Page 89 of His End Game

He leans over and takes the bottle from me. I’m about to snatch it back when he takes a pull and slides it back.

“Did you know that every Friday while you were away, she bought flowers and laid them on India’s grave because you weren’t there to do it?”

I didn’t know that. I clutch my chest automatically, waiting on the pain, but it’s not pain for India I feel. It’s for Holly.

“Mom heard from Kristen months ago that she asked her for home movies of India when she was a kid so Rayna could see the connection to her mom.”

The pain grows and I try dousing it with the whisky. It doesn’t help.

“If you’re concerned about her taking India’s place, I wouldn’t. She has her own place in your life, in Rayna’s… in our family’s.”

“When the fuck did you start caring about other people so much?” I grunt.

“I don’t particularly, but when my brother shows up when he should be at the club back home, then that’s no good for any of us.”

“I didn’t even plan on coming here. It was just the first place I thought of.”

“You might not want to admit it, but for you to be this cut up over her, I’d guess you love her and that’s what you’re struggling with.”

I thought of India every day inside, but it was Holly I thought of more.

“I—”

“You can say it to me if not her, as long as you admit it and deal with it.”

“I’m thinking maybe your calling was to be a shrink. The patch is wasted on you.”

His laugh takes me by surprise, and I hang my head in my hands.

“I love her,” I admit. “She makes me wanna go home. When I was released, it was her I needed to see first. I watch her and Ray together and they fit. They have done since I took her home.”

“Maybe you should tell her this.”

My cigarette long ago burned out and I toss it in the ashtray.

“For what it’s worth, I don’t like seeing you like this. If she’s the one who brings my brother back, then I’m rooting for you both too.”

“How do you go from hating everyone to this?” I snort.

“Because the only thing standing between me and my pregnant old lady right now, is you and your blind ass. Not that I don’t love ya, but this is the first night in a while that I’ll be able to fall asleep next to her instead of creeping in after a night of cementing my place here in the city.”

I laugh and fuck me, it feels good.

“Show me where I can stay tonight, and I’ll get out of your hair tomorrow.”

Sliding off the stool, I grab my bag and quickly snatch a new bottle of whisky from behind the bar before following him up the stairs.

He throws open a door and I’m glad to see a bed. Fatigue hits me, or most likely the whisky, and I dump my bag on the floor.

“For what it’s worth, I’m glad you came to me. I’m always here for you, brother.”

“Just not when it cuts into your time with Victoria.” I laugh.

A slow smirk covers his face. “Everything cuts into my time with her.”

I tip my chin in understanding. “I get it. See you in the morning.”

He closes the door behind him, and I put the whisky down on the floor and fall on the bed.

Source: www.allfreenovel.com