“Exactly, why should she go any easier on him just because he’s family?” Papi chimes in.
My teeth clench. These words are meant for no one but me. Millie must feel my body stiffen because beneath the cover of the stadium blanket, her thumb gently strokes the back of my hand. I’ve told her a little about what it’s been like to take the reins from Papi when he was so reluctant to give them. He would have kept working for another twenty years if his body would have let him.
When he went into the hospital, his options were to put me in charge, sell the business—which wouldn’t have amounted to much more than the equipment, especially after settling what we still owe on two small business loans—or close up shop and declare bankruptcy.
I’ve understood from the start that I’m the least of three evils.
If he could go back to work, I’d happily step aside. If only to get him to shut the hell up and stop resenting me.
All the more reason to give Millie this choice. I already know what it feels like to be someone’s backup plan. And for them to hate me for it.
That’s the last thing I want from Millie.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
MILLIE
The Lions lost,and everyone seems to be feeling it.
Harry’s in a foul mood because of the missed kick. Mattie looks wounded, and I think it’s because Alex didn’t talk to her after the game. I tried to tell her he probably wasn’t feeling very sociable after his second penalty flag. And Emmett is just feeding off his brother and sister.
The one who worries me the most, though, is Luc. He’s been sullen and brooding since he showed up tonight.
Come to think of it, something’s been a little off since Monday. Since we made love.
And. What. The. Hell?
I was there. It was spectacular. Unparalleled.
Not that I have much of a frame of reference.
But even without that, it was incredible. Cosmic. Otherworldly. I couldn’t have been the only one who thought so. In fact, while we cuddled, he’d said it was, and I quote, “the single best moment of my life.”
I’m sure those were his exact words because I think they’re now tattooed in a place of honor on my soul.
So why does he seem so distant? And, I can’t be sure, but I’d swear he was totally pissed at the game. Though I’m pretty dang sure it wasn’t at me.
But he says he wants to talk, and it makes me nervous. And I’ve got enough to be nervous about in my life.
Still, Luc does us a solid by picking up Judice Inn burgers after the game so we can come straight home. I send Harry up so he can shower first. Maybe it’ll help put him past the loss. Emmett feeds and plays with Clarence, and Mattie is finishing her homework when Luc comes in with dinner.
Emmett is about to nosedive into his when I stop him.
“Hey, buddy, let’s wait for Harry and eat as a family, ‘kay?”
He slumps. “But I’m so hungry.”
I’m about to negotiate with him when Luc cups an ear and cocks his head at the ceiling. “I don’t hear the shower,” he says, then gestures toward the stairs. “Why don’t you go up,jefe, and tell him grub’s here. Let’s see how fast you can do it.”
Emmett perks up. “Time me.”
Smiling, Luc digs his phone out of his back pocket before tapping on the screen. “Okay…Go!”
My little brother takes off.
“Tell Mattie too!” I call after him.
“That’ll mess up my time!” he shouts back, stomping up the stairs.
