Page 19 of Love In The Air

“So, how’s your family?”

Her lips rolled in at his question, the corner of her mouth quirking up. “Really? Small talk?”

He shrugged. “We’re supposed to be getting along, friendly. Friends engage in small talk about life and things like family.”

She sighed, head shaking as if he were the most annoying person on the planet. To her, he probably was. The thought made him grin.

“They’re fine. My sister married some guy she met in dental school. They moved to Montana and have a practice out there and two adorable little boys who take after their perfect aunt.” She smiled, love for her nephews shining clearly in her eyes. “My mom lives next door and loves being grandma on call 24/7.”

He remembered her older sister a bit. She was two grades ahead of him and Iz, so he didn’t really know her, but he knew she and Iz were tight. Since he wasn’t what one would call friendly with the Grant girls, he didn’t know much about Iz’s home life, but he had heard through school gossip that Iz’s dad ran out on them when Iz had been in kindergarten, leaving her mom to shoulder everything.

Shitty thing to do. And he knew shitty parents. His hadn’t abandoned him like that, but there was more than one way to be an absent parent and his sure found a way to not be there while still physically being there.

“How about you?” She asked. “How’s your family?”

Shit! He hadn’t thought this one through when he started. Of course, a part of being friendly was reciprocating. He asked about her family, so it was only natural for her to ask about his. Something he never discussed. Even in school, he hadn’t liked talking about his home life.

“You have a younger brother, right?” Iz asked, tilting her head. “How’s he doing these days?”

Chance swallowed hard. The sharp stab of pain when he thought about Cameron pinching his chest. It never went away. Some days it wasn’t as piercing as others, but it was always there. The hurt, the loss, the guilt.

He hated talking about his brother. The pain it brought up, the anger at his parents, the anger at himself for failing Cameron when he needed his big brother most. Chance had tried so hard, but it hadn’t been enough. He hadn’t been enough. A regret he would shoulder until his dying day.

“Chance?”

He glanced up to see Iz staring at him with a concerned expression. Shit. He’d been silent too long. Wallowing in his misery, his past failings. She asked about his family, but what the hell could he tell her? His alcoholic parents neglected them so much that when his brother got sick, they didn’t even realize or do anything until it was too late? Yeah, that was real cheery lunch conversation.

“Oh hey,” he said, turning his head to the side and glancing out the window and pointing. “Isn’t that Tori?”

“What?” Iz’s brow furrowed as she turned and looked at where he pointed.

It wasn’t Tori. In fact, there wasn’t anyone walking along the sidewalk right now. He’d just panicked. Dammit, why had he thought this lunch was a good idea again?

Iz’s head swung back his way. She frowned, hand reaching across the table. “Chance, if you don’t want to talk about—”

“And lunch is served!”

Chance breathed a sigh of relief as Bree arrived at the table, two plates in hand, and set them down. Saved by the server. Iz pulled her hand back into her lap. Concern and a pinch of irritation lighting her eyes as she stared at him.

“Do you all need anything else right now?”

“No, thanks.” He pasted on the brightest smile he could muster. “This is great.”

Bree nodded and left.

Chance grabbed his sandwich and took a big bite. Couldn’t talk about his family if his mouth was full. That would just be rude. He glanced over to see Iz still staring. Her brow was furrowed, and that damn concern wouldn’t leave her eyes. Why the hell had he brought up family? He’d rather talk about his dick of an ex.

Deciding to take the cowards way out and not talk about anything personal, he nodded to her food.

He nodded to her food. “You chickening out, Iz?”

A small sigh left her lips as she accepted his refusal to talk about what was bothering him, but she said nothing. Simply grabbed her sandwich with both hands using a hold that ensured both her middle fingers were on top of the bun and facing him as she took a large bite.

He held his sandwich in front of his mouth as a chuckle escaped.

She chewed, eyes widening, the angry furrow in her brow morphing into one of worry. Round eyes blinked, moisture gathering in the corners as she sucked in deep breaths, her nostrils flaring.

“Iz?” He put his sandwich down and leaned forward. “You okay?”

---