AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You are,” Nate says. “You have been caught with illegal narcotics repeatedly. Why do you think a company won’t take a chance on you?”
“And, what, you are because Viv begged?”
I open my mouth to argue, but Nate is faster than me.
“This was my idea. I had junkie parents and a criminal record. I had the opportunity to have a new life, a fresh start.”
“By being adopted by billionaires. That’s lucky.”
“You were born into a billionaire family. That’s lucky too,” Nate counters.
Dee’s mouth drops open. “You were?” She seeks me out next since Walt and Nate are in the middle of an intense male stare-down.
“We lost everything when our parents passed away.” I’m not so much covering for Walt as avoiding having to explain. It’s hard to admit who our father was. Hell, Nate had to call me on it or I might never have told him.
“Speaking of, I had a thought about Dad’s remains.” My brother pushes his plate, and the subject of him working for Nate, aside. I told Walt about visiting Mom’s grave, about how wrong it felt to put Dad in the ground next to her. “You’re right about keeping them apart. In life they barely got along, why doom them to spend eternity together?”
I quirk my lips. It’s a dark subject for dinner.
“How about sprinkling him in the water? He loved the ocean and the lake. Mom never liked either.”
Thinking of her again splits me open. I blink back tears. I was so angry with her when she took her own life. I’ve had moments of grief, but usually it comes with a side of anger. Today is the first moment sadness eclipses the anger.
A burial at sea for Dad is better than he deserves, but he can’t sit on my countertop for the rest of my life.
“There won’t be any record of him, Viv,” my brother says softly. “He’ll be gone. Finally.”
I nod, knowing it’s the right answer.
“Lake Michigan, maybe. Close to home,” Walt says. Dee puts her hand on his shoulder and promises to go with him.
“We can rent a boat,” Nate offers. “While we’re there I can show you the job site. You can look for an apartment nearby.”
“That’s going to require money.” Walt looks at me expectantly. I shake my head.
“That money is earmarked for rehab.”
“I’m out of rehab.”
“For now.” I slide a glance at Dee who’s watching me just as expectantly. I’m being overprotective of him, but for now I’m okay with that. “I need a lime wedge for my water,” I lie, standing from the table. Halfway to the kitchen, I feel someone follow me. To my surprise it’s not Nate.
I grab a lime from a bowl on the counter and make use of the small knife and cutting board next to it. I’m aware of Walt glaring at me, arms folded over his chest.
“I’m done with rehab. That was my last stay. I’m going to attend AA meetings for the rest of my life, but I’m not going to be admitted ever again,” he tells me. “Don’t you trust me?”
I don’t answer, squeezing a lime wedge into my glass. Then I reach for a bowl from a cabinet and pile the remaining fruit into it.
“V.”
“I trust you.” I think I mean it. “But things happen outside of our control. Outside of your control. What if you have a bad day at work and you need a release valve? What if you and Dee have a fight? What if she—”
“What is your problem with her anyway?” He keeps his voice low.
I peek into the dining room. Nate has started a conversation about who knows what, and Dee happily obliges him by listening. He’s good.
“She’s an addict,” I whisper.
“So am I.”
