Page 23 of Worthy Now
“Oh, shut up, Tessa,” Carter mutters, hurrying after Jake like he can’t get away from me fast enough.
Oh, it’s most definitely good to be back.
We’re all seated around the large patio table, enjoying our dinner and generally having a good time, when Anna arrives.
“Look who it is,” Jake teases, leaning back in his chair and flashing his baby sister a wide grin. “I was beginning to think I’m an only child. I even considered posting an ad to find myself a new housemate, seeing as you never seem to be home anymore.”
“Ha ha. Very funny,” Anna grumbles, giving her brother a peck on the cheek in passing before her gaze zeros in on me. Recognition flashes in her eyes before suspicion takes over.
“Tessa? What are you doing here?”
Jake stabs at a piece of steak and pops it in his mouth before answering for me.
“Well, you wouldn’t be so surprised if you were around more. This is not her first visit, and it probably won’t be her last.”
“How have you been, Anna?” I ask, giving her a warm smile. “Look at you, all grown up. I always knew you’d turn into a heartbreaker someday.”
“Thanks,” Anna replies with a petulant undertone. She doesn’t look at me while she loads up her plate and plops down next to Carter, keeping her eyes on her food as she digs in. Our chatter resumes, but her disdain for me becomes glaringly obvious by the way she scoffs whenever it’s my turn to contribute to the conversation.
“Where’s Alicia?” she asks during a lull, side-eyeing me like I’m somehow responsible for her absence.
“Alicia and I broke up,” Jake replies simply. His head snaps up when Anna slams her fork down so hard her plate rattles.
“Because of her?” she screeches, jerking her chin at me. All activity stops and no one dares breathe a word as Jake tilts his head, shooting her a warning look.
“No. Not because of her. I just had an epiphany and realized I won’t ever care enough for Alicia to offer her the future she deserves.”
“Oh, and it just so happened that you came to that conclusion right after Tessa rides back into town? What a coincidence.”
Carter’s quiet chuckle earns him a slap to the chest from his wife, who seems to be hyper-focused on figuring out the thread count of the tablecloth. Call me crazy, but I have the distinct feeling Jake isn’t the only Nelson who can hold a grudge.
Fifteen
Jake
My little sis has teeth, I think to myself as I take in her furious glower. I never even considered that my brother and sister might have a problem with who I choose to date, but it’s pretty apparent now that Anna doesn’t approve of Tessa.
Considering how I’d spun out of control after Tessa left, I guess I should’ve seen this coming. I’m close to my siblings. Closer than most, seeing the shit we’ve been through. We’re fiercely protective of each other, and I can appreciate that she’s trying to look out for me. I get it. She doesn’t want to see me hurt again, but I’m a grown man—capable of making my own choices—and I don’t need a guard dog to nip at Tessa’s heels whenever she gets too close.
“Can I talk to you in private for a moment, please,” I ask, rising from my seat and waiting for my sister to follow. Anna crumplesup her napkin and tosses it onto the table beside her plate, before she gets up and pushes past me with a huff.
“Sorry about that.” Tessa waves my apology off with an understanding smile.
When I join my sister in the kitchen, she immediately rounds on me, cheeks flushed and fire in her eyes.
“You’re kidding, right?” she spits with so much venom it genuinely takes me aback. “Of all the girls you could’ve chosen. I might be your sister, but I’m not blind. I see the way women look at you. You’re handsome, successful, and kind. Any woman would be lucky to have you; there’s definitely no shortage of willing candidates. But you wouldn’t give anyone a chance. Then, when you finally do, you dump her forthat?” she fumes, throwing a thumb over her shoulder and in Tessa’s general direction. “After everything that heartless bitch has put you through?”
“Whoa there, little firecracker,” I say, holding out a hand to calm her.
“First off, let’s dial back on the name-calling, yeah? There’s a lot you don’t know, so let’s not blame her for everything that went down. We both made mistakes, and I certainly wasn’t innocent in the way things ended.” Anna folds her arms across her chest but seems a little more willing to listen.
“Secondly, I didn’tjustdump Alicia the second she came back. I tried to ignore my feelings and gave Tessa a hell of a time. Then, we had a long-overdue conversation, and it turns out assumptions were made that weren’t true, and we want to rebuild trust. I’m not going to propose to her tomorrow, but I also owe it to us both to see if there is anything worth saving. I’ve missed her, Anna,” I say, and watch as my sister’s eyes soften at my admission. “We realized we never really got over each other, so we’re taking things slow to see where it goes, okay?”
“So, all is forgiven and forgotten? After she cheated on you? After she abandoned you and acted like you never existed?”
I inhale deeply and make sure she’s paying attention before saying, “Look, squirt. I appreciate your concern, and I’m sorry if the way I dealt with the breakup caused you to worry. I was young then, unable to handle my emotions in healthy ways, but I’m not that guy anymore. I’m also not a complete idiot, so I need you to give me a little credit and trust that I know what’s best for me. All I’m asking is that you keep an open mind and give her a chance,” I urge, and her lips flatten into a tight line, most likely realizing she overreacted but not yet ready to retract her claws. “Deep down, you know she’s not vindictive,” I press on. “Neither one of us meant to cause the other pain and yet we both ended up hurt. She means a lot to me, so I’d appreciate it if you could stop bitingher head off whenever she opens her mouth. She’s going through a lot right now with her mom being sick, and you, of all people, know what that’s like. The last thing she needs is your misplaced animosity, alright?” That seems to do the trick, for Anna visibly deflates.
My sister is stubborn and opinionated, and I’ve tried my best to instill a strong sense of morality in both of my siblings. I’m proud of her for not being afraid to stick up for herself, as well as others. But growing up with these values also made her very empathetic, and she’s always had the biggest heart.
