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“They might’ve worked it out. You and Marlow—”
“We had you and Dad. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
I shoved at his chest. “You never wished we had a mother? Promised whoever’s up there that you’d be good if she’d just come back.” I waved toward the ceiling.
“Yeah. I did. But somewhere along the way, I realized if she didn’t want us, I didn’t want her.” He pressed his lips together in a flat line.
“You hate her. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have had to live your whole life with that.”
“How I feel toward her has nothing to do with you. She chose to leave. And she would have whether you came along or not.” Andrew scowled. “The sooner you see that, the better off you’ll be.”
“She wants back into your life. You can have that. I promise I won’t get in the way.”
His expression was resolute. “I don’t want anything to do with her. Ever.”
“You don’t mean that.”
“There is no apology or excuse she can make that would change my mind. I won’t let her poison Trish and Ella with whatever game she’s playing. Look at what she’s doing to Marlow. She’s not going to take you or Dad or Marlow away from me either.”
I leaned against the wall and hung my head. “If Marlow wants a relationship with her, I don’t blame her. Hell, I’ve spent most of my life wishing for the same thing.” I looked at Andrew. “It’s the fact that she’s been sneaking around. I’m starting to think it’s been for years.”
He rested against the railing opposite me. “I honestly have no idea what to do. But you made the right call tonight about Dad. He was happier than I’ve seen him in quite some time.”
“I couldn’t do it. We were all together, and he thought—hoped—it was because we wanted to be. Nothing else.” I gripped the handrail. “I couldn’t take that from him.”
“Maybe if he and Mrs. Quinn get back together, she’ll soften the blow about Marlow.”
“Maybe.”
I hoped so. Dad deserved happiness. And more. Not betrayal. Was Andrew just saying all that about our family to make me feel better? Did he really feel that way about me? I felt like an all-round failure.Should I have stayed in Wyoming?
He lifted his chin at me. “I’m proud of you. About the garage.”
“I bought the building. Haven’t done anything yet.”
“You will.”
I looked at him in surprise, and he nodded. “I wasn’t just saying things for you to feel better. You’re my brother. You made our family complete.”
“I’ll need time to believe that, but thanks. And I’m sorry for running out like I did. No idea where I was going, but couldn’t be in the same room as a sister who’d turn her back on me so easily.”
“I’m not sure why she did that. Don’t listen to those words.”
“Thanks. For coming after me.” I shrugged.
“Anytime, brother.”
“You need to get back to your girl.” I began the ascent back up the stairs.
“Trish understands.”
I wanted that. Someone who understood what I needed the way I understood them.
Easy.
I stumbled at the realization I had that.
Andrew’s hand steadied me. He grinned. “You finally figuring out you’ve got yourself more than just a beautiful roommate?”
