19. Lake

LAKE

I had a sister.

The landscape sped by as I sat shotgun in Bronson's SUV and we headed toward Braxton and Jurnee's house for an impromptu BBQ. My phone had rung mid-morning and I was surprised to see that it was Jurnee calling me to invite us over. She said she'd woken up and thought it was time for a get-together.

What had perplexed me even more, was that the down-to-earth, cute, friendly woman—the classic girl next-door—had asked me if not only myself and Stormi would come, but also Bronson. It didn't escape me during the conversation that she hadn't inquired if we were a couple.

Had Bronson said something to his friends about us or did Capri spill the beans about our kiss?

When I mentioned going to the gathering to him and admitted how confused I was about the request for us both to attend, having the inquiry come to me alone, he just smiled. Then he said something that made me swoon and my heart quickened with possibilities of a future.

"They're our friends, not just mine, Cupcake. And I just want to be wherever you are as much as I can. I don't want to be without you again, Lake. Ever."

I wasn't sure what to think about it all or how to respond when I was still struggling to believe that more between us was possible. But Bronson didn't seem put off by my silence. He just walked over, tenderly kissed my forehead, and winked, something he seemed to do a lot lately.

With that, I swooned all over again.

Reeling from my feelings for Bronson and the news that I had received a few days before, I thought maybe going to hang out with my new, wonderful friends would be a good distraction.

With an extra push on Bronson's part, the results of the DNA relationship test River and I took had come back a bit sooner than we'd expected. I'd come home from work to find an answer to what could be another major life changing event—they seemed to be happening a lot recently—waiting for me.

I stared at the piece of mail for hours before I gathered the courage to call River so we could open it together, knowing that she also should have gotten the results. Having agreed to do it at the same time, I wondered why she hadn't called me yet. Was she as nervous as I was or maybe she wished she hadn't assented to it at all?

When I had met River she kind of seemed strong, bold, but a bit damaged. Not broken per say, but as though life had thrown her for a loop. I don't know why I seemed to sense that but maybe because we did have a bond we weren't aware of yet.

I wavered when she answered, not sure if I was ready for what we may find. But she knew exactly why I was calling and with a no-nonsense attitude she got right to the point. Something I felt was a coping mechanism because her voice quivered when she spoke after hearing the news, just as mine had as I read them.

"So, I have a sister," she said quietly before going silent.

I stood in my bedroom, my gaze glued to the paper in my hands, words not coming as I reveled in the fact that the woman on the other end of the line did in fact have my blood running through her veins just as I had suspected.

"Lake?" River's tone as she called my name was full of uncertainty and that made my gut roil. "I understand if it's too much and you want to take some time with this. It is a lot and I have to talk to the kids."

The kids. I needed to talk to Stormi too, but I already knew she would be thrilled to have an aunt. She was already gaining honorary aunts with every one of the women that I was becoming friends with because that was how that group of friends rolled. Some were related but those who were not, you'd never know because they were as close as any family could be. Their found family was more remarkable than any family I'd ever seen.

As for River, I didn't know a thing about her life or even how old the kids she adopted were. She hadn't told me anything else since that day in the bakery and I didn't pry. If she wanted to share she would, I wasn't going to push.

River was right.

The new revelation was a lot, but you know what it wasn't? A hardship. Much less a bad thing or something I didn't want.

I quickly found myself, as shocked as I was, truly excited. And River needed to hear that.

"Sis…" I started and heard her gasp. "I wanted to test that out," I said, followed by a little laugh, trying to lighten the surreal moment.

It seemed to work, she let out a small laugh as well.

"We can take as much or as little time as you need, I need, and the kids need." Because this did involve others beyond us. "But I want you to know that I am happy to find out I have not only family, but that the family I have been graced with is you."

Another gasp came through the line.

"You mean that, don't you?" River asked.

"I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it," I told her. "I know Stormi will be ecstatic when I talk to her. You made quite the impression on her already. And I would love to hear more about your kids when you are ready. Just know that I'm here."

She was quiet for a minute before replying and I wondered if she was going to shut this whole thing down. But then she spoke. "I've never had a lot of people in my life."

That was something I could relate to but I wasn't sure where she was going with that information yet.

"I think I'm going to like having you in it. But I'll be honest, which is something I ask my clients for all the time, so I need to be too. It will probably take me a bit to get used to it and open up." A humorous laugh escaped her. "It probably sounds crazy coming from a therapist who encourages people to talk about their feelings and trust their instincts, but I have my own hold ups."

Just her admitting that was huge.

"I understand completely. We have a lot in common, but something tells me there are also huge differences too. Let's just keep communication open and take it a day at a time. Do it the way it works for us, okay?"

"Did anyone tell you if you didn't want to be in the medical field that you could be a therapist?"

At that we both let out a laugh, letting the tension go.

We talked a little longer and agreed to keep getting to know each other but no official plans of getting together were made yet. When I found out about the BBQ I extended an invitation to her and her kids—after asking Jurnee's permission of course—to see if they'd like to go but she declined. I wasn't put off by it at all. Everyone had to do what felt comfortable to them.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Bronson's deep voice broke through everything spinning through my head.

I turned from the window and looked at the gorgeous man next to me, shaking my head a bit at how crazy it was that he still wanted to be more than friends. With me.

Bronson had been nothing but positive and supportive after my conversation with River. But since he'd come back into my life, that's truly what he'd always been about everything no matter how little or big.

He'd become my rock again.

The man was not only there for me but he took care of Stormi every chance he got. He stayed at my house—still on the couch—day or night, depending on work; to protect us, but also because he said spending time with us was what he liked most.

I gave him a soft smile. "I was just thinking about how much my life has changed. You, River, and my new friends."

"Yeah?" he said with a question in his tone.

"I'm happy," I told him.

For a brief second he turned to me and the grin that stretched across his face warmed everything inside me before he looked back to the road.

"You deserve to be," he said. "Knowing that you feel that way makes me happy right along with you."

Was it that simple?

Could Bronson come back and heal the hurt he'd left behind, while sparking something new inside me?

It sure seemed that way.

Because with him around, everything felt right.

The group kept growing.

I wasn't the newbie any longer. No, the title went to a beautiful, sweet woman named London. Or the adorable nickname of Goldilocks as the man at her side liked to call her. A man who was no stranger to the group. Over the course of the party, I'd heard about how Lance knew Landon, both lawyers, how he helped with Teal's case, and even got hurt in the process.

Lance hadn't spent a lot of time with the group but since reconnecting with his lost love and finding out he had a son recently, it seemed he was embracing the men and women who were such a monumental support system for anyone who needed it by showing up that day with his newfound family in tow.

He and London's son, Oliver, fit right in with the rowdy, playful group of kids. He was somewhere between Embry's and Dexter's age at almost ten. Embry herself still held the title of the oldest for the time being and made sure everyone knew it too. She'd also made a fair share of money for her swear jar in just the few hours the party had been going on.

Alley bumped her shoulder against mine. "I knew you'd get your second chance the moment I saw the way you two made googly eyes at each other that day at the party when you thought the other wasn't looking. It seems you weren't the only ones either." She nodded her head in the direction of Lance and London laughing at something their son said.

An unladylike snort came out. "Googly eyes? I don't think so."

The smartass beauty next to me laughed. "Fine, you want me to call it like it was. When you two undressed each other with your gazes. Is that better?"

"Oh, I like where this conversation is going," Capri said, walking up right then. "Is Lake stripping Bronson again and can't keep her eyes off him?"

These women were nutjobs. It"s no wonder why I liked them. They weren't stuck up even when they could be because they were all gorgeous and had so much going for them. No, they were kind, quirky and accepting.

Ruby, the stunning redhead, moved in close just as I told the ladies that I wasn't undressing anyone. It was a lie of course because I found myself doing just that a lot lately.

"Good thing you're an EMT and not a cop or something, because you are a bad liar," she said, jumping in on the conversation.

The ladies' laughs created a buzz and the women that were not there gathered around quickly, like a swarm of bees. They were drawn to sassy banter like a honey bee to nectar and couldn't resist joining in.

My gaze scanned the group: Jurnee, Summer, Alley, Teal, Brinley, Ruby, Gemma, Capri, and Patience. Even London had moseyed over. Ruby may be the only one who had modeled in the group, but they could all give it a go being so damn beautiful, each in their own way.

I found myself thinking of another woman with silky, black hair and mesmerizing violet-colored eyes who would fit in with the amazing group if only she'd let them in. River needed them, just like I needed them.

Everyone was laughing at Ruby's comment but I'd gotten lost in my head, not joining in. Things sobered and Jurnee asked me what was wrong. When I'd asked her if I could invite someone else that day, I hadn't specifically said who, nor did I tell her what I'd found out. But with everyone"s concerned eyes on me, I found myself blurting out my secret.

"I have a sister."

While everyone gasped and eyes widened, Capri launched herself at me. She hugged me tight and then pulled back. "I knew it. I'm so happy for you two."

"Whoa, what are we missing?" Alley asked.

I launched into how Capri orchestrated a meet and greet with River, our conversation and decision to take the DNA test, then about finding out the results.

"Is that who you were going to bring with you today?" Jurnee asked when I finished up my story.

I nodded. "I'd hoped she would come but I understand she has to do things in her own time."

Capri made a noise in her throat and I turned to look at her. "Part of her reason is me being here too. I am her client and I know she takes her job very seriously. While I adore her, I think I'm okay now to not go, and if I need to, I can find someone else."

Shit, I hadn't thought about that but didn't want to disrupt what Capri had going on with her therapy. I shook my head. "You shouldn't—"

"Oh hush, I would rather her be here with us. I will let her know on our next…" She gave me a pointed look leaving no room for argument. "And last visit."

"You sure?" Brinley asked Capri, looking out for her.

"Yup, positive," she replied with a radiant smile.

River was truly going to benefit from this awesome group.

Time would tell.

"I wish Jett was here."

Patience was fairly hushed mouthed, so I was surprised when she randomly blurted that out. The others seemed just as stunned as I was. The young woman glanced around the yard at everyone and her gaze landed on her son who was giggling at something Gramps said to him. It was endearing how Gramps and Jurnee's parents had all taken to every kid in the group.

"I want him to know Griffin and I miss him." Patience's eyes were sad and Ruby wrapped her arm around the woman who everyone thought one day would be her sister-in-law if Jett ever took what was clearly meant to be his.

"He will, sweetheart, just give him a little more time and don't give up on him. I know he misses you too," Ruby told her.

Jett had a lot going on from all the stories I'd heard. He was giving all he could to the military right then and didn't make it home often. Ruby also mentioned at the last party she wished her brother stopped being so honorable when it came to Patience. I guess he thought keeping her in the friend zone was the right thing to do when he wasn't around, but Ruby said she didn't agree and they were both miserable with his decision.

It sounded familiar but at least he kept his communication open and was there for his friend, even if they too should be more.

Bronson hadn't done that.

My gaze swung toward the group of men and my eyes locked with Bronson's. He gave me a questioning look, asking if I was okay without saying a word and I nodded. Sometimes the hurt came back but I'd forgiven him and I wasn't going backward now. He was too important to me.

After getting over my initial thought I found myself doing exactly what Alley accused me of just moments ago.

"There she goes again undressing him with her eyes," Alley chanted, causing everyone to laugh hysterically.

Me included because she was spot on with her assessment.