Page 13 of 10 Signs You Need to Grovel

Even Mom’s face pinches. “Lying is no way to start a relationship with Max. You should know that better than anyone.”

The rebuke stings, but I’m not a criminal using my family to cover my money laundering.

“I’m trying to do right by Max. Find a way to make this transition go as smoothly for him as possible. And I don’t know anything about kids. If I accidentally do something to hurt or disappoint him, make whatever he’s going through harder . . .” I blink hard, trying to clear the burn behind my eyes. “I won’t hurt or disappoint him. One wrong move could scar him for life. And like I said, Sadie gets the final vote on this, but it’s important you’re all on board.”

When no one speaks, I force out a quiet “Please.”

Lennon massages his beard, taking his sweet-ass time. “Just to be clear, you want me to move my business so I can hire a tattooed alcoholic who just admitted he knows nothing about kids?”

Cal smacks Lennon’s head. Jake smirks.

I consider knocking the know-it-all look from Lennon’s face, but I unclench my fists. “I know you all think I’m some raging alcoholic, but that’s because you barely see me. Which is my fault,” I add before they pipe in. “Yes, I used to go on benders and graced you with my worst, but most of that time I was just hanging out alone in my apartment, sober. I barely drink these days, and I took classes the past month. First aid, CPR, and an eight-day outdoors instructor course. I even earned a babysitting certificate with a bunch of little girls. Since hiking is another version of walking, I consider myself fairly qualified now.”

“I’m thrilled you took courses,” Lennon says, gesturing wildly as he talks, “but this is my business reputation. When you lead kids on hikes, you can’t just grunt and glare. A team leader’s job is to build self-esteem. You have to make it fun for them. Offer interactive nature lessons and keep them on track. It may sound easy, but it takes work and patience. Do you honestly think you have the patience to handle a group of obnoxious kids?”

“I used to take Cal frog catching. This is just like that.”

“Yeah, but . . .” Cal gives a sheepish wince. “You used to nail me with rocks.”

“I won’t do that part.”

“Um.” E raises his hand. “Did no one catch the fact that Des took a babysitting course?”

They all snicker. Except Lennon, but I don’t waver. For ten years of witness protection, my choices were ripped from me. I barely remember what it’s like to have a goal and work toward it, but this determination feels good. Important.

I square my chest and stare him down.

Jake gives me his oldest-brother look—stern brown eyes boring into me. “Taking on part of Lennon’s programming is no joke, as is being responsible for a group of kids. You’re sure you have your shit together and won’t mess this up?”

“I’m sure,” I say, but a tremor runs through my hands. If this happens, I’ll have to buy more dummy books about being around kids.

Mom stands from the end table and comes to my side. “If this is what you need, we’ll support you. Lennon.” She runs a hand down my back and faces my infuriating brother. “You’ve talked about how your programs aren’t as busy in Houston as you’d like. Moving things to Windfall could help. Or you could set up a separate operation there for this one program.”

He doesn’t answer, but he doesn’t say no.

E rubs the small scar through his top lip the way he does when he’s nervous or thinking.

I gave him that defining mark the day he drew a picture of me with an inflated head. In retaliation, I threatened to tell Delilah he had wet dreams about her. A few flying fists later, E’s face went through the glass coffee table, and I was grounded for a week. Although the two of us laughed about it afterward, I snuck out that night and fixed E’s broken bicycle. He assumed Callahan, who was always quick to be the family pacifier, had done it. I never told him otherwise, and I don’t have it in me to tell him how on the edge of splintering I am now.

He stares at me another beat, then drops his obstinate chin. “I don’t love the lying part, but it sounds like this might be best for Max. As long as you protect Lennon’s business and Sadie agrees, I’ll play along.”

Jake and Callahan grunt their agreement.

“Have you all forgotten about me.” Lennon waves at us. “I’m the one you need to convince, and I’m not going to Windfall. I have no interest in living there.”

“But Maggie asks about you all the time,” E says, his tone antagonistic. Like he’s got dirt on Lennon.

Lennon’s neck flames red. “Like I said, I’m not going there.”

Unsure why those two are having a stare-off, I move between them and focus on Lennon. “You don’t need to be there. Like Mom said, we’ll keep it as a small satellite operation. One summer program and that’s it. If you trust me to not sink your reputation.”

I wouldn’t trust me, but this is all I’ve got. A Hail Mary pass snapped into the end zone, with the clock running down and the opposing team in the lead.

Lennon’s eyes dart to each of us, squinting as he breathes loudly. “I don’t have a say in this, do I?”

“Depends if you value that hipster beard and those eyebrows.” Jake makes a razor-buzzing sound.

“For the millionth time, I am not a hipster.” Lennon’s nostrils flare. “But, fuck it. Fine. You’re hired. If we do this, though, he has to listen to everything I say and follow all my rules. If he tanks my reputation, you’re all responsible.”