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“I was thinking the same about you. Minus the little sister part,” I added awkwardly.
He chuckled. “I gotcha. So, we have a lot to catch up on.”
“Not seeing someone for over four years will do that to a relationship.”
“I deserve that.”
“Yeah,” I huffed, “and a whole lot more.” My moment of indecision had passed. Anger flowed through me. He had left me to be abused, not to mention all the trouble he caused in my childhood. He had another thing coming if he thought he could saunter up here and expect forgiveness.
“You’re mad.”
“No,” I responded in the most sarcastic tone I could. Of course, I was mad. I was fucking pissed off at him!
“You have every right to be. I screwed up royally. I wanted to come here and explain where I’ve been. But I understand if you want nothing to do with me. All I want to say is I’m sorry, and I want to give you this.” He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a folded envelope. He handed it to me.
Champ growled and I had to stop the urge to laugh at the expression on Evan’s face.
“What is it?” I asked before claiming it. With my luck, it’d be another debt of his that I’d wind up having to pay off.
“Just take it,” he urged.
I didn’t bother arguing and grabbed the envelope. I unfolded it and opened it up to see a check for the amount that I had paid Declan.
“How did you get this?” I asked very suspicious. My brother was not good with money and there was no way he was responsible enough to save this much.
“That’s what I’d like to tell you about,” he said. Before he could continue, Austin rode up on Romeo.
“What’s going on here?” he asked, as he dismounted quickly. He came to stand by my side that wasn’t occupied by Champ.
“Austin, this is Evan, my brother. Evan, this is Austin, my boyfriend.” It felt like I was being basic when I said Austin was just my boyfriend. He was so much more than that to me.
“Nice to meet you,” Evan said, and held his hand out.
Austin shook it and said, “Likewise.”
I was a bit surprised he didn’t say something mean. He knew all about my history with him. But I figured he was giving my brother a chance.
“What’s that?” Austin asked motioning toward the check in my hand.
“The money I paid Declan for Evan’s drug debt.”
Austin looked surprise. “That’s nice of you to repay your sister.”
“I don’t think nice is the right term.” Evan paused and looked at me for a moment. He had tears in his eyes. “I’ll get going. All I wanted to do is say I’m sorry for everything I put you through, Miranda. You’ll never have to worry about cleaning up one of my messes again or seeing me. I won’t bother you.”
“Wait,” I said, putting a hand on his arm as he passed me. “Why don’t you come inside and you can tell me where you’ve been.”
His face lit up. “Are you sure about it?”
“I am.”
We walked inside and took a seat in the family room. Champ sat next to my feet and didn’t budge, her stare remaining on Evan.
“I’ll go and get us some glasses of lemonade. Holler if you need anything,” Austin said as he placed a kiss on my forehead.
“Thank you.”
He left and Evan said, “You have a great man there.”
