by Lee Wardlow
“Who is your friend?” Brett asked Ramona. Everyone was looking at Brett but he didn’t seem to notice.
“He’s my date,” Ramona replied with a cheery voice.
“He’s your what?” The look on his face was comical.
“After dinner, we’re going to a movie.” Brett shut up immediately. Skylar found Luka staring directly at her. She shrugged her shoulders. Then she looked at Luna who appeared just as uncomfortable as Brett was at the moment. Skylar looked over her shoulder at the guy standing behind her. He now appeared rather uncomfortable too. Her sister should never have done this.
“This is going to be a long night,” Luna whispered to Skylar before heading back to the kitchen to check on dinner.
Everyone else got up off the floor when the kittens were fed but her sister Ramona and Brett. They were staring at each other. It was so tense in that laundry room you needed a hacksaw to cut the tension.
Dalton pushed past Skylar. “Let me out before Ramona starts throwing punches at Brett’s head,” he whispered.
Skylar watched Dalton leave. Then Stellan followed him although he stopped to hug Skylar before he left. He hadn’t seen her in a few weeks. He had missed their weekend dinners because of work. Then Benji, the baby stepped by Skylar on the way to the kitchen. He let her know he was starving then planted a quick kiss on her cheek and a pat on the back before he too disappeared.
Ramona stood when Ava asked her to come see the new comforter in her room which used to be Luka’s room a long time ago. Luna had painted the room pink and bought girly blankets for the bed. It was now Ava’s room when she came to stay with her grandmother.
“Don’t I get a hug?” Skylar asked as Ramona tried to get by her.
“No,” she grumbled. Then she grabbed the man she had brought by the hand and dragged him with her to see the new comforter.
“Who the hell is he?” Brett asked Skylar.
“No clue,” she replied.
“Son of a bitch,” he snapped. Then he ducked around Skylar. “I’m going to see the new comforter too.”
“You’ve seen it,” Skylar informed him.
“Shut up,” he shouted over his shoulder. She was left with a box full of loud kittens and Luka Shaw.
“Help me up,” he said. She looked at him strangely.
“What’s wrong with you?”
“My body has taken a few beatings over the years. I get uncomfortable when I sit like that for a while.”
Skylar went to him and grabbed his arm. She pulled and steadied him while he rose from the laundry room floor. This was the most ridiculous thing they had ever tried in the cramped space. She was lucky he hadn’t pulled her down to the floor with him. “I’m going to shower and change,” he told her.
Skylar followed Luka to the kitchen to see if she could help his mother. Luna let her know that everything was about done so Skylar went to the living room. The rest of the Shaw boys were sitting in various locations about the room. She eyed a spot for herself and plopped down between Dalton and Stellan on the sofa.
“How’s our girl holding up with the king of cage fighting?”
“He hasn’t asked me to get into the cage with him yet so we’re good.”
Stellan laughed. “You know his last year of fighting he was undefeated.”
“I did not know that Stellan. I didn’t really follow your brother’s career.”
Ava returned to the living room with her entourage. Brett was bringing up the rear looking none too happy. “Scoot over,” he snapped. Dalton moved closer to Skylar who moved closer to Stellan to give him plenty of room to sit.
These were all big men. Luka was the largest by far but she thought maybe his career had designated his size. He worked out a lot to maintain that physique so he didn’t get himself killed in the cage.
When Skylar heard that Luka was fighting she didn’t want to believe it. Skylar didn’t want to worry about him getting hurt but she did anyway. After a while she just put it in the back of her mind and pretended that he wasn’t doing something so dangerous.
Dalton was the next tallest and most muscular brother. He was a bit shorter than Luka at six feet three inches. Brett at six feet two then Stellan and Benji were the same height at six foot one. They all had the same mop of dark hair that laid just perfect. It was sickening to Skylar whose curly/wavy hair was an unruly mess. Dalton’s own hair was recently buzz cut short. It was obvious to anyone seeing them together the five men were brothers.
Ramona sat on the arm of the chair where her fella sat. For the life of her, Skylar couldn’t place who he was. She kept thinking he looked familiar to her. She was trying not to stare at him. If Ramona caught her she gave her a sour look.
Luka walked through the house carrying his suitcase. He was heading to the front entry. All of them watched him walk to the door where he hesitated. “Could I see you outside?” He asked Skylar.
“Dammit,” she muttered as she rose from the sofa and followed him out the door, down the sidewalk to his truck.
He laid his suitcase in the back of the truck. Luka turned to Skylar. “I know what you want to say but hear me out.”
“You are not moving into my house,” she insisted. “Damn, I thought this was just a joke about you moving in with us. Apparently not?”
“You took ten years of her life from me. I deserve to spend every moment I can with her. She wants me there too.”
“That isn’t fair,” Skylar snapped.
“All’s fair in love and war.”
“This is neither. This is about our child.”
“Precisely. I can be of help with her.”
“But I don’t need help,” Skylar insisted.
Ava was standing on the porch watching her parents argue in the drive. “Momma,” she shouted. “Let him move in for a little while as least.”
Luka smirked at her. “Asshole,” she mumbled under her breath then she glanced over her shoulder at Ava. She sighed seeing the hope on her daughter’s face. “All right,” she told her. What else could she do?
“You can sleep in the room next to Ava’s.”
“Damn, I thought for sure you’d share yours with me.”
“Don’t push your luck.” Skylar glared at Luka.
She started to turn away from Luka and go in the house then she turned back to him. “It’s driving me crazy. Who is that guy Ramona brought with her?”
Luka chuckled under his breath. “I’m surprised you don’t remember him.”
“Why?’
“Because Brett hates him. He’s Michael Smith.”
Skylar snapped her fingers together when she had her ah ha moment. “Which is why Ramona brought him with her to piss Brett off.”
“And he is definitely pissed off. I saw him upstairs before I showered.”
“I have to talk to Ramona.”
Skylar turned, to walk towards the house. Luka grabbed the waistband of her pants and yanked her back. “Hold up there, little lady,” he said to her.
She glared over her shoulder at him. “Release me.”
He let go of her pants. “Why are you getting involved?”
“Because she’s screwing up the best thing that ever happened to her…more than once. I don’t know exactly how many times it happened to her but she needs to know he cares for her not me.”
“What?” Luka was confused.
“This wasn’t the first time they were together.”
“Hey Sky, try this on for me,” he said lightly like he had the smartest idea in the world. “Let them work it out.”
“No.” She glared at Luka. “Ramona will screw it up.”
Luka looked confused. “Why do you think that?”
“Because she’s a Bradford. That is why? Did I do such a good job? I kept you from your daughter.”
“You got me.” He threw both hands up in the air. She started to walk to the door. “Sky,” he grabbed her arm this time pulling her back. “I still think you should let them work it out.”
Skylar bent and hugged Ava. “No baby, we aren’t.”
“Good. I really want Daddy to stay at the house Momma and for you two to get along. Please understand.”
“I do. You’ve been apart long enough. He can stay in the room next to yours that used to be Ramona’s.”
“We’ll be one big happy family,” Luka told them. Skylar glared at him.
“Thank you Momma.”
Skylar kissed her daughter’s cheek. “I love you Ava. I just want what’s best for you.”
She released her and Ava went to Luka who was right behind them. “Daddy, you’ll be staying at the house with me and Momma.” Her daughter was so excited, Skylar wished she could feel the same but she felt nothing but dread that he was going to be so close. Too close.
He scooped her up in his arms, tossing her over his shoulder causing Ava to giggle. He carried her in the house holding her tight while Sky held the door for them. She went in behind them and sat on the sofa between Dalton and Stellan where she had been sitting before.
Brett was still stewing and Ramona was still flirting with Michael. Luka put Ava on her feet and took her hand, they went to the kitchen to see if Luna needed help. “So is he moving in with you?” Dalton asked.
“Apparently,” Skylar replied.
“Seriously?” Brett leaned around Dalton to look at Skylar.
“Ava wants him there,” Skylar said in response.
“I’m sure that’s it,” Brett replied.
Ramona snorted. Both Skylar and Brett turned to look at her. “What is your problem?” They both said at the same time.
“Oh nothing,” Ramona replied with a smirk on her face as if she knew something that they did not.
Luna stuck her head in the living room. “Dinner’s ready.” The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. The hostility in the living room was getting out of hand.
Dalton stood and extended his hand to Skylar. She took it and he pulled her from the couch. Then he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. She was letting him guide her to the dining room when she heard Ramona. “One wasn’t enough Sky? You need the attention of three or maybe all five Shaw brothers?”
Skylar turned on her heel and glared at her sister. “Outside right now.”
“Fine,” Ramona snapped.
They pushed through three large men, Michael, Stellan and Brett to get to the living room then outside onto the porch. Skylar faced off against her sister practically nose to nose. The Bradford girls were known for their tempers just like the Shaw boys. Brett, Stellan and Luka showed up on the porch in case there was need for a referee.
“What is your problem?” Skylar snapped at her sister who looked a great deal like her except for Ramona’s vibrant, red hair that she had inherited from their mother.
“You,” she declared. “You walk into my apartment which by the way have you ever heard of knocking? See me with Brett this morning, get upset and flee like a damsel in distress. He does what he always does. He runs after you leaving me naked in my bed as if I’m not even important. That is why I don’t want a relationship with him. I won’t be second in his heart to you.”
“First of all Ramona, I wasn’t upset I was embarrassed. Second, lock your damn doors at night so people can’t just walk in.”
“Oh please. You flew down the steps. He thought you were crying or something. He couldn’t run after you fast enough.”
Luka snorted.
They both looked at him and told him to shut up. He shrugged his shoulders unaffected by their anger directed at him for the briefest of moments before they turned back to each other.
“Ramona, he’s liked you since you were fifteen and he was seventeen. That must say something about his feelings for you.”
“What?” Ramona was shocked. She looked between Skylar and Brett.
“Thanks Skylar,” Brett grumbled.
“Do you want to be with her or not?” She snapped at him.
“I do Ramona. I want to be with you. I did run after Sky but I love her like a sister. I always have. She’s been through enough. I thought she was upset. She was just embarrassed. I tried to explain but you wouldn’t listen.”
“Because you always put her first.”
“I’ll work on ignoring her,” Brett promised.
“Thanks Brett,” Skylar told him. He shrugged. What could he do? He couldn’t win with either of the sisters right now.
“Luka is home. Let him take care of her.”
“Sounds like a good idea to me,” Luka replied.
“No,” Skylar shouted a little too loudly. “Not a good idea.”
The front door opened. Michael exited followed by Luna. He kissed Ramona on the cheek irritating Brett further. “I’m out of here. You need to work out your own issues girl,” he told her. “Thanks for the doggy bag Mrs. Shaw.”
“You’re welcome Michael.”
Luna waited for him to get into the car then she looked at her children. “Get your asses in the house and eat my dinner before it gets cold or you get no dinner,” she demanded.
“Yes ma’am,” they all said and went into the house after Luna.
Dinner was no less tense. They hadn’t actually worked anything out. Ramona still felt as if she would always be second best to Skylar in Brett’s heart. She also needed a ride home now since Michael had left her.
“I’ll take you home,” Brett declared.
“You aren’t getting back into my bed,” Ramona snapped.
“Ramona,” Skylar groaned. “Ava is sitting here.” Her daughter’s mouth was hanging open and her head was volleying back and forth like she was watching a tennis match.
“Did you and Uncle Brett have a sleepover?” Ava asked. She was clearly confused about the meaning of the conversation which suited Skylar just fine. Dalton almost choked on the food in his mouth that he was about to swallow. Stellan burst out laughing. “What is so funny?” Ava asked.
“Nothing sweetheart,” Luka replied. “Yes they had a sleepover.”
“Why?”
“Ask your mother,” he replied uncomfortably. Skylar glared at Luka over Ava’s head. Luna intervened for Skylar.
“Because Brett was tired sweetheart and didn’t want to drive home so late,” Luna told her. “So Ramona let him sleep over at her apartment.”
“That was nice of Aunt Ramona,” Ava replied.
Stellan had to leave the table he was laughing so hard. Ramona, Luna and Skylar were glaring at him as he left the dining room. Dalton was barely containing his laughter behind his hands. Benjamin was just shaking his head at his brothers. Brett didn’t find anything funny about this conversation.
Halfway through dinner with stolen looks between the two Brett finally spoke up. “Just give me a chance Ramona. Baby, that’s all I’ve ever wanted.” She shook her head no. Skylar glanced across the table at her sister. Then she looked across her daughter’s head at Luka.
“Why do I feel like I’m missing half the conversation here?” Ava asked.
“Because you are young,” Skylar replied. “Stay that way for as long as possible Ava. Getting older, falling in love only brings you heartache.”
She met Luka’s gaze over Ava’s head. She saw the regret in his but she couldn’t care; if she did she would be lost again. Lost in him as she was before. Something she just couldn’t afford to do. Not again.
Ramona and Skylar cleaned up the dinner dishes and put away the food after everyone was done eating. They always did this. Luna cooked, the kids took turns cleaning up afterwards. This week was Ramona and Skylar’s turn. Skylar was rinsing all the dishes and handing them to Ramona. They were quiet not speaking to each other at first. Skylar couldn't stand it anymore she turned to Ramona and handed her another plate.
“When Brett and I
started kindergarten there was a bully that used to pick on me because I was so small. Remember? You were my height at four when I was six.” Ramona couldn’t help it, she laughed. “It isn’t funny.”
“It is,” Ramona replied. “Steve Tennison?” She asked.
“Yeah, that would be him. He still made fun of me in high school when I finally stopped growing and was barely over five foot two.”
Ramona nodded. “Luckily, I reached five foot six.”
“Yeah, I’m the smallest sister. I think the smallest one in our family.” Skylar couldn’t stop the groan that came out after that statement.
“So, what’s the point of this story?”
“That is when my relationship with Brett started. He used to watch my back. It just kept going from there. There is no love between us like romantic love.
“When Jacob used to beat the crap out of him. He came to hide out with me. I took care of him then Ramona.” Sky glanced at her sister. She saw the hurt that statement caused her. No one liked to see what Jacob’s anger had done to the Shaw boys. “I love him but not like that.”
“I always wanted to go with you guys. I was jealous,” Ramona told her. She glanced at her sister. She had never known. If she hadn’t been so wrapped up in herself, she might have.
“Do you know how hard it is to watch you two together? Ask Luka sometime, Skylar. If he’s honest with you he’ll tell you how he really feels.”
Skylar got quiet. “He told me this afternoon he felt better about leaving me because Brett would be there to pick up the pieces.” Skylar kept rubbing the sponge round and round on the plate. Ramona reached over and took the plate from her.
“I was only fourteen Sky but I know how devastated you were when Luka left you.” Her sister’s tone and entire attitude changed. “That isn’t a fair statement. He didn’t see you when he was gone. I was afraid for you. I was actually glad that you had Brett otherwise I wasn’t sure that you would have survived. If you didn’t…I didn’t know what would happen to the rest of us.”
Sky looked up at Ramona. “I didn’t think I would survive either,” she told her sister.
