Chapter 23

The front door opened with a bang and after a second Matt hollered, “Hello family. I have arrived.”

“Did your watch break again?” sixteen-year-old Grace yelled.

“People, people. One would think you were raised by wolves.” Mr. Byrne shook his head, but he wasn’t angry. He had a fond look on his face, and there was no doubt that he adored his family. Loud or not.

A few seconds later Matt sauntered into the dining room. “Why is it so quiet in here? Did someone finally cave and drug the H-Sisters?”

“Matthew!” Both parents admonished him at the same time.

He did a double take when he noticed me. “Becks? What are you doing here?”

“He’s here with me,” Levi said, and they were the first words he’d uttered out loud since we sat down to eat.

I reached out for his hand that lay fisted on his thigh under the table, enveloped it with mine, and gave him a squeeze. The displeased wrinkle between his eyes disappeared. He opened his fist and laced his fingers with mine.