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"I know a lot more than you think. Unlike you, I pay attention when Mandy talks to me." His brother-in-law remained quiet. "She put all her energy into those kids because she’s been forced to practically raise them by herself. If you would’ve helped her out and taken on half the duties, she would’ve had more time for you."
"Whoa," Jeff gasped. "You really do know a lot."
Nodding in agreement, Drew said, "Your children will be just fine without you. They always have been."
Turning away, Jeff clutched his head and let out an anguished moan. "I messed up," he confessed.
Drew snorted. "Gee, you think?"
"What do I do? How do I fix this?"
Sounding like a broken record, because he’d already repeated these exact same words to Mandy, he said, "I don’t know." He didn’t mention how he didn’t think Jeff could fix anything, but he definitely thought it.
"Thank you, Drew," his brother-in-law murmured. "You made me realize a few things I hadn’t understood before."
Wanting to be nasty and tell him it was about time he pulled his head out of the sand, Drew remained quiet.
"I’ll see you later," Jeff said. He turned and started for his charger.
Wondering if he really would see Jeff ever again, Drew watched him go.
Chapter Fifteen
Mia turned into Harper Studio’s driveway, wondering for the thousandth time if coming here was a huge mistake. She had to be the last person Drew wanted to talk to. But she couldn’t stay away.
He’d been so upset when he’d come for his sister’s husband. She worried how he was taking everything.
She’d stayed away for almost a week, but the worry ate at her, so she waited a few hours longer, until she was sure he had to be off work for the evening and she started over, anxiety spiking from head to toe.
The front door was open, just like the first time she had visited, letting a draft float through his screen. She pushed the doorbell and took a cautious step back.
He must’ve been cooking because he appeared with a greasy spatula in hand.
"Hi," she said, and took another step back, holding her breath.
His step faltered. "Mia?"
The wavering smile she sent wasn’t so encouraging, but she tried anyway. "May I come in?"
His mouth opened, but his didn’t immediately speak, the internal debate clear in his eyes.
Before he could answer, a beeping came from the back of his house and he jumped. So did she.
"Hold on," he told her, turning on his heel and hurrying toward the kitchen timer.
As soon as he disappeared, she opened the door and stepped into the front room. Figuring that was as bold as she could get, she wandered along the walls, noticing he’d hung new pictures. The 20 x 24 framed portrait of Amanda cradling a sleeping boy on her shoulder caught her attention. This must be his nephew. She lifted her finger to touch the boy’s cheek through the glass.
He was precious. As hard as he slept against his mother, she could tell he was a wild one, full of life and always raring to go. Just like Lexie had been. She’d be a couple of years younger than him if she was alive.
Footsteps approaching behind her told Mia that Drew had taken care of whatever had needed his attention in the kitchen. She turned as he rounded the corner and pulled to a startled stop.
"Oh," he said when he realized she’d come in.
Mia waited a heartbeat for him to explode and kick her out. When he didn’t, she took a breath to bolster her courage. "How’s your sister?"
He shot her a bitter look. "She’s getting a divorce," he looked evilly pleased to report. "They’ve already set up custody, and this is her kids’ first weekend with their father."
"Oh." She stared down at her clasped hand. Did divorces move so fast?
