Page 7 of Fourteen of a Kind

“Get over here.” My uncle Conner stood up and wrapped his arms around me. “Nobody cheats on my girl and gets away with it. Are you okay, sweetheart?” He hugged me tight.

“I’m okay, Uncle Conner.”

“That’s my girl.” He broke our embrace and kissed my forehead.

“I’m sorry, Ella.” My Uncle Jackson reached over and squeezed my hand.

“Thanks, Uncle Jackson.”

I sat in the chair, twisted the cap off my beer, and brought the bottle to my lips. My Uncle Simon walked up behind me and wrapped his arms around my neck.

“That douchebag has four outstanding parking tickets. I made sure there’s a warrant out for his arrest,” he whispered in my ear. “Nobody breaks a Kind’s heart and gets away with it.” He kissed my cheek.

“He can’t afford the parking tickets,” I said.

“Then I guess he goes to jail, kiddo.” He winked before sitting down.

Iopened my eyes the next morning and stared at the sun filtering through the curtains. I lived in my own home a couple of houses down from my Uncle Christian. Shaun made good on his promise and bought the houses that went up for sale over the years, ensuring that each of us would move in when we became adults. It was important to him and the rest of the family that we all stayed together, no matter where life took us. Life is family, and family is life, and none of us kids would even think about moving away. Kind Beach was our home and it would be forever.

It was my day off, and instead of doing research like I normally did, I got dressed and headed to see Riley at her shop. Walking into Pottery Paradise, I looked around and didn’t see her.

“Hey, Ella.” Gloria smiled.

“Hi, Gloria. Is Riley here?”

“She’s in the back.”

“Thanks.”

I walked into the back room, where Riley placed some pottery pieces on the shelves.

“Oh my God. I was going to call you.” She hugged me. “How are you?”

“I’m okay.”

“Listen. I know what you’re going through. You know that.”

“I know. I remember.”

“The hurt doesn’t last forever, Ella. I promise you that each day that passes, it’ll hurt less. Besides, Landon is an asshole, and nobody liked him. You know what I think?”

“What?”

“I think you knew we all hated him, and you stayed with him to be rebellious.”

“I did not.” I laughed.

“Oh, I think you did.” She pointed at me. “You loved that our family didn’t like his dumbass.”

“That is not true, Riley.”

“You can’t fool me, cousin. Anyway, forget about him. You’ll meet the love of your life when you least expect it. Look at Colby and me. We’re so in love and getting married. I never thought I’d find someone after Trey.”

“And I’m happy for both of you, but I’m done with guys for a long time. I’m focusing on my career and nothing else. Guys can fuck off.”

“You’re still young. You have plenty of time.”

“I feel old.”