Divine in Lingerie (Lingerie 9)

I didn’t want my father to be in pain, even if he was wrong about Bones. “I’ll go talk to him.”

She squeezed my arm. “That’s a good idea. I know this is hard for you…just remember it’s hard for him too.”

I made my way upstairs and stopped on the second floor where my brother’s childhood bedroom was. I tapped on the door with my knuckles and heard him welcome me inside. He obviously hadn’t been expecting me because he looked surprised to see me. He was already in a suit even though it was still a few hours before the ceremony started. I’d seen him in a suit hundreds of times, but he’d never looked quite as good as he did then. “You look handsome, Con.”

He rose from the chair and adjusted his tie down his chest. He only gave a slight nod in acknowledgment of my words. Our get-together ended abruptly last night, and it was hard to interact without thinking about it.

“I’m sorry about last night, Con. I didn’t mean to—”

“Forget it. I know you’re going through a hard time right now.” He let me off the hook so easily, and that wouldn’t happen under normal circumstances.

“I’m not sorry for what I said because I know I’m right, but I’m sorry for yelling at you, arguing with you the night before your big day. Truth is, I look up to you, Conway. I think you’re a great man, and I’m very proud of you. I love you so much, and not just because I have to. You’re the greatest brother I ever could have asked for…” I kept my composure, but my eyes started to water with a hint of tears. “Sapphire made you into an even better man, and I know the little one will too. I’m very happy for you.”

His coldness turned into warmth, and the walls he’d erected around his heart suddenly came down. His eyes lightened in happiness, and the rigid way he held his shoulders slipped away. He extended his hand to me, silently beckoning me toward him.

I moved into his chest and rested my face against his muscular frame, letting my brother wrap his thick arms around me. It was nice to be held by my family. There was no greater feeling than this kind of unconditional love.

“Thanks for saying that. I appreciate it.”

“And Mama didn’t make me.”

He chuckled. “I know. And I love you too. It kills me to see you go through this. I wish I could make it better.”

“I know…but today isn’t about me.” I pulled away and looked into his face. “It’s about you and Sapphire, and I’m very happy to be celebrating. So let’s not talk about me anymore. Let’s talk about you.” I forced myself to smile, and I noticed the happiness followed immediately. “Nervous?”

He dropped his hands and then adjusted his cuff links, a ghost of a smile on his lips. “Have you seen the woman I’m about to marry? No, I’m definitely not nervous.” He grinned in his typically arrogant way.

“Come on,” I said. “Be serious.”

“I’m fine.”

I raised an eyebrow, knowing there was more to the story.

“What do you want me to say?” he asked with a chuckle. “I never thought I would get married, but here I am.”

“And you want to get married, right?”

He adjusted his cuff links again. “The idea of being a father and a husband is a little scary, but Father gave me some advice. I feel like I’ve already grown into those roles, so everything should be fine. I guess that’s what scares me about getting married… being good enough for my family.”

My brother wore an indifferent façade most of the time, lacking emotion and compassion about almost all things, but I knew there was a sensitive side underneath all the muscle, success, and scotch. “You are, Con.”

“I’ve messed up in the past…as you know. Now that I’m this person, I don’t like who I used to be.” He moved his hands into his pockets. “I never want to be that man again. And I still want to be better than what I am now…”

“Sapphire loves you exactly as you are, Con.”

“I know,” he said. “But I still want to be better. I’ll always want to be better for her.”

Our tender moment was ruined when the door opened and Carter walked inside. “We still have time to hit a strip club and send you off in style.” He wore dark jeans and a collared blue shirt, his dark hair and eyes standing out. He wore a nice watch on his wrist along with dress shoes. He walked up to Conway and patted him on the shoulder. “You look good. But not as good as the bride, I hear.” He winked.

The corner of Conway’s mouth rose in a smile. “I don’t take offense to that.”