Page 34 of Trust Me With Forever

We reached the dining room, and everyone fell silent as West and I stared at each other.

I no longer harbored any bad feelings toward the man since he clearly loved and worshiped my sister. And yet, he refused to accept my apologies for how I’d treated him and Emmy, saying I had a long way to go before I made things up to my sister.

As if I didn’t know that. Even now, thinking about how she’d thought I’d stayed away because I blamed her for our parents’ deaths made me feel about two inches tall.

I decided to break the tense silence. “Hello, West.”

He grunted and replied, “Hi.”

The one syllable was filled with anger and loathing. Not for the first time, I missed my friend growing up.

This is your own fault, Mendoza. So just accept it and stop wishing it was different.

Emmy rushed to her husband’s side. “Why don’t you sit down while I check on Beck, Sabrina, and Abby in the kitchen? Dinner should be ready.”

Aunt Lori shook her head. “I’ll go.”

She left just as Avery and Wyatt entered the room. Wyatt plopped onto a chair and gestured to one at his side. “Sit next to me, Uncle Rafe.”

Avery pouted. “But he sat next to you last time. It’s my turn.”

Katie—who sat next to Nolan—laughed and said, “How about if he sits between the pair of you? That would make everything easier.”

The twins grumbled, and Avery sat one seat away from her brother. I’d wanted to sit next to Abby, but as the kids looked at me expectantly, I slid into the empty chair. Nolan was across the table from me and asked, “Want some wine?”

I nodded. “White, please.”

As he poured, I hated how fucking tense and silent the room was. Because of me, the outsider.

It reminded me of just how much Abby was sacrificing to see our deal through—more awkward dinners and get-togethers as people tried to figure me out.

That’s your own fault, asshole. So fix it.

It’d been easier to charm in the UK, where no one had known about my past or my parents, let alone how I’d pretty much abandoned my sister as a kid.

As I tried to think of what to say, Emmy asked, “How’s work going at the training facility?”

I sipped my wine and replied, “We’re on schedule, which is good. And…” Even though Abby had said it was fine to share, I hesitated before continuing, “Abby’s going to head up the tutoring center.”

Katie clapped her hands. “That’s amazing! She’ll be great at it, the best. Some people are just meant to be teachers, and she is one. She definitely has more patience than me.”

Zach chuckled. “And me. I’d probably get distracted and turn the classroom into some kind of playground instead.”

Avery chimed in. “You’d be a fun teacher, Uncle Zach. But you should probably stick to being a substitute one. That way, you won’t get into too much trouble.”

Everyone laughed, even Zane and West. Zach nodded. “You’re wise beyond your years, Avery. At least now I have a backup plan, if I ever need it.”

Abby’s voice came from behind him. “Why do you need a backup plan?”

I turned, and for a second I forgot about everyone else in the room. Even though she was in jeans and a nice top, she’d piled her hair atop her head, revealing the soft skin of her neck. Her shirt also dipped just low enough to show a hint of cleavage, but not too much.

And then she walked by me and gave me a view of her ass, hips, and soft thighs encased in form-fitting jeans.

Fuck, what I wouldn’t give to have them wrapped around me as she cried out my name as she came.

“Uncle Rafe? Uncle Rafe? Are you going to answer?”

Avery’s voice snapped me back to the present.

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