el

s a Real Madrid, and as for me, I was a neutral. Well, if I was being honest, I knew American football, but soccer, on the other hand, was different. Instead of throwing the ball, the playe

room was dim, only the light coming from the TV screen that helped me not to bump

y dismay, nobody heard me, or they were too engrossed with what they were watching. This kind

g in the air while I was crossing my arms

ousin arrived from LA this afternoon, an

ooked like he took much time in the gym. The sleeve of his dark sweater stretched on his flexed bicep. His long brown hair tied up in a bun. Th

eat galloped. A flush of adrenaline tingled through m

brother. Oh my, God! It's him. The guy I once knew was almost unrecogniza

o freeze then pounded harder in my chest. What was he doing here? And the time seem

d Dad, then stopped in front of me. "Arella, right?" He ex

e an identical twin o

Well, it had been years, Are. You gai

et Skip when we came home during college." Brett pu

la." My voice was low and shaky. Heat rushed through my cheeks

ou, Re- Arella." His hand was warm and strong, but I was s

oke my gaze. I still remembered how those beautiful eyes looked at me, b

actions. I never regretted it though, becaus

and help me out in the kitchen." Thankfull

s with knees barely mad

e perfume wafted my nostrils. At fifty-five, she managed

d as she faced me. She stopped whateve

And I need to go back to my apartment and watch the movies I rented online." I quickly

you're okay, A

nsation on my palms. "I'm good.

et Skip Linton," M

t hers. "C

p Li

Linton?" I had to preten

u went to their concert with Alys? Skip came with them to met your brother. You di

aid he was a Linton. I though

er. I lost my appetite, but I managed to eat a tiny portion of the food I scooped into my plate. I couldn't help myself to steal

own stubble. I had every detail committed to my memory of how handsome he was back then, but t

kin seven years ago. He was my first, and I could still remember how it

So beautiful that it's har

and blue-gray eyes-the first thing I

versation and just the smile of Skip th

night, Skip?" Bret

sing his dimples to pop-out. "You won two days ago, Br

pass. How about you an

oned. "A pool? No, thank you. I'd rath

you're still young to waste your life over your asshole ex." A sudden pang hit my

tt shrugged as if telling us Brett

n gro

as if to remind hi

k, Davin," Uncle

ed on me as I lifted my gaze to survey them. Skip's hard and painful eyes we

t. "I've been out on a few dates. So c

lly grinning. He loved me so much, and what happened to my

top me from marrying him when he proposed. And I thought he was the one-it turned o

us. I sandwiched between Brett and Uncle Jett. Dad was

ered. He was on a business trip at that time, and I couldn't face my parents in my state, s

personal life here? It's nothing

e. You have a life ahead of you, but at

ell, and I'm glad I have my sister back." He was dead serious, then he faced

ell, no,

ou're good as well," Skip r

layed in years?" Brett and I used to play pool back when I

ch you," Sk

t, and I don't

ip are partners, then me and Lorcan. How ab

n we be partn

s a team. So, you and Skip have a week to practice." Lor

eyes. "Wha

gonna start to

my back. I turned to face him. His unique-colored eyes expr

were on his slim-fit jeans pockets, showing the best of his strong and powerful thighs. H

s your reas

ently, "You don't