Broken Beautiful Hearts

11. Bitches and Barn Parties

"I thought you said you weren't coming," one of my cousins says.

Now that Christian and Cameron have changed out of their numbered football jerseys, I'm back to guessing which one of them is talking to me.

"I changed my mind."

The Twins each swing and arm over my shoulders and sandwich me and a bear hug.

"Just wait," one of them says.

"You'll love it," the other finishes.

Doubtful.

Mom's eyes well. "You're not leaving without giving me a hug, too. I'll probably be on the road by the time you get back to Hawks."

"You aren't staying the night?" My uncle asks her.

"I already took today off, and I have an important meeting tomorrow."

"So where is my hug?" Mom opens her arms wide and I let her squeeze me as hard as she wants. "I'm going to miss you."

"Don't worry."

"It's part of the job description." She releases me.

The Twins trade uncomfortable looks. I want to get out of here as much as they do. The lump in my throat gets bigger every time Mom sniffles.

"I'll call you tomorrow." I give her another quick hug and walk toward the Twins, who perk up the minute they realize we're leaving.

She waves. "I love you, sweetheart."

"Me too."

"I'll take your things to the house," Hawk says. "Your mama will feel better after she gets a chance to give me instructions and boss me around. M"

The Twins fall into step on either side of me.

"Let's get outta here before they make us go eat dinner with them," One says.

"So what's the trick?" I ask as we walk to the parking lot.

"Run like hell before they catch us," my other cousin laughs.

"I mean the trick to telling you guys apart."

The twin in the green T-shirt nods in his head in his brother's direction. "Obviously, I have cooler hair and I'm better looking."

His brother laughs. "Don't give up on your dreams, bro."

"Be serious. I don't want to guess who I'm talking to all the time."

"Nope. But I'll make it easy for you. Cam shirt is blue. Mine is green," Christian says.

I wait for a serious answer, but that's all I get. "Come on. I'm smarter than your ex-girlfriend April. Give me a real answer."

Christian frown's, his thumbs hooked through the belt loops of his jeans. "How do you know about April?"

"I met her in the restroom. She was in full-on bitch mode. "

Can cuts between two trucks. "April gave you a hard time?"

"I'll set her straight at the party," Christian says. There isn't a hint of anger in his voice, but the comment strikes a nerve.

"She's not intimidating enough to give me a hard time. She was busy torturing another cheerleader."

I turn to Christian. "And if anyone needs to be straightened out, I'll take care of it myself."

"I just meant I'd talk to her." Christian runs a hand through his hair making it stick up in a few places. "I'd never put my hands on a girl."

Cam smirks, and Christian ads, "Not in a bad way... Or without asking first. But if I have a girl's permission, then I'm all hands."