Always For You (Always Love Book 1) Read Free Page B

again. “Don’t worry, Reen. If she gets out of hand, I’ll just make sure I talk about what her brother and I did last weekend down at the lake.”
    Ali made a face and held up one hand. “Okay, okay. You win.” She shook her head. “When did it happen that my sisters-in-law ganged up on me like this?”
    “That’s what happens when you spend six months out of the year in the big city, little sister.” I picked my way across the room and folded her into a tight hug. “But we love you anyway. Thanks for coming over to help, even if you are a pain in the ass.”
    “Maureen Ann, language!” The front door slammed shut, and my mother’s words sailed up the steps.
    I rolled my eyes. “Why is it always me she catches? You two could out-swear sailors and she never hears a word.” Raising my voice, I leaned out into the hallway. “Sorry, Mom.”
    She appeared at the top of the stairs, lifting her curling black hair off her neck. “It’s hotter than hades out there. Ali, come here and give me a hug. Look at you, you’re more beautiful than ever.” Mom wrapped Ali in her arms then leaned back, studying her daughter-in-law. I saw my mother’s eyes narrow a little, but she didn’t say anything before she released her. “How’re you girls coming up here? Almost done?”
    “Oh, uh, we’re getting close.” I glanced behind me at the partially-packed boxes and piles of assorted stuff.
    “Hmm.” Mom raised one eyebrow. “Well, pizza’s waiting for you downstairs. Let’s go eat while it’s hot.” She turned and headed down the steps.
    I slung an arm around Ali. “You know what the best part is of you and Flynn and Bridge being back in Burton? It means Mom has three other people to worry about and pester.”
    Ali sighed and shook her head. “Oh, joy.”
    I laughed. “Welcome home, little sister.”

W HEN I’D PLANNED THIS MOVE to Georgia from Boston, the idea of driving down seemed to make sense. It meant I could transport my baby, my precious car, without worrying about it being damaged. And that was a good thing. What I hadn’t taken into consideration was that the 1965 Corvette hadn’t exactly been designed for long-distance traveling.
    “Why the hell would you want to put all those miles on an antique car?” My brother Fox had shaken his head as he watched me load up my suitcases. “Just use the transport company. They have insurance. They’ll take good care of her.” He’d glanced at his watch. “And I bet we can still get you on a flight down to Hicksville. You’ll beat your wheels down there.”
    “Thanks, but I’m fine. I want to drive down. I’ve never been through some of those states. It’ll be educational.”
    Fox snorted. “Driving along 95 by yourself is only going to teach you how much road trips suck. All you’ll see is trees, trucks and billboards.”
    I closed the trunk and leaned on the car. “You could still come with me. Call Ana, tell her you changed your mind. She thought the two of us driving down together was terrific idea.”
    “That’s because she’s got a soft spot for her little brother-in-law. She still sees you as the pip squeak you were the first time I asked her out. But sorry, I’m not up for a road trip. Things are too busy at work for me to leave right now, plus I’ve been there, done that. Senior year of high school, spring break. Daytona for a week.”
    I frowned. “I don’t remember that.”
    “Yeah, you might not. The parentals weren’t thrilled about it, so they told you and everyone else I’d gone to Europe for the week.” He smirked. “They weren’t always the mellow and laid-back people you know now.”
    Laid-back and mellow were not words I’d used to describe my mother and father, but I wasn’t going to argue the point. “Still, it’d be more fun with me. We could talk. You know, make it a real brotherly love trip. Get in touch with our feelings and shit.”
    Fox laughed. “Maybe another time, buddy. Tell you what, if you make