Jace appeared a moment later with a six-pack of light beer and a very dusty blonde mop of hair, slumping back into his spot next to Annie. “It’s ...een in the garage since mom left.” He shrugged and popped a can out of the plastic ring handing it to Annie “Dad won’t even notice it’s gone. And I’m here alone tonight so were safe on the parental front too.” Annie turned the can thoughtfully in her hand and set it down on the coffee table in front of her. “Oh,” Jace said as his face fell, “You. He could use a drink or six himself.Still, it was Coke Zero with dinner. Max might talk a good game about poker, but Simon was a tough competitor - predictable only in that he seemed to have an almost supernatural ability to detect weakness and exploit it. Beyond that, half the table would be people he’d never played with before. He wouldn’t be surprised to find some of them were really good players, particularly Shelby and Cat.Arwen might think Shelby was an easy mark, but Max wasn’t sure he. .. if he does disable you... I promise to stand by you. In sickness and in health, remember." You can't leave me out to dry." I know... But I dread to think where all this is going to lead too." I noticed the soiled tissue on the coffee table. I could have sworn that I placed mine in my pocket. I shoved my hand in the pocket and, sure enough, felt my tear filled tissue. "Toby?" What?" You've been wanking." No I haven't." Yes you have." I picked up the soiled tissue and threw it at him. "Indian. I notice quite a few rose petals trailing upstairs and into the bedroom. My grin grows as I follow the petals. I reach the closed door and knock once before it opens. My brother steps out and closes the door behind him. He leans into me, embracing me in a hug as he asks how my day went, and planting small kisses on my face. I smile and lean up to kiss his soft lips. My brother is a handsome guy, fairly tanned skin, tall, muscular, dark haired; brown eyed… basically every woman’s dream man. We.