Page 37 of Nixon’s Promise

My dad and Carla would be so disappointed in me. What the hell were they thinking, giving me guardianship? Carla had an older sister who lived in California, she had two grown children who were near my age, both very successful. Aunt Louise would’ve been a better choice with a proven track record of being a good parent. I didn’t have the first clue how to raise teenagers. Though Nixon seemed to know what to do, which was annoying and only proved I was totally failing.

I followed Mandy into the house and was surprised when I saw her in the kitchen finishing making the iced tea I’d started.

“Am I doing it right?” she asked as she added cold water to the pitcher.

“Yep.”

I moved around her not wanting to make a big deal of her helping. Something she never did.

The guys came in, washed up, and helped themselves to the baked ham and cheese sandwiches I’d made. They were quick and easy, and Zack’s favorite. Lunch was uncomfortable and tense. My brother kept throwing jabs Mandy’s way and for the most part she was staying quiet. Until she was clearing the table and Zack made a snide comment, telling her it was about time she got off her ass to help.

Mandy dropped the dishes in the sink and took off through the back porch, letting the door slam behind her.

I turned to Zack but Nixon beat me to it.

“Not cool, bud.”

“What? She pitches in one time and I should kiss her ass?”

“Nope. You should stay quiet and watch. You should also recognize your sister is going through something—”

“We all are.” Zack stood. “We all lost them. We all had to go through that. We all have to adjust. Not just me and Mandy, but McKenna, too. She didn’t have to take us in, but she did. And now Mandy spends two hours outside and what? That makes up for everything?”

“No, it doesn’t. And it may be a one-time thing. I don’t blame you for being guarded. But it says something about a man when he kicks someone when they’re down.” Nixon got up from his chair and walked to my brother. Then he did something so sweet, so beautiful, I’d never forget it for as long as I lived. He reached out and tagged my brother around the back of his neck and squeezed. “You’re right, McKenna didn’t have to do anything. But you’re also wrong. Your sister is the type of woman who would do anything for those she loved, so she did have to do it. And when she did, she did it without hesitation. I know you’re only fifteen but it’s now your job to help your sisters. And what McKenna needs right now is for you to be patient. Patient with her as she tries to help Mandy. Patient with her as she learns her new role as your guardian. Patient with her as she learns how to continue to guide you to be the man she knows you can be. What no one needs is you beatin’ up on your sister. Mandy knows she fucked up, she just doesn’t know what to do with that. And she doesn’t know how to make it right. Be the brother she needs and show her.”

Zack looked thoughtful for a moment before he nodded.

“Want me to put the bedding in?” Zack asked.

“No, you’ve done enough today. Thank you,” I told him.

“Is it alright if I go ride my dirt bike?”

“Sure. Be careful.”

Zack looked at Nix and did one of those man chin lifts and was out the door. Nixon turned to me and next thing I knew he had me pressed against the counter. His front tight against mine, and both of his hands on the counter near my hips.

“You okay?”

“I feel like you’re always asking me that.”

His smile was immediate. “Thanks for lunch, it was great.”

I rolled my eyes and smiled. “You swoop in and once again save the day. I feed you ham and cheese and you thank me? I should be thanking you and baking you about fifty-two-thousand batches of chocolate chip cookies.”

“Your cookies wouldn’t go unappreciated. You personally delivering them wouldn’t, either.”

My belly fluttered and girly parts tingled. “I’ll see what I can do.”

“The sooner the better, McKenna.”

We stood staring at each other and the tingling was turning into a quiver.

“I’ll make some this afternoon.”

“Plan on staying awhile.”

His voice had turned husky and that caused a full body tremble. The corner of his eyes crinkled and Nix’s sexy smile appeared.