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I’m going to bust her ass. All of the sacrifices I’ve made, and she’s going to sit here and tell me she’s dropping out. Sid and I could have been killed fighting those gang members to keep her safe.
I’ve eaten so many cans of beans so she could have full meals or school supplies or a new flute or so she could go on some school trip.
Gregor catches me around the waist before I can fully lunge at her. I struggle in his hold. Tears spill down my cheeks. It hits me like a ton of bricks. I’ve failed my mother.
All she wanted was for me to get Ally through college. I thought having my baby would keep me from doing that, but Ally has fucked her life up all on her own and I don’t know where to begin to fix the mess she’s making.
“Brodi, put me down and mind your business,” I hiss.
He drops me like I’m on fire. I pause and close my eyes. I haven’t called him Brodi in weeks. This is bursting the fragile bubble we’ve created.
I open my eyes as the tears flow and lift a hand. “Ally, I don’t know what’s going on, but you better pull the brakes on this train wreck before I find out. I’m not your enemy, don’t make me one. I’m here to help you and take care of you when you need. I’m not the villain.”
With that, I turn and follow after my husband who has stormed from the apartment. My head hurts. I’m torn between my sister and my husband. Ally always comes first, but this time it doesn’t feel like she should. She’s hiding things from me.
* * *
Gregor
I don’t know why I thought I’d catch a break coming back home. The plane didn’t touch down before my father requested my presence.
I was thrown back in time to that call that made my decision final. It was right when Chloe and I first went away, when I’d planned to tell her I wanted her to come with me.
I’ll never forget the rage I felt after that call. It was then I realized I either had to take Chloe with me or let her go for good, because he knew about her. If I kept in touch, he could get to her while I wasn’t around to protect her.
I chose to make it seem like she meant nothing to me, by leaving her behind and not showing any interest until I could keep an eye on her life. It was risky but I had hoped it would work.
Now here I am. On the verge of having all I want, but my father is lurking with his plans and Cee is slipping through my fingers because my little brother and her sister have somehow tied themselves together.
She’s right, Cane has had a problem in the past. However, I want to give him the benefit of the doubt. Old habits die hard, Cane may move like a junkie, but those are tics that have stayed with him. I know them for what they are. It doesn’t mean he’s using now.
I look down at a sleeping Chloe. She’s the only one in my life who I seem to be able to keep happy.
Just wait until she’s a teenager.
I snort at the thought. I can’t even blame Cee for her anger. She’s done so much to see Ally be successful in life. I remember the way she talked about doing whatever she could to honor the promise she made to her mother. Those words were the ones that made me leave and allow her to care for her sister.
Movement by the door causes me to turn my gaze to it. Cee stands in the threshold of little Chloe’s room. She has her arms around her waist. Her eyes are sad as she looks back at me.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for you to get in the middle of that,” she says softly.
I turn to kiss Chloe’s head and then stand to leave the room. I lace my fingers with Cee’s. She looks up at me pleadingly. I’m not angry with her.
Yes, it stung for her to call me Brodi. I thought we were beyond that. However, like I said, I understand.
“This isn’t about me and I’m not going to make it about me. Give her time, you should cool off and then talk to her. You’re right, my brother has had a troubled past, but he’s not going to hurt her.
“I can see it in his eyes. I know Cane better than anyone. It was me he came to when he needed to sort his shit out.
“He’s not that person. Not the one you see and want to paint him as. Cane is deeper than what meets the eye.”
I stop us in the bedroom and turn to her as I finish my words. She purses her lips as she searches my eyes. It’s clear she’s thinking my words over.
“She’s all I have, Gregor. I’ve spent my entire life looking after her. And what? I’m just supposed to forget that role now? What about my promise?”
“No one’s telling you to forget. She’s an adult. Give her space to figure out what she wants. I’m sure your mother will forgive you for not keeping your promise.
“You’ve done a great job trying. I can promise you this. I’ll protect her with my life. Allow her to make mistakes and learn. Clayton, Cane, and I are all here watching out for her. She’s in good hands.”
“Yeah, but I want her to tell me the truth. What’s really going on?”
“Give her time.”
She releases a heavy breath. “Fine.”
“Come on, take a bath with me. It was a long flight. It’s been a long day. Tomorrow I’m introducing Chloe to my family. I could use some time to relax with my wife.”
This gets me a small smile. I’ll take it.
