Page 54 of Mistle-Ho

“No. That’s what Mom did to you.” I look him over, new eyes casting him in a different light. “And I’m not sure I blame her. You’re kind of an asshole.” I back away. “I’ve gotta go. I have shit to do.” I don’t know why he’s here and I don’t care. I need space from him. Room to decide what I really think—what I really feel—without the poison of his influence.

After escaping into my condo, I close the door behind me, shutting out the last of my born-into family. The pain I couldn’t find earlier finally shows up, and it cuts deep. I know I just hurt my dad, but he needed to hear the truth. Needed to be held accountable for his part in the bullshit he allows to dictate his life and tried to pour into mine.

I scrub a hand over my face before running it through my hair, resisting the almost overwhelming urge to open the door and apologize. To take back what I said—even though every bit of it was the truth—just to preserve the shitty relationship I have with him.

Instead, I force my feet away, crossing the open living and dining room as I make a beeline for the hall. I wasn’t lying when I told him I had shit to get done. My to-do list is overflowing today, thank God. It’ll provide a distraction I need.

After taking a quick shower and dressing, pausing a few seconds to again judge my closet and personal care routine, I grab my wallet and keys, along with my cell, and stalk down to the garage. After getting into my car, I seek out my first destination, entering it into the GPS before pulling out into the morning sunlight.

I’ve got a lot to get done while Alexis deals with Leo. Hopefully their conversation goes better than the one I just had.

25

The Beans are Spilled

Alexis

I’VE NEVER SEEN my brother like this.

Leo paces through my apartment, pausing occasionally to rake one hand through his already messy hair. Each swipe sends it standing taller and taller, making my fingers itch with the need to repair the damage he’s done. But the bags under his eyes and the tight line of his mouth make me think the style of his hair is the least of his worries.

“Do you want to sit down?” I point to the sofa and immediately regret it. I know what’s transpired there, and I can’t imagine Leo would be thrilled to find out he’d parked his ass in the exact spot my thighs were against his best friend’s ears.

“No. I can’t stay long.” He completes another pass, turning to face me when he reaches the front wall. “I need your help with Maddie.”

That has my brows lifting. “My help?” I’m not sure how useful I would be against a violent ex-husband, and I’m also not sure how entangled I want to be in the rift between Leo and my parents. Especially since I can understand both sides. “In what way?”

“She’s so fucking alone, Alexis.” Leo’s big shoulders sag. “I want to be everything she needs, but I can’t.”

“What about her parents? I thought they were a close family?” I don’t know the Millers well. Like the rest of my parents’ friends, I always did my best to avoid them so I didn’t get dragged into some long-winded—and exceedingly boring—conversation about the weather, or—God forbid—sports.

“They are, but it’s not the same.” Leo comes my way, reaching me in two long strides. “She doesn’t have any friends. When she was married, he did his best to cut her off from everyone, and now she doesn’t have anyone to talk to about what’s going on.” He grabs both my hands, holding tight. “I thought maybe you and your friends could sort of take her in. Be like a tribe or something for her.”

My heart squeezes for Maddie. I know how important my friends have been to me. They’ve helped me through things I couldn’t—or didn’t want to—discuss with my family, so I see where Leo’s coming from.

Still.

“Maddie might not want you trying to force friends on her.” I stop short of pointing out that while he might be well-intentioned, this is just another form of controlling her friends.

Leo starts shaking his head immediately. “I wouldn’t do that. I told her about you and your friends and asked if it was okay for me to talk to you.” His expression hardens the smallest bit. “I know you and Mom and Dad think I’m fucking everything up, but I really am just trying to take care of her and keep her safe.”

“I know you are.” I keep my tone gentle. “And Mom and Dad know that too.”

No one thinks Leo’s trying to cause problems for Maddie. And it bothers me that he thinks we do. Makes me think Maddie isn’t the only one feeling a little alone.

He snorts. “Right.” The sarcastic cut of the single word is sharp. “Honestly, I don’t give a shit what you think of me as long as you’ll be there for Maddie.”

I hold his gaze, guilt making me wish there was more I could do about the mess he’s in. “Of course. I’m more than happy to help Maddie in any way I can.”

Leo jerks his head in a nod. “Thank you.” He releases my hands and digs his phone from his pocket. He taps across the screen and a second later my own phone vibrates. “I just sent you her number.”

“I’ll reach out to her today.” Looks like my plans of relaxing on my couch and trying to wrap my brain around the fact I spent the night with Gavin again are shot all to hell.

In a surprising move, Leo grabs me, squeezing me in a genuine hug instead of the bone crushing, done only to annoy me, variety I’m usually subjected to. “Thank you.” He releases me and backs toward the door. “I owe you one.”

I manage a weak smile, because I’m afraid the one he’s going to owe me might cause just as much turmoil as his relationship with Maddie Miller. “Okay.”

Leo lets himself out and I stand there for a minute, putting off the inevitable as long as I can.

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