Page 128 of These Pucking Boys: Part Two

Normally, her comment would set me off. The old Ryan would have told her to go to hell. But I’m no longer that bitter man who blames a child for his mother’s abandonment. Mackenzie is not responsible for our mother’s actions, and I can’t keep using her as a punching bag.

“I didn’t care before, but I do now.”

“Because Mom died,” she mutters.

“No. Because I’ve finally taken my head out of my ass. Forgiving Mom for what she did was the first step.”

“I didn’t want to come here. Cory convinced me to give you another chance.”

I shake my head and laugh. “Cory and his meddling ways.”

“Tell me about it. I don’t mind though. It’s good to know someone cares enough to meddle. Mom wasn’t exactly motherly.”

“What did she do?”

“It’s more like what she didn’t do. I learned to be independent at an early age.”

“What about your father?”

She shakes her head. “He was too in love with Mom to pay much attention to me. I think that’s the core of the problem. My parents should never have had me.”

“Don’t say that.”

“Why not? It’s the truth. Some people aren’t meant to be parents.” She shrugs.

“At least they stuck around for you.” I look at the liquor shelf behind the bar as bleak memories of my father drinking himself into a stupor come to the forefront of my mind.

“True. You and Cory had it much worse. I know that and believe me, I do feel guilty that Mom never went back for you. I actually would have loved to have known you when I was a child.”

I laugh without humor. “Maybe Cory, but I was a cocky asshole.”

“Was?” She arches a brow.

“Touché.” I flag down the bartender and ask Mackenzie, “Do you want another drink?”

She finishes what’s left in her glass and replies, “Sure. Why not? What’s a funeral if you’re not hungover.”

“Pfft... Hungover? What’s a funeral if you’re not drunk?”

“I can’t drink all night long with you. I’ll pass out before sunrise.”

I smile. “I have a system. Trust me. You won’t pass out. You can ask Cory if you don’t believe me.”

“Maybe we should ask him to join us.”

“Let’s do it.” I grab my phone and text Cory. I didn’t plan to drown my sorrows with my siblings, but misery does love company.

CHAPTER 53

JUNE

Iblink, and it’s Christmastime, my favorite time of the year. I love to buy Christmas decorations and shop for gifts. I usually have to budget my purchases, but since I haven’t had to pay rent for the past few months, I can splurge a little.

This year, I get to decorate two apartments instead of one. Mrs. Carpenter is coming home on Christmas Day, and I want to surprise her. The boys already moved all my stuff into their apartment, and for now, I’ll rotate bedrooms until we move to a bigger place. I need my own room with a bed big enough for all of us to fit in. We’ll probably need to custom order.

I’m staring at our Christmas tree, daydreaming about the loves of my life, when Katrina interrupts my thoughts.

“Are you nervous?”

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