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Thane
“You can come in as long as you’re not going to throw daggers at me like Darcy did yesterday,” I told my sister. She was standing on my doorstep with a look that made me feel like I was a little boy, standing in front of my mother while she scolded me.
“Let me in. I don’t wish to talk about this on your doorstep,” she said. “I won’t be throwing any daggers, but I doubt this will be a pleasant conversation.”
I opened the door and stepped aside so that she could walk in. She went to the living room and sat down, all prim and proper.
Oh boy! No daggers, but her claws are certainly out.
I wasn’t even sitting down before she said, “How could you?”
I sighed.This is going to be a long hour.
“I don’t meddle in other people’s business,” I said. It was worth a try.
She glared at me. “You knew how hurt Darcy would be when she found out, and you knew how disappointed I’d be, so why do it?”
“It wasn’t a conscious decision to keep that a secret. I just didn’t feel it was my business. I don’t like being told who I can and can’t date and don’t think others would want that either. Addison is an adult. Who she chooses to date has nothing to do with me,” I explained.
“But you knew he was an asshole from everything I went through with him. Do you remember? And what he put Shellene, Remi, and Darcy through,” she added.
“I’ve been getting to know Julian lately, and he’s a pretty good guy. I think he’s misunderstood. Do you know that his father used to beat his mother so badly she’d have to go to the hospital? Do you know that when he got older, he took the beatings himself, so his mother didn’t get hurt? Do you know how badly his father treats him? It’s a surprise Julian isn’t either dead or a homeless drug addict,” I informed her.
“That’s awful, but what does that have to do with this situation?” Lila asked.
“Nothing, but it does explain why he has some psychological issues with relationships. I will talk with Julian and try to help him make better dating decisions, okay?”
Lila sat quietly, making me anxious. She was likely silently sharpening her claws. I got ready for the second round.
I was surprised when she said, “You need to get him into counseling.”
“Counseling? And how would that conversation look? ‘Hey, Julian, you need to get some counseling, buddy.’ He’d look at me and laugh,” I said.
“Here’s how you’re going to make it up to Darcy, Shellene, Remi, and me: You’re going to continue befriending him and getting him to trust you. And then you are going to do whatever you can possibly do to get him into counseling,” Lila said.
I knew my sister well enough to know by her tone of voice that this was non-negotiable and that I wouldn’t win.
“That’s a big undertaking,” I said quietly.
“That’s what you’re going to do if you ever want to talk to me again,” Lila threatened.
Shit!“If I do this, you’ll all forgive me?”
“Yes, but it won’t be forgotten. It was a crappy thing to do, and I’m ashamed of you for not giving Darcy a heads up that her sister was dating the devil. I don’t want another unsuspecting woman to fall prey into the hands of Julian Fletcher. Do we have an agreement?”
I had no choice. “Yes. I’ll do my part, but I expect no more on this subject from any of you. No treating me like shit, going forward.”
“Just make sure you follow through on this promise,” Lila said. “I have to go to work. Have a nice day. Make sure you see Julian today to start working on him.”
I saluted her, and she swatted me. Luckily, her claws were retracted when she did so!
* * *
Darcy
“What are you doing here?” I asked the mess of a woman standing in front of me.
“I’m still your mother. Let me in,” she demanded.
