“Thank you for breakfast,” I said.
“It’s the least we could do,” Jacob said.
“You guys sit down. You all look like shit,” I said.
They all took a seat at the kitchen table, and I doled out the doughnuts. I got everyone mugs, and then I opened the spout on the coffee container, watching the hot liquid pour into the ceramic cups. We all looked like we could use a mug or two of the stuff. But I didn’t even get a chance to sit down before the brothers started in with their questions.
“I called you last night,” Adam said.
“I was working last night,” I said.
“Well, I tried calling that afternoon,” Nick said.
“And both Tanner and I tried to call you this morning,” Tyler said.
“Just been busy with work and the stuff with the store,” I said.
“Bullshit. Why have you been ignoring our phone calls?” Adam asked.
“You’ve got a lot of nerve accusing me of lying when none of you will open up as to why you guys look like you’ve been used as target practice,” I said.
They all fell silent and exchanged a round of looks as I sighed.
“I feel a little empty right now,” I said.
“Then why don’t you sit and talk to us about it?” Nick asked.
“Because we won’t open up to her,” Jacob said.
My eyes panned over to him as he raised his gaze to me.
“Right?” Jacob asked.
“Right,” I said. “But I will anyway. If anything, to give you guys a good example of what it looks like.”
There was a small round of chuckles that cascaded around the table as I sat down in an empty chair.
“I’m fed up with a lot of things, my mother included. I know the reason she’s lashing out is that she’s jealous, but it’s getting under my skin. She never did anything with her life, and she’s jealous that I am. I wish I had a mother that supported me instead of always trying to bash my dreams. Or fuck my men.”
They all grinned at me as I took a sip of my coffee.
“I think I speak for all of us when I say your mother’s a joke,” Adam said.
“I expected something harsher. I’m proud of you, Adam,” I said with a smirk.
“Is there anything we can do to fix this?” Tanner asked.
“Can you make my mom a decent human being?” I asked. “Because if you can’t, then no. But there is something you can do to alleviate some of the sadness I’m feeling.”
“Name it,” Tyler said.
“You guys can start trusting me with more than just your money and your bodies,” I said.
“We’ve trusted you with a lot of money,” Adam said.
“But money doesn’t mean the same to me as your lives. I can get money. And don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for it. You guys have paid for nearly everything Lindy and I need to get our business off the ground.”
“Good. You don’t need to be worrying about debt with a place like that. It’ll take time to turn a profit,” Nick said.