Page 23 of We Own Tonight
Been there, and I’d rather be broke than give anyone that kind of power over meagain.
The last bitch wrecked me and almost destroyed everything I workedfor.
“Hey,” Randy gets to his feet, “don’t be likethis.”
“I’m going to prove you allwrong.”
His brow raises, and he grins. “Eli, stop being anidiot.”
“Untle Eli!” My niece runs over and leaps into my arms. “I missedyou!”
“Hey, beautiful!” Daria is the only girl I’ll ever love. She’s three and owns my heart. I pity any asshole who ever tries to come near her. I don’t give a fuck if I’m in a wheelchair, I’ll kick his ass. “I missed youmore.”
“You and Daddy sing me asong!”
I look over at my brother and see the same adoration in his eyes. Adriel may be spoiled, but Daria . . . she had him wrapped around her little finger. There’s nothing Randy won’t do forDaria.
“I need to get home, pretty girl.” I try to explain, but she crosses her arms and pushes her lips into apout.
“Untle Eli, you don’t loveme.”
“You know that’s nottrue.”
“Puuuuuleeeeeease,” she begs and grabs my cheeks. “I lubyou.”
I’m just as screwed as Randy. “I love you, too. Onesong.”
“Yay!” She claps her hands and wiggles for me to put her down. Three years old and has this whole world domination slash manipulation thing perfectedalready.
Eleven songs later, I’m finally standing at my car with my brother. “Listen, I know we gave you a load of shit in there, but you’re not the guy who has ever been hung up on a piece ofass.”
My blood pressure spikes a bit higher with each word, and I clench my fists. Heather isn’t a piece ofass.
Fuck.
What the hell am I eventhinking?
That’s exactly what sheis.
Randy smirks as if he expected this exact response and knows what I’mthinking.
He claps his hand on my shoulder and chuckles. “Go talk to her. If it’s nothing, then come here and we’ll tell Savannah how wrong she is. If nothing else, you’ll know foryourself.”
“You know that I refuse to do thisagain.”
“Because ofPenelope?”
Just her name makes me want to punch something. “Yes.”
“That’s sad, man. You and her were a lifetime ago, and you’re older and wiser. No way you fall for another gold-digging whore likeher.”
“This is a moot point anyway. I’m not in love withanyone.”
“Good.” Randy nods in agreement. “It should be no problem seeing herthen.”
With that, my brother walks back up his drive, and I flip him off. I should’ve been an only child. It would’ve made life so mucheasier.
I start the car and turn all my focus to this Heathersituation.
