Page 18 of Might as Well

“Good. Got some work done. You?”

“Good. Excited to see Savannah. She’s a cute little kid and she loves me for some reason. She even named her favorite stuffed animal after me.”

I smile. They both sound sweet.

A few minutes later as we exit my bedroom, the front door slams shut. Graham. He stops short upon seeing Zane with me.

“You finally manage to get a guy to come around more than once, Vi?” he sneers. My body tenses; I don’t understand what I did to Graham for him to hate me so much. All I’ve done is try to take care of him. Hell, he’s twenty with no job and I am still taking care of him.

“Where have you been?” I force myself to ask. He’s been gone for three days.

“Where I go is none of your fucking business.”

I sigh. I don’t even know why I ask anymore. “There’s dinner in the fridge.”

He heads that way and at the last second turns. “I need some more money.”

“For what?” I ask. I put money in his account not even a week ago.

“Because I got shit to buy, Vi,” he replies as if it’s obvious.

“You’ve spent all the money I just gave you? Onwhat?” I ask incredulously. I should keep better tabs on him. The last thing I need is for him to turn out like our parents. A hand on my waist startles me. I forgot Zane was here.

“What I buy is none of your fucking business either. You gonna give me some or not?” His gaze moves to Zane. “Moving on to married men, Vi?” Graham shakes his head. “Why am I notsurprised that’s the kind of slut you are. Him buying you jewelry doesn’t mean shit either. You’re still his piece of ass on the side.”

I blink.

And then blink again.

My eyes burn with the need to cry over how hurtful his words are. Every day, it seems his words get harsher and harsher. I don’t even know why he thinks I sleep around; I don’t bring guys around all that often.

For the billionth time, I remind myself he’s still struggling with the tragedy that hit our family. My soul aches, wishing I knew how to make him happy again. My brother used to be so sweet. I don’t even know if he’s still in there somewhere.

“Talk like that to her one more time and I’ll knock you flat on your ass,” Zane warns.

I grab his wrist, squeezing. I don’t need him getting involved. “Let’s just go.”

Graham, apparently done being an asshole for the moment, disappears into the kitchen. I pull Zane out of the house. Embarrassed doesn’t even begin to explain how I feel right now.

“We’re gonna have words about him at some point,” Zane warns.

“Can we forget it?”

“For now.”

He keeps his promise. Zane tells me a little more about the Rhetts as if he didn’t just witness what he did and soon, he knocks on their door with one hand holding mine and the other holding a big bag of candy. A little girl answers the door wearing a mermaid costume. A smile quickly lifts her lips.

“Z!” she squeals.

“Little Miss, what did we tell you about opening the door?” Ian says as he rounds the corner.

“But it’s Z, Daddy!” she replies with a hint ofduhin her tone.

“Yeah, I see that; you still aren’t supposed to open the door. Come on in, Z. Hey, Violet.”

It’s as if Savannah finally realizes I’m with Zane. She frowns. “Who are you?”

“This is my friend, Violet,” Zane tells her.

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