“Mom had a life insurance policy but sis refused to touch it. She put the money in a trust for me instead even though I argued with her about it. I know she sees it as blood money. That mom took her life because she thought she was more help to us dead than alive.”
He got choked up here and I wasn’t doing much better. I was already plotting their father’s death in my head. Fucking asshole! It looks like she was even more like mom than I’d thought.
“You’ve seen that place she lives in. Today was my first time seeing it. The only reason I’m telling you all this is because you seem to want to get her out of there. If you hurt her, I’ll forget that I used to like you, like your game, and kick your ass.”
I guess now that the drama was over it was comedy hour. I didn’t even entertain that shit, but gave him props for standing in front of his sister. “Your sister will be back soon. You still haven’t told me how long you plan to stay.”
A change came over him and he leaned in close before lowering his voice to a whisper. “Did my sister tell you about that guy?” Say what now?
“What guy would that be?” My voice remained smooth and unaffected if I do say so myself.
“The one who tried to put his hand up her skirt.” From the way he clenched his fists and the angry flush on his cheeks I knew he was just as pissed about that shit as I am. Good for you kid.
“Yeah, I know about him, what about it?”
“I can’t leave her here alone any more. After the funeral mom’s best friend and her family took me in.”
“They said it was best if I finished high school there. Annie’s been sending money to help take care of me. They’re nice people and all but my place is with my sister.” He said it all in a rush.
It was easy to read between the lines. He wasn’t going back. “Do they know that you left?” I looked at the bag he’d dropped on the floor next to his chair.
“I left them a letter.” He looked guilty at his admission. I saw her coming out the side of my eye. “Okay, your sister’s on her way back. We’ll leave it for now. I’ll take care of it.”
His shoulders drooped with relief as if he’d been carrying the world on them for a while.
She came back to the table looking between us suspiciously.
I started talking football like that’s all we’d been discussing the whole time she’d been gone to put her at ease. I perked right the fuck up when I realized why she’d been gone so long. She’d brushed her hair and put some gloss on her lips. Still no makeup and I still liked it like that.
My phone went off just before lunch was over. I’d dragged it out as long as I could to give Tony time to do what I’d asked him to in that last text and it seemed to have worked because he now texted me back one word. ‘Done!’
I led the two of them out to the waiting car and didn’t say anything as Tony headed for my place. “Where are we?” She spoke for the first time when I let her out of the car.
I wasn’t about to have a brawl with her on the sidewalk, so I ignored the question as the doorman held the door open for us. Travis, having gauged the situation correctly walked ahead of us exclaiming over the building and the park across the street as if he didn’t notice her distress.
She didn’t stop questioning where we were until we reached my apartment and I opened the door and let them in. She stood stubbornly in the doorway even after her brother had walked in.
I took her hand and pulled her inside. “What are we doing here?”
‘Travis, third room on the left down the hallway.” I ignored her question and instead just took her to the room I’d set up for her. She took one step into the room and balked.
“What is all my stuff doing here?” She rounded on me and I stood my ground. This is what I’d had Tony do while we were at lunch. He’d got a few of the guys to help him no doubt.
He’d brought everything but the ratty furniture and left them in the room. It was mostly clothes and books and a few knickknacks that obviously meant something to her.
“I had them brought here. I told you, I don’t want you in that place.”
“And I told you that was none of your business.” That damn hand went to her hip and she squared off.
“I’m making it my business. If you’d stop being stubborn you’d realize I’m just trying to help you. You’re not going back, so there’s no use arguing. And take off that abomination; it’s an eye sore.”