I stand there a moment longer, my jaw clenched, then go back inside.
Drew looks up. “Ivy’s dad?”
“Yes.”
He winces. “Want backup?”
I shake my head. “You’ve done enough for one lifetime.”
He snorts weakly. “You sure about that?”
I look at my brother for a few beats before saying, “I told her what happened to our dad.”
Drew sucks in a breath. “And?”
I shrug. “She’s Ivy. Handled it perfectly.”
A smile curls his lips. “I knew she would. Takes a lot to rattle her.”
“Yeah, it does.” My voice is soft. Reverent.
His smile fades. He cocks his head, studying me. “She’s already family, whether you admit it or not.”
I suck in a breath, waiting for the mind-numbing fear to take over. But it doesn’t come.
I meet my brother’s knowing eyes. “She’s nothing like Mom. Or Julia.” His voice is soft.
“I know.”
“That’s where I went wrong. I married someone like Mom.” Drew’s throat works as he stares vacantly out the window.
Then his eyes swing to me. “She’s not like Dad, either.”
I nod, pain coursing through my chest. “No, she’s not.”
“What I’m trying to say is, you’re not repeating the cycle. Not with her. You’re not Mom or Dad. And neither is she.”
I blink rapidly, looking away. I’m usually level-headed. Factual.
But not today.
I approach my brother. “Thanks, Drew. And I know it’s been years since I said it. But... I love you, bro.”
He looks shocked for a beat before he smiles and gets to his feet. “Love ya, big bro.”
Then he hugs me tight, just like when we were kids.
And I hug him back just as tightly.
Before I can say another word, headlights sweep across the front of the house.
I pull away from Drew, bracing myself.
That was fast.
Ivy’s daddoesn’t knock. He just barges inside like the door personally offended him.
He’s tall. Broad. Graying at the temples. The kind of man who built his life on control and competence and doesnotappreciate being challenged.
