Page 61 of Valentine's Daddy To Go
“So they just let you go without any warning?”
“Yeah,” he shrugs. “I think Nash and Colt have some kind of beef with me. I’m not sure if either one of themeverliked me.”
“What about your job search? Have you had any luck?”
“Well, sort of,” Brian blubbers, saying a whole lot of nothing while making a lot of sounds.
“Brian.” I need him to make sense right now. I feel for him, but I can’t deal with all the back and forth. I need concrete answers. If he really wants my help then he’s got to meet me, maybe not halfway, but somewhere along the path.
“Okay, I know I was supposed to be looking, but I was so overwhelmed with everything and –”
“So, you haven’t been looking?”
“I’ve been working full-time and taking care of Madison and Mackenzie. Vivica’s been ill, so I’ve been in charge of childcare. I just haven’t had a lot of time. It’s like I finish with one thing, then another huge task drops right in front of me.”
“Vivica’s been sick?” I’ve really been out of contact with them. I had no idea any of these things were going on.
Brian nods miserably.
“Yeah, it’s nothing horrible, but she’s been out of commission. I haven’t even had time to put my resume together, let alone apply to any jobs. I thought I could get on it once my wife was better.” I feel like such an ass for assuming the worst of my brother. Yeah, he’s a mess, but that doesn’t mean he’s a bad person.I just wish he was better at handling all of the things in his life.
Because of this, I know his family is going to need some money.
I get my wallet from the coffee table and open it up. I was going to give Brian all the cash I had, but then I notice I still have the last check Nash wrote me. I never cashed it because I was so caught up in my thing with Nash.
I was really hoping we could make the money Nash gave me into a rainy-day fund and only dip into it when we really needed to. Then again, I guess this is our rainy day. It’s just a lot earlier than expected.
“Here. I’ve got some money I can give you. It should keep you guys solid for a while, and give you enough time to find a new job.” I sign the check over to Brian, and with trembling hands, I hand it to him.
“Thank you, Nellie,” he looks down at the check and stops short. His eyes go wide. If I were him, I’d also be shocked. His jaw literally drops.
“Where did you get this?” he asks in a small voice.
I really don’t want to explain anything to my brother. While I am sympathetic, I’m not going to trust him with everything in my life.
Like I said he’s a mess. And messes have a way of spreading.
Grimly, I look over at him. It’s clear the check came from Nash because his name is up in the upper left corner. So I know it’s not just the amount that’s giving him pause. For the first time, my brother has an inkling of what I’ve been doing.
“I’ve been working for Nash,” I say in a firm voice.
Brian looks at me with confusion.
“Doing what though? Accounting? He paid you this much to run some numbers?”
I’m not going to get into the sordid details of my ‘kept woman’ arrangement. Partially because Brian is my brother, and that’s just an uncomfortable situation. But also, because it’s none of his damn business.
“Brian, you need to go home, take care of your wife and kids, and find a new job. For the sake of your familyandfor my sake. This money is going to help you, but it won’t last forever.”
“But Nellie,” he begins. I can tell he really wants to know what’s going on, but it all boils down to the fact that this is none of his business. If I wanted to tell him, I would have told him.
“Go home, Brian.”
He nods, understanding my message. I can’t stand another minute of him trying to pry into my life. I know this is what family does, but my family is skating on some pretty thin ice with me right now.
Brian stands up with the check and heads for the door. Before leaving, he looks over his shoulder at me. His brow is furrowed, and I’m worried he’s about to deliver some more bad news. I don’t know what it could possibly be, but I’m sure that Brian could come up with something.
“Is everything okay?” I ask him.
