A knot rises in my throat, and I stop before my voice cracks anymore. Or worse, I break down again.
Piper nods. “I know. I know, Frankie. You had a toughchoice to make.” She pauses. “But sometimes, in the past when you’ve had a tough choice or a conflict, you’ve run from it.”
Her eyes dart to the floor. I look from her to Archie, who won’t meet my eye.
“You agree with her?” I ask him.
Archie rakes his hand through his hair. “You’re putting me in a tough spot, Sissy, between my sister and my girlfriend.”
“I came back because Malcolm’s sick, and your girlfriend is accusing me of running. All I’m asking is if you agree with her.” I give him a pointed look, very clearly nudging him toward whose side he should take.
As soon as he lifts his shoulder in a slow, shrug, I’ve lost. “To be fair, you’ve said it yourself, Frankie. Avoidance is your preferred method of attack when it comes to a problem.”
My mouth falls open. I’m ready to defend myself, until a similar conversation I’ve had with Cal comes back to me. A conversation we had while he was helping me run away from cameras.
But this isn’t the same thing.
“That doesn’t mean I’m running this time,” I say so weakly, I can’t even convince myself.
“Okay.” Piper puts up her hands. “I don’t want to argue. The important thing is, you’re here, and Archie and I will take care of you.” She rests her arm on my leg and takes my hand. “But maybe keep what I’ve said in mind. Instead of assuming you have to choose between Cal and a career you love, have the hard conversation with him first.”
With a quick nod, I slide my hand from hers and face my brother. “Is Kenzo delivering, or do we need to pick it up?”
Archie jumps up like he’s discovered an escape hatch on a sinking sub. “I’ll pick it up.”
But Piper’s up almost as fast as he is. “You stay here with Frankie. I’ll grab it.”
Before he can argue, she touches his arm and gives him a look. She’ll be going out the escape hatch first.
As soon as she’s out the door, Archie gives me a nervous, conciliatory grin.
“Bruh…” I push myself off the couch and walk to his fridge, swinging it open so hard the glass bottles inside rattle.
“Pipey’s smarter than we gave her credit for when she was a kid,” he says, as though that makes up for him not defending me.
I roll my eyes and grab a beer. “I’m done with this convo.”
“Thought you didn’t like beer.”
“I don’t, but it’s the most expensive drink in your fridge, and I’m feeling a bit passive aggressive.” I crack open the can, pour the beer into a glass and carry it back to my spot on the couch.
“So, what do we do about Dad…Malcolm?” I correct myself. “We have to see him, right? If for no other reason, Bran also mentioned that Malcolm said something about our trust funds.”
“Forgot to mention that part, didn’t ya?” Archie raises his eyebrows.
“Did I?”
“Yeah, ya did, Frank. Sorta makes a difference.” He flops next to me on the couch and tips his head to the ceiling. “The way I see it, we’ve got two choices for connecting with him…” He grabs my glass and takes a long sip. “Your dodgy ex or She-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named.”
I snort. “Poor Syb. Think she knows we call her that?”
“No way she doesn’t. She knows everything.”
I nod, take back my beer and sip from it. “I’m not letting Bran back in. That’s one choice I’ve already made.”
“Good on ya’.” Archie says. “That’s enough decisions for one night. Ringing Sybil back can wait until tomorrow.”
We look at each other, and I reckon my face holds the same worried look his does.
