“Not much. Sybil called. Said he wants to set up a time to meet with him.” Archie scoffs.
“So nothing’s changed? He’s still using her to get to us.”
Archie shrugs. “That surprises you? Why would anything change after thirty years of servitude?”
I huff. “True…she didn’t say anything else?”
He shakes his head. “She left a message. I haven’t returned the call.”
Sybil’s been my dad’s personal assistant for as long as I can remember. She’s the only woman he’s been faithful to, keepingher on through his series of wives, girlfriends, and messy divorces. She’s helped him navigate them all.
“To be fair…” Archie ticks his head to the side. “We’ve both blocked him. She’s his only source to contact us.”
“Speak for yourself. I blocked her, too. And Brandon, for that matter. Somehow Malcolm still found me.” Anger bubbles in my chest, and I search for a way to blame Malcolm for the hurt I’m feeling right now.
But the truth is, that hurt is mostly about leaving Cal and Junie behind. And the social media stalker who found me is the one to blame for that. Her video started this whole chain of events. I reckon she’s the reason Brandon found me, too.
I wonder, though, if he would have come for me if not for Malcolm, despite what he said about looking for me.
“What do you make of it?” I ask Archie and Piper. “You think he’s really sick? Or is this a tactic to get something from us? Another Malcolm manipulation.”
Archie shrugs.
“Malcolm manipulation. One hundred percent,” Piper says.
Piper’s got as much beef with him as Archie and I do, having been his stepdaughter for a few years—long story. He adored her until she refused to do what he wanted.
“I think you may be right.” My eyes dart from her to Archie who winces. He’s always wanted to see the best in Malcolm, even when Malcolm consistently showed him his worst.
“You’re not this upset over Malcolm,” Piper says bluntly. “What else?” She searches my face. “What’s happened with Cal?”
Archie’s head whips to her. Piper’s a bit more aware than my brother. The two of us have had conversations Archie and I haven’t, which makes me hesitant to say anything in front ofhim. I’m trying to keep feelings for Cal stuffed away. It won’t do any good airing them now.
“Come on,” Piper coaxes.
I drop my gaze to the chipped pink polish on my fingernails. “I told him goodbye.”
“Why?” Piper asks.
“I can’t drag him into this. He’s got a kid. She’s got to come first.”
“Is that what he said?”
“More or less.” My stomach rumbles. I haven’t eaten anything since Jo’s chicken salad at our picnic in the grove—which seems like a lifetime ago.
“Which one is it?” Piper prods. “More or less?”
“We both agreed it’s best we don’t get attached,” I say, a bit defensive. My belly follows up with another loud growl.
“How about I order some food? Sushi?” Archie reaches for his mobile on the coffee table.
“Good call,” I answer.
Arch knows I'm cranky when I’m hungry. I ignore Piper’s prying look as he dials a number on his mobile then puts it on speaker.
“Kenzo Sushi,” a man with a heavy Japanese accent answers.
“Hey, Ken. It’s Archie. Give me the usual.”
