Read Online All of My Soul by Jenni Wilder - Free Book Online Page A

the
classic model look. They were always super skinny, incredibly tall,
and blond. They were the exact opposite of my sister. Not that she
was unattractive by any means, but she would never be an underwear
model. She had more important things to worry about than the size
of her waistline or if her thighs touched when she walked. My heart
hurt for my sister sitting next to me at our table.
    “It’s okay!” Rebecca said to me. I think she
could tell I wanted to give Deacon a piece of my mind. “It was one
night of fun. I knew that was all it would ever be the first time I
kissed him. I’m not mad at him or anything. You’re both making
something out of nothing.”
    “So it won’t be awkward between you two?”
Kennedy asked.
    “I guess we’ll find out, won’t we?” Rebecca
nodded toward the door. Lincoln had just walked in followed by his
teammates Deacon and Matt and Matt’s girlfriend, Kailey.
    Lincoln’s eyes found me instantly through the
crowded bar, and he quickly wove in between bodies and groups of
people to make his way to our table. Everyone stood to welcome our
friends, and Lincoln immediately came to my side to kiss me.
Deacon, Matt, and Kailey were slower about getting to the table,
and when Lincoln turned away from me to shake Brian’s hand, the
three of them had just reached us. I was curious to see if Deacon
would act uncomfortable around my sister, but as soon as he reached
our little area of the restaurant, he made a beeline for Rebecca.
He crashed into her, and his mouth was instantly on hers.
    Kennedy and I both gasped with surprise as
Rebecca tensed in Deacon’s arms for a moment but then melted into
the kiss. So much for avoiding awkwardness!
    Everyone stared at the two of them as they
broke their kiss, and Deacon smiled down at Rebecca. They both must
have realized at the same time that we were all staring at them.
They turned to us, and Rebecca’s face went red, but Deacon didn’t
look the least bit ashamed.
    “What?” he asked, seemingly surprised we were
watching them.
    Lincoln chuckled and Kennedy shook her head
at Deacon with amusement. I smiled widely at my sister. For as much
as she denied having any deep connection with Deacon, I think she
had been slightly hurt he had brushed her off so easily. I didn’t
know what was going on between them, but it made me happy to see
that she still held his interest.
     
    We had been at Patrick’s for several hours.
Empty glasses and dirty plates littered our table as we talked and
laughed with each other. I was just finishing my sixth green beer
and feeling pretty tipsy when the noise level in the bar dropped
dramatically, catching my attention. I looked up and saw my brother
and his partner standing in the doorway of the bar. It’s amazing
how quickly two uniformed policemen walking into a bar can silence
a crowd.
    “Rebecca!” I said louder than I intended.
“Rebecca! It’s Elliot!” I stood up and held on to the table as I
swayed slightly. “ELLIOT!” I hollered across the bar to get my
brother’s attention.
    Lincoln was immediately next to me, holding
me steady with his big strong hands. Mm… I loved those hands.
    “ELLIOT!” I called out again.
    “Shh… baby. He sees you. Stop yelling,”
Lincoln said into my ear.
    I turned to look at him, but he was closer
than I thought, and I had trouble focusing on his face. “Was I
yelling?” I asked him with a giggle.
    Lincoln smiled at me. “How many have you had
to drink?”
    “S’only five… six,” I said with a slight
slur.
    “Maybe you should have some water, hm?” He
offered me his half-full glass. I gladly took it and drank the
remainder before setting it down and smacking my lips. I wiped my
mouth with the back of my sleeve and smiled up at Lincoln. His eyes
sparkled with amusement.
    “Hey everyone,” Elliot said as he and his
partner approached our table.
    “Elliot!” I cried and scooted around the
table. I collided with him and hugged him around his neck. When