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It’s much easier now that Warren, Graham, and Chris have found some amazing partners—well, April’s always been around, but we hadn’t really been friends until recently—but having the girls and especially Molly whom I found to be a kindred spirit, made being here on game nights or other get-togethers easier.
“I didn’t want you to worry,” I reply, running my hand over my chilled arm.
“You didn’t want me to tell Mom,” he replies, giving me a quirked eyebrow.
“Well, yes, that too,” I say. “You know how worked up she gets. She’d have me moving home and on the neighborhood dating roster faster than you could say ‘go.’”
“It’s funny that you think you ever got off of that particular roster. She’s just waiting to start shoving you at Netti’s son.”
“Ugh, no thank you.”
You know that kid that always tried to sneak licks of the glue and… other things at the back of the classroom when he thought no one was looking? Yeah, that was Netti’s son.
“You think that’s bad? You remember Nora Miller?”
I hold in my eye roll at the disgust in his tone. He’s always had an issue with Nora Miller. She was in my grade and lived down the street from us forever. Her parents and ours are still good friends.
“You mean the redhead with all the freckles?” I ask, pretending to be oblivious to who he’s talking about.
“Yes!” He points a finger at me. “Her mom told our mom she’s coming home from Europe, from whatever the fuck she was doing there, and wants to set us up. She’s over there traipsing around Italy and London, and whatever and I’m here just busting ass trying to get a job and figure out what the fuck is wrong with our boss that makes it impossible for us to give our unused food to homeless shelters!” By the time Enzo is done, his chest is heaving and he’s pacing the kitchen.
“Everything alright, E? You seem really upset.”
He scratches at his head, his tell on when he’s upset about something. Which is pretty freaking obvious right now. “I’m just fed up.”
I raise a brow. “What’s the holdup with head chef? You’re a shoo-in.”
“Not at my place,” he mumbles, then, seeming to remember what we were talking about, darn, he refocuses his gaze on me. “We were talking about you.”
“I don’t want to.” I shake my head.
“Too bad.” He levels me with a look and leans on the other side of the counter, his arms braced in front of him. “What happened?”
I shrug. “Nothing. My boss decided that I was no longer needed. She’s taking my campaign in another direction.”
“That’s complete bullshit. You worked your ass off for that campaign. It’s gotta be wrongful termination.”
“They laid me off. There’s not really anything I can do. It was in my contract.”
He blows out a harsh breath and levels me with a look. “I’m really sorry, V.”
“Thanks, I know things seem bad, but I have a plan. Just please.” I give him a pleading look. “Don’t tell Mom.”
He chuckles but nods and gives me a hug. Before I go back to the dining room, I take a minute to catch my breath.
I hardly expected to share that I was fired, let alone to the entire room. I didn’t want my brother to worry, and I didn’t particularly want Archer to see me so vulnerable.
I’ve always admired him and had this weird need to impress him. He’d been through so much in his life but always had a smile for his friends.
My own family would adopt him if they could. He was just that kind of person. Charismatic, kind, friendly. Even though we weren’t the tight friends we once were, I didn’t want him to see me so… exposed. I wanted to maintain that aloof, fun, got-this-under-control person.
Guess that got blown out of the water.
I take a deep breath and head back into the living room. They all know now, so there’s no use hiding in the kitchen.
Except, when I step into said living room, Archer and Enzo are in a heated discussion while the rest of the room watches with rapt attention.
“You’re insane if you think I’d let you do this.” Enzo practically growls at Archer, annoyance etched on his face. I’ve never seen him look at Archer that way.
