Chapter 5
Nina
As John helped me clean the mess I’d made, I asked, “Who was that?”
“Steel?” he asked, chuckling. “That’s my nephew, Austin.” John said, wiping my coffee off the floor.
Nephew? I didn’t think John was old enough to be his uncle.Steel has almost as much gray hair as John.Not that it looked bad.
It made him look distinguished. Ashley would call him a silver fox if he were a character in her book.
The rest of his handsome face reminded me of a scowling gargoyle, and the intensity in his steel-blue eyes scared me.
Steel indeed.
It wasn’t his fault;I’d been looking back over my shoulder, admittedly not paying attention, when I slammed into the tall, solid wall of a man in a grey suit.
Well, taller than me. Which wasn’t a challenge. He was actually on the short side compared to his cousins. Jack and Jay were at least three inches taller.
“Is he one of Eva’s brothers?” I asked, kneeling beside him and trying to take the wet, dirty rag from John.
“Here, I’ve got it.” He took my dirty rags from me instead. “And yes, he’s her oldest brother. He works overseas a lot, so we don’t see him often.”
“I’m sorry he left early because of me.”
“No need to apologize; he wouldn’t have stayed much longer anyway.” John’s voice held a sadness I wasn’t used to hearing.
I wanted to believe him, but still felt guilty.
“Go on, go enjoy the party,” John shooed me away.
I contemplated going home too, so I didn’t create any more scenes or chase away any more family members.
As I walked by Madi, Matt, and Jamie, I heard Jamie say, “As much as you complain about us being overprotective, you fell in love with someone just like us.”
“At least he respects me while he’s being overprotective,” Madi shot back.
As an only child, I couldn’t imagine what it must’ve been like growing up with three brothers. I’d often dreamed of having an older brother to look out for me, or a younger sister I could take care of, but they were just that: dreams. Bobby and Jodie couldn’t have kids of their own.
I often wondered if adopting a second child would’ve been easier, especially since the next kid wouldn’t be a Jane Doe likeme. Technically, they’d listed me as Nina Doe because Nina was embroidered on my blanket.
Easier or not, my parents couldn’t afford the adoption process a second time.
“As he should,” Jamie said. “He’s aware of the consequences if he doesn’t.”
“I’m right here,” Matt replied. “And I don’t respect Madi because of your lame ass threats.”
“Thanks, Robin,” Madi said.
“Anytime, Red,” Matt replied.
Matt’s nickname made sense; it was half his last name. Madi’s was a complete mystery. She didn’t have red hair, and her favorite color was purple.
Hence Grannie’s being decked out in purple from top to bottom.
I’d never have the courage to ask why, so I’d never know.
Turning away, I walked towards the breakroom at the back of the shop to grab my stuff out of my locker.
