The Mane Attraction
Page 8

I never hated her, Bobby Ray. I wasnt nice to her, but I never hated her. And based on that, she pointed at the gift shed given him, I knew you loved her. Even then. I never mentioned it before because I thought I lost it. But I found it last time I was home, buried with my stash of old Playgirls.
Bobby Ray lifted the ID bracelet from the velvet-lined box. Inscribed on the front was Bobby Rays name, but it was the inscription on the back that at the time, told sixteen-year-old Sissy what shed already suspected and had her feeling like a bully for the first time: To my Jessie Ann.
I figured you could give it to her now since you pussed out when you were eighteen.
I didnt puss out; I just didnt think it was the right time. Judgmental heifer.
Gelding.
Sissy wrapped her arms around her brother and hugged him tight. You have a happy life, Bobby Ray.
Yeah. Im fixin to.
And Sissy laughed.
Mitch threw his arm around his older half-sisters shoulders and smiled when she went tense and her hands clenched into fists.
Marissa Shaw was Brendons twin and Mitchs older half-sister. Thankfully, she was not his only sister. There was still Gwenie. Five years younger, sweet, innocent Gwen would never be so mean to Mitch. She worshipped him!
Rissa, however, seemed convinced that Mitch was nothing more than a scumbag who wanted to steal their vast fortune from them. And he was so nice to her, too
Those shoes were an interesting choice. Were they out of the official clown shoes, and you had to go with the cheap imitations?
Marissa scowled at him. Arent you needed somewhere? Im sure Sissy wouldnt mind you staring at her big ass some more.
Dont be jealous, sweetie. Im sure someone wouldnt mind staring at your big ass.
She abruptly pulled away from him. Feel free to stay away from me today.
I try and stay away from you every day.
You dont try hard enough.
Mitch watched her walk away. Love you, Rissa.
Shut up.
Laughing, Mitch pulled his vibrating phone out of his pocket. But the laughter died when he recognized the number.
Sissy saw her mother going up on her tiptoes, looking over the crowd for something. Probably her. Panicking, Sissy took several steps back, but those damn shoes went out from under her. Who the hell paid seven hundred and fifty dollars for shoes anyway? In what world was that okay? Give her a pair of boots and a leather jacket, and Sissy was a happy gal for a lot less money.
Figuring shed hit the floor, Sissy shut her eyes and gritted her teeth. And although she hit something hard, it wasnt thefloor.
Slowly, she opened her eyes and bit back her smile. Oh. Hello, Brendon.
Uhhi. He looked so fabulously horrified sitting in that chair with his mates best friend on his lap that Sissy couldnt stop herself. All the rules drummed into her by Bobby Ray over the last few weeks disappeared as she stared at Mitchs big brother.
I guess this is a bit awkward, huh?
Well
But I couldnt hide it anymore. She put her arms around his neck, and his whole body tightened as his eyes looked around the room, practically begging someone to rescue him. You and meperfect together, Brendon.
What? His gold eyes grew wide. UhSissywait a second
Seriously. Ive seen your kids. Wed have beautiful babies.
Whats going on?
Poor Brendon. He didnt know whether to be relieved or scared to death when Ronnie Lee walked up to them.
I finally told Bren that he was mine and we would be together forever.
Ronnies eyes turned toward the ceiling, and she brushed her hair away from her face. I thought we were going to discuss this first.
Sissy felt Brens big lion body jerk, and she had to fight hard not to laugh.
Im Alpha Female, darlin. I dont have to discuss a damn thing with you or anyone.
Ronnie nodded and cleared her throat. Shes right. Im sorry, Bren. She sniffed back a nonexistent tearRonnie never could fake actual ones. I hope youll remember me fondly. Then she ran off into the crowd.
Now Sissy frowned. How had Ronnie learned to run in those damn shoes?
Ronnie, wait! Brendon stood and practically tossed Sissy off his lap. Im sorry butforget it. He ran after Ronnie, and Sissy started to laugh until she caught her mothers scent.
She spun and ran out a set of big glass doors leading to the gardens. She debated not stopping, just running all the way back to the city, but Mitchs scent caught her attention. She followed it and found him by one of the marble benches they had all over the property. Like most of the males in the wedding party, hed lost the jacket, removed his tie, and undone the collar of his shirt. Mitch had also rolled up his sleeves to his elbows, and Sissy could see the tattoo on his forearm. He was on the phone and pacing back and forth.
He lookedtense. And she didnt know why. She should find out.
Are you sure?
Of course Im sure, Jen Chow snapped. Do you think Id call you about this if I werent sure?