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Easton hesitated, and I wondered if he would actually take it that far. He had his precious Mulaney. No way would she allow that. His grip on my shoulders tightened. “Yeah. I am.”
What. The. Fuck? “What about your wife?”
“She supports whatever needs to be done.” He shoved a hand through his hair. “I thought . . .” He paused as if searching for the right words. “You and I should’ve talked about a lot of things.”
“I’ve been right here,” I shouted. He was the one who hadn’t told me he’d gotten married, let alone he was evenwithher. “You’re the one always huddled with Dad and Mulaney.Ididn’t go anywhere.”
Easton recoiled, blinking in surprise. “What are you talking about?”
“You’ve got your life,” I said bitterly. There was no working this out. I was blood, but I didn’t count.
“I want you in it,” he yelled, the vein in his neck pulsing. “What made you think otherwise? When?” Easton shook me, harder this time. “When?”
It was on the tip of my tongue, but I clung to the anger that had kept me strong. His plea was heartfelt, nearly piercing through the hardness inside me. Wasn’t this what I’d wanted? For someone in my family to hear me? To notice I still existed?
“I need a shower. Then I’m going to bed. Kitchen duty starts at five in the morning,” I finally said, my voice devoid of emotion.
Easton drew in a harsh breath, tamping down his desire for answers. “I’m going to get my things. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
“Stay with your wife. I’m sure you’ll have a better time with her,” I said, stepping around him.
“You won’t push me away. Can’t you see that the lengths you’ve gone to would have succeeded if that were possible?” he asked to my back.
I pretended to ignore him, walking down the hallway toward the bedroom. The front door closed, and my mind spun. When had I entered this alternate universe? One where I’d royally screwed my family and now they were interested in me again?My thoughts. My . . . opinions.This outcome hadn’t ever figured into my calculations. I wasn’t sure what to do with it.
Chapter Ten
Drew
Shitty.
That was the current state of my mood. I didn’t want to be at Paths of Purpose. Hell, I didn’t even want to be in this city, let alone a place where most of the women and kids had been abused. I wasn’t immune to the people here, though I avoided them. I didn’t want to be around them. Fragile. Easton had exposed that characteristic in me last night.
I was skeptical of his motives. I’d screwed him over beyond forgiveness, yet he still wanted something to do with me. It didn’t make sense.
He must’ve joined Mama’s crusade. Now there were photos of us and our family on the dresser and the nightstand, and taped to the mirror in the bathroom.
It was hard to take being inundated with the past. They were trying to bring me to my senses by reminding me of a time in our lives when things weren’t so strained, but they’d failed. All that stuff just flat-out hurt.Because it’s not real anymore . . . and it hasn’t been for years.
“No suit today?”
Miss Nece covered her surprise well when I—we—showed up an hour early. I hadn’t been able to sleep, so I’d lied and told Easton I needed to be at the shelter. I’d planned to smoke out back until I was due to report for duty. What I hadn’t expected was for him to stay once he’d seen me inside. Our father was noticeably absent.
“If I’d known you’d be disappointed, I’d have tried harder, sugar.” I grabbed an apron and flashed her an irresistible grin.
“That bacon ain’t gonna fry itself,” she said sternly. At least she hadn’t decked me for calling her sugar.
“If you put me in charge of that, it’ll burn itself.”
She tried to keep a straight face, and did a good job of it, but her eyes gave her away. They laughed, amused at my brand of mischief.
“Not on my watch. I’ll teach you what you need to know.” She pointed her spoon at Easton. “Remember how to set up those dishes, baby?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Then get to it.”
He exited the kitchen, leaving us alone.
