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Irritation filled me. “Jake, have you stopped Mom from contacting me?”
He lowered his fork as a guilty expression stole over his face. “She messaged me a few weeks ago.”
I leaned closer. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You weren’t the one who picked up the pieces each time she left.”
I winced. “I hate that she made you grow up before you were ready. That you felt more like a parent than a brother to me, but I deserve to know.”
He raised a brow. “Why do you think I’m here?”
I nibbled my lip, wondering if I’d assumed too much. “To tell me?”
He chewed and slowed. “That’s right.”
“I’m sorry.”
He waved me off. “You’re right to be upset. I did wait to tell you.”
“And I can understand why.” He always wanted to protect me from her, even if it wasn’t possible. Short of cutting her out entirely, there was no stopping her from popping in and out of my life.
We’d both held out for the scraps she gave us, never giving up hope that she’d change.
“And I didn’t stop herper se; I asked her to wait. You were dealing with a lot. The store was broken into—”
“You just delayed the inevitable.”
“I know.”
I fell silent while he ate. He was like a machine when he was hungry, throwing the food back until he was full.
When he took the last bite, he pushed his plate away. “If I could protect you from her, I would. I don’t care how old you are.” He held up a hand. “I know you can take care of yourself. But why should you deal with her if you don’t have to? We both know she’s never going to change.”
“Do we?” I tried to measure my reaction to her. Expect the worst kind of thing, but hope was a hard thing to stifle.
Jake shrugged. “Her track record speaks for itself.”
He’d always been the more pessimistic of the two of us.
“What does she want?” My heart thumped in my chest.
“The usual. She wants to see us.”
I’d say it couldn’t hurt, but it always did. “Should we?”
He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest. “I’m fine cutting her off. I just haven’t before because of you. I’ll do whatever you want.”
“I’ll think about it.” I’d never hesitated before. Even knowing she’d leave again, I wanted to get whatever pieces she was willing to share with me. Now, I wasn’t so sure.
I felt particularly off-kilter with the potential of Nana selling the house and the business not doing well. Everything might change, and I didn’t need any more instability in my life.
I pushed down the thought that Corey and Ryan represented more of the same.
ChapterEight
RYAN
“How are things with Corey?” Jake asked.
