Page 119 of Ask Me Something

“Well, I’m adopted, so I guess that’s a given. But she’s a good mom. Maybe I needed to tell her that more often.”

“I don’t think the adoption thing is it. Take me and my brother Benjamin. Same parents and complete opposites. Kenzie and I share a mother and didn’t grow up together, but we’re closer than a lot of siblings. And only my opinion, but maybe if Addison wasn’t busy taking shots at you, you’d be more inclined to tell her she’s a good mom.”

I hugged him tightly. Once again, he was on my side without being asked. The fact hit me that this day could have turned out much differently if he hadn’t decided to show up. “I’m sorry that I flaked on you when you first brought up coming with me. I was taken off guard and—”

He interrupted. “It wasn’t very good timing on my part to bring it up, given I’d just pissed you off. You have a nice family, Sasha. Your dad is intense, but I like that he’s still protective over you.”

I smiled. “Can I ask you about your father?”

“What do you want to know?”

“What was he like?”

“He died when I was young,” he murmured.

“How old were you?”

“Seven.”

I kissed his chest. “Tell me about a memory of him, something happy.”

“He worked a lot,” he started, and then took a deep breath. “He, uh, one time came home on a Friday early and told my brother and me that he had tickets to a baseball game. It was only minor league, but you would have thought we were going to see Babe Ruth play. We never got time alone with him, so it was pretty special. He took us to the ballpark and got us hotdogs, cotton candy, and soda. He made us promise not to tell our mom.”

“I bet he would’ve been really proud of you.”

He exhaled heavily and pulled me closer. “I feel guilty that I don’t miss him more, but it’s been long enough that I don’t remember all that often. My mom changed a lot after he died. Anyhow, I’d love a change of subject about now.”

“How about you made today a lot better than it would’ve been without you. I’m glad you were there with me.”

He rubbed my back. “I’m glad I could be, too. Plus now you owe me.”

I propped myself up on his chest to see his amused grin. “Owe you how, exactly?”

“You can return the favor by coming with me to my sister’s graduation party next month in Virginia.”

“Your mother and sister-in-law hate me. And wouldn’t Josh be there also?”

He smiled. “Kenzie would be over the moon to have you there. And Josh will be on baby watch, so I doubt he or Haylee can come, but even if they can, you should go anyhow. And you know I don’t care about what my mother or Rebecca think.”

“Where’s the party? I thought your sister went to school in California?”

“The actual ceremony is the weekend before in LA, but my mom wants a party back home.”

That made sense. “Okay. In order to set the expectation if I do come, I have to warn you. I’m probably not going to bridge any sibling rivalry, enhance any relationships, or inspire any tender moments. So you may be getting the shit end of this deal in other words.”

He laughed. “You could assist me by agreeing to a coat closet if I need to blow off any steam from dealing with my family.”

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, because having my panties in my hand after sex while your mother confronted me for pouring wine on Rebecca wasn’t humiliating enough. Like I need a second bad impression.”

“Ah, good times. I think I’d worry more if my mother did like you.”

“Can I ask you something?”

He tensed. “If it’s about my mom, I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Okay,” I sighed, tabling my question. I’d wanted to ask why he continued to go home if she was that miserable to be around. I could guess it was for Kenzie, but considering she was out of the house, too, it begged the question why either of them still chose to do so.

He snuggled me to his side, bringing my face within inches of his. “Is that an annoyed okay or an understanding one?”

“Understanding. If you don’t want to talk about your mom, then I’m not going to push it. Everyone should be able to keep some personal things, well, personal.” No truer words were spoken, particularly when it came to me.

His eyes narrowed, but thankfully he left that proverbial land mine alone for now.

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