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“True. He did. He spent ten years being neglected and abused. I’m not saying everything you’ve done for him was wrong. He did need it. There’s no doubt about that. But we both treated him with kid gloves. I let him off the hook for shit I would’ve had your hide for. And where did that get us?”

“He’s a good guy.”

Dad lifted a shoulder. “I know he is. But he’s also an addict. I know I tried to lay the blame on you, ’cause it was a hell of a lot easier that way, but it’s not your fault. We both looked past behavior we should’ve questioned. Alicia brought up her concerns about him six months ago, and I flat out told her she was wrong and to leave my sons to me. She slept at her sister’s that night. She wouldn’t come back until I got it into my head that you and Diego were her boys too.” When I opened my mouth to refute that, he raised his hand. “Don’t even try to argue that. Alicia has a sixth sense. She’ll be in her car, driving like a bat out of hell to box our fucking ears and set you straight. She’s not your mom, but you’re her boy, like it or not.”

I nodded, pinching the bridge of my nose. “I don’t mind it.”

He laid a hand on my shoulder, giving it a squeeze, probably harder than strictly necessary. “You remember family comes first, but you seem to be forgetting something else I taught you.”

“What?”

His pale gaze, identical to my brother’s, looked me square in the eye. “Has Maeve said no?”

“She hasn’t.”

“Then you fucking fight for her. Always. Every damn day. I’m ashamed we’re even having this conversation.”

I chuckled, dry and humorless. “I’d already be on the damn road if you hadn’t barged into my house.”

Dad cackled, patting me on the back. “Go get the girl. I’ll hang out, take Diego to breakfast before we go to the shop.”

“He’s not going to be happy about us babysitting him,” I warned.

He shrugged. “I don’t rightly care. He made his choices, he’s gonna deal with me being up his ass.” He gave me a light shove. “Get out. Bring back Maeve and her pies.”

I stood at her door, waiting. I’d texted, knocked, and nothing. It was nearly noon, but if they were as drunk as they’d looked in the pictures I saw last night, they were probably still in bed.

Footsteps sounded behind me. I turned, recognizing the lanky kid walking my way. He hesitated when he saw me, but kept coming.

“Hey,” he said.

I stepped back from the door. “Hey. I’m here for Maeve.”

He held up the drink tray in his hand. “Me too. Haven texted me, said they were hurting.”

“Mind if I come in? I told her I was coming.”

He looked me over, giving me a small frown. “Sure.” He shoved the tray at my middle. “Hold this while I unlock the door.”

Once inside, Liam took the tray back and called his sister’s name. A groan came from behind one of the closed doors, and he tipped his head in that direction. “Think they all slept in Haven’s room. I’ll let her know you’re here.”

I waited in the compact living room. Listened to the muted voices. Waited still while the door opened and closed, sounds of running water coming from another room. The sound of shuffling footsteps coming toward me had me lifting my head and setting eyes on Maeve. She carried the coffee Liam had brought in front of her. Her dark hair was piled on her head in a lopsided bun, and her face had been scrubbed clean.

Even with the dark circles under her eyes and the baggy pajamas on her body, she looked gorgeous. She made my heart speed up and my stomach tilt.

She lifted a hand. “Hey.”

I stood, unable to wait anymore. I went to her, touched her face, ran my hand down her arm to hold her hand. “Hey. You feeling like...what does Yael say?”

Her mouth tipped up slightly. “Hot garbage.”

“Yeah. Is that how you’re feeling?”

She took her hand back and wrapped it around the paper cup. “Yeah, I think so. I haven’t been this hungover in a year or more. Yael is a terrible influence. Plus, I was really fuckin’ sad, so that didn’t help.”

Suddenly remembering the hoodie wadded in my hand, I held it out to her. “You left this.”

“It’s yours.” I saw the longing on her face, like looking at a long lost lover.


Tags: Julia Wolf Unrequited Romance