Tough Love (Hidden Secrets) by P. J. Belden Read Free Book Online

for my sister. Mary and Kayla are both expecting. I can’t wait for more nieces or nephews to spoil.  Then theirs Nate, though he’s not dating any member of the family, he’s still my brother. He helped save Kayla and fell in love with my sister Mary, but sadly Mary fell in love with Tobey. Then there are my blood siblings; Jake-my twin, Eli, Colt, Jeff, Nick, and twins Kylee and Mylee.”
    “Damn, your parents were busy.” Blushing red at what I just said. “I mean with chasing eleven kids around.”
    His laughter fills the room again, “Yeah, they were, but honestly, I don’t think they’d have it any other way. If you ask me they have been a little lost since we’ve all grown up and moved out on our own.”
    Turning so he can’t see the tears in my eyes at the thought of my parents not being around. That was harder than having to raise the boys. To know what they were missing all because of me.
    Jackson walked up behind me, placing his hands on my shoulders and turning me around. “I’m sorry. I know it must be so hard.” He says softly, looking down at me with sadness.
    The first tear fell. Jackson pulled me into a hug and the damn broke. I just cried, releasing everything that built inside of me out. He held on to me, running his hand through my hair. Resting his cheek on the top of my head, he whispered to me to let it all out.
    Pulling myself together after a moment, I stepped back from his warm, comforting embrace. “I’m sorry. Some days it just overwhelms me. Gah! Okay, I need to figure out supper.”
    Turning around, I started searching for something to eat again. Jackson being there was so damn distracting and he shouldn’t be. He shouldn’t distract me from anything.
    “So, about this weekend?” Jack says after a while.
    “Are you sure about this,” I turn around from cutting up potatoes to ask. “Please don’t feel obligated to do this. We’re okay just being us.”
    It wasn’t like it was a lie. We have been just us for a year now. I’m used to just having me and the boys. Do I hate my days? No. Are they exhausting? Yes, definitely. Honestly, I’m unsure of the last time I got a full night’s sleep even when my parents were alive because I was still there for the boys. My life hasn’t changed, only became more permanent.

Chapter Five
    Jackson
     
     
     
     
    “Are you sure about this,” stopping from chopping potatoes to turn and ask. “Please don’t feel obligated to do this. We’re okay just being us.” Sadness was both in her eyes and in her voice. It truly broke my heart.
    “I want to do this. It’s a cookout at my sister’s ranch. They’ll have so much to do and animals to see. They can meet my family, so can you. I’d really love it if you’d come. It’s Friday. I could pick you up once I’m done at work.”
    She sighs, “Okay. I’ll do this for them. They are really taken with you. Surprising honestly. But I will drive there. I need to have a way to leave because Sebastian doesn’t do well in groups of people.”
    “Fair enough.”
    Just then the boys run into the kitchen. “We’re done! Come on! Come check!”
    “We did it really good.” Sebastian yells excitedly.
    Laughing, I let them tug me down the hall to their playroom. When I walked in there, I noticed a small couch, a television, some boxes that assumed housed toys. There were also a couple gaming systems next to the television.
    “Wow, you guys did an amazing job. I’m proud of you.”
    “Holy crap! I’m in the wrong house.” Shannon says shocked.
    “Sissy Shan Shan, you’re funny,” Sebastian says laughing.
    “Yeah,” Atreyu is laughing too, “this is our playroom, in our house.”
    Smiling at them, their laughter was infectious. Looking at Shannon and seeing the smile on her face made my heart sore. What the hell was it with this woman?
    “Well, Jack, did we do enough?”
    Kneeling down, “Yeah buddy, you did way more than enough. You earned your secret prize. Do you guys want