé’s family.