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Uncle Eric isn’t deterred. “You paid off their house.”
My eyes widen.
“You covered his youngest sister’s college tuition in advance,” Uncle Eric continues.
Derek stares down as he chews his food.
“And you’ve transferred nearly all of Kyle’s stake in the company into a trust for his siblings to split when the youngest is twenty-five.”
Across the table, my mom gasps. A glance at my dad reveals his brows are raised. This information is news to my parents which is a surprise. There isn’t much they and the Lawsons don’t share.
But I suppose this is them sharing the information now…
“Is there a point to this conversation?” Derek lifts his tired eyes with a sigh.
“I want to know if it’s finally enough?”
“Eric,” Aunt Julia’s tone is laced with warning.
She’s ignored.
“If what’s enough?” Derek asks.
“If you throwing money at the Waters has finally assuaged you of the guilt you needlessly carry with you, or if I can expect to see a speedboat parked in their driveway the next time I pass their house?”
“I can’t tell you if they’ll buy a speedboat. How they choose to spend their money is their own business.”
Uncle Eric drops a hand on the table, rattling the silverware resting on his plate. “This is serious, Derek. You need to stop. The Waters don’t blame you for Kyle’s death, and you’ve been more than generous in divvying up his share in the company to them when you had no obligation to do so. It’s time you accept that you don’t owe anyone anything else. Forgive yourself so you can live your life again.”
“I am living my life.”
“You work,” Uncle Eric counters. “But I haven’t seen you do anything else. You’re only twenty-eight. There’s more to life than work.”
“The fact that I’ve taken this leave of absence isn’t enough for you?”
“It’s a start.”
“Christ.” Derek’s indifferent demeanor cracks. He sets his fork down on the table with a little too much force. “I run myown company, Dad. People count on me. I have responsibilities. I can’t just say ‘fuck it’ and do whatever I want, whenever I want.”
“Language,” Aunt Julia chastises.
“Sorry, Mom, but I don’t appreciate the lecture. Especially not in front of other people.” He turns his head in my direction. I quickly avert my gaze.
I can’t believe Derek has done so much for the Waters family. Then again, yes I can.
Derek’s always been an empathetic person. There’s no way he wouldn’t do everything in his power to make sure the Waters were okay after the loss of their son. I just hate that he feels any responsibility for how things went down. From what I’ve heard from multiple sources, Kyle’s actions led to his untimely death. It wasn’t Derek’s fault.
“Your mom is right,” Uncle Eric says. “This isn’t the time for this conversation.”
“Thank you,” Derek grumbles.
Aunt Julia clears her throat and in a falsely cheery voice, she says, “Be sure to save room for dessert. I have a delicious lemon cheesecake chilling in the fridge.”
The rest of the dinner passes without incident. The Lawsons ask after my work, and I update them on my promotion which they already knew about thanks to my parents. Still, they applaud my work ethic while also chastising Hank for working me too hard.
By the time my parents and I leave, there’s no evidence of the evening’s earlier tension aside from the lingering tightness pulling at the corners of Derek’s eyes. His blue irises had only softened once, and that was when they locked on the silver locket hanging from my neck.
Part of me is embarrassed.
