“I thought she wasn’t speaking to you,” Noah said. “She seemed mad, as if you were really breaking up.”
Jayce smiled and shrugged. “Things change. I went to see her while I was in Manhattan on vacation. All is forgiven.”
“So did you call us all here to tell us you have a girlfriend?” Dante asked. “That ain’t news, bro. You get more tail than any of us.”
“Dante! Really!” their mother called out from the kitchen.
His brothers chuckled.
“No, smart-ass. That isn’t the news. She may need my help, and I don’t know what to do.”
Mr. Fierro cleared his throat. “So instead of trying to figure out how to solve problems so you can lead your brothers, you want to drag them into solving someone else’s problem?”
“You want me to lead by example, right? Well, Dad, that’s what I’m doing. I’m just more democratic about it than you are. When someone we care about needs our help, I thought we banded together to help.”
“So you care about this girl?” Miguel asked.
“Yeah. I do.”
“I never thought I’d see the day when you’d get serious about a woman. I thought you were the perpetual playboy,” Mrs. Fierro said as she reentered the dining room with tiramisu and plates on a tray. “Antonio, will you please serve this while I get the coffee?”
Antonio rose and took the tray from her, albeit reluctantly.
“So, this girl… What can we do?” Noah asked, looking at Jayce.
“That’s just it,” their father said as he dished up dessert. “He doesn’t know. He wants you to tell him.” He gave Jayce the stink eye.
“I have to swear you all to secrecy first.”
“Jesus. What the hell have you gotten yourself into?” Dante asked.
“Swear none of this information will leave this room,” Jayce demanded, resolute.
All the people in the room raised their right hands and swore themselves to secrecy. Jayce nodded. “Her name is Kristine Scott. It’s kind of a long story, so get comfortable…”
