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“I don’t care, it’s time to go.”
Isaiah stepped forward. “Angela, let’s talk. Don’t leave like this.”
She met his gaze. “Are you saying you’re sorry for paying my rent without telling me and that you’re willing to talk to me before stepping in and taking over my finances?”
Isaiah rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I was only trying to help.”
“And I’m only telling you that I’m not looking for a dictator.”
CHAPTER 23
“You know her leaving is for the best.”
Tim’s voice interrupted Isaiah’s vain attempt to watch television in his upstairs media room. Isaiah leaned back in the chair and pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Did you pick the small straw or something?” Isaiah asked, feeling weary. After Angela left, he’d gone upstairs to get away from his family’s prying eyes and questioning probes.
Tim came into the room and sank onto the couch next to Isaiah. “I’m the one you’re most likely to listen to. That was the way it was when you were in high school and that hasn’t changed.”
“This isn’t like high school,” Isaiah said.
“Isn’t it? You fall for the wrong girl, try to help her out and things turn out badly. You still haven’t learned your lesson.”
“I’m not doing anything wrong being with Angela, or trying to help her.”
“Maybe not, but you still can’t help yourself when you see a damn damsel in distress,” Tim said with a chuckle. “You trying to help Angela is no different than when you chained yourself to a fence to stop the university from tearing down the project homes Veronica stayed in. You were so in love and ready to save her you didn’t stop to think about the consequences. You lost a scholarship and nearly cost Mom her job at the university.”
“It wasn’t that bad.”
“It wasn’t that good, either. Think of what it’ll mean to be with Angela. You’re the good guy of the league. You don’t need a woman you’ll have to defend all the time.”
“Who says I’ll have to defend her? I care about her. This isn’t a teenage crush and I’m not jumping into something because my hormones told me to do it.” He was tired of being judged because of one bad decision when he was much younger.
“Are you sure? The incident at the club? You broke up with Bridget after being with her for years. I’m not sure you’re really thinking with the head on your shoulders versus the head below your belt. Make sure you know what you’re doing before you go after her. Bridget is still interested. She cares about you. Don’t let go of a woman who’s doing something and going somewhere, because of a pretty face and a tight body.”
Isaiah glared at his brother. “She’s more than a pretty face. And she’s going somewhere. Angela worked as an advocate for kids in the foster system before the incident at the club cost her the job. She’s also a damn good bartender and using the money she makes at the club to finish graduate school. Just because she isn’t a lawyer, doesn’t mean she’s a lesser person.”
He didn’t regret paying her rent. He would do it again if it made things easier on her, but listening to Tim malign her position made him realize he shouldn’t have made a big deal about her quitting. She was a lot more than her job. He was just as wrong by diminishing her to just that.
Isaiah stood abruptly. “I’ve got to go.” He hurried toward the door.
“Isaiah, are you sure?” Tim called after him.
“Yes, I’m sure.” He walked out and nearly ran into his mother on the other side of the door. She wore the look in her face that she had when she’d picked him up at the police station for chaining himself to a fence for love. “Mom, don’t try to stop me.”
She held up a hand. “I’m not. I like Angela. She’s a smart woman and she likes you.”
“Then you know I have to go after her and apologize?”
“I just want you to be happy. And to be sure. It’s unfair to her and Bridget if you change your mind later.”
Isaiah nodded. “Bridget isn’t the woman I fell in love with.”
