Page 22 of More Trouble
“I probably deserved that,” Andre commented; his tone dropping low, hitting my guilt reflex and someplace else down deep in my stomach. “I’ll be back in a few.”
Scarlett, Lyla and Maddox were watching me intently.
“What? I was civil!”
Lyla was the first to smile. “He’s never gotten over you.”
I glanced at Scarlett, ready to have her argue the fact, but she agreed.
“He’s an idiot, but he’s always loved you.” Even she managed a small smile.
I didn’t want to think about that and rolled my eyes. “I’ll make us some tea.”
“I’ll help. I’m better with cars than kitchens, but I should probably learn, right, Maddox?” Lyla bounced up from the couch.
Away from the others, this was my opportunity to grill Lyla about her and Maddox. I busied myself finding mugs from the cupboard and filled the kettle full before putting it on to boil.
“Tell me about you two. I never expected to find you together.”
She leaned against the counter and heaved a sigh. “If Andre had had his way, I don’t think we would be.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because Andre beat him up.”
The spoon I was holding crashed against the mug with a loud thud. Andre had rarely been violent. “He did what?”
Lyla told me the whole story of how she and Maddox had gotten together, how she’d found his dream car and how they planned to restore it together. It was almost the stuff of romcom movies; except they usually didn’t feature the jealous brother.
“He wasn’t happy with the fact it was Maddox I wanted to be with. You know, I think it was Wes who talked sense into him. God, I’m going to miss him.”
Hearing Lyla talk about how Wes’ intervention had rescued her and Maddox’s burgeoning relationship choked me up. He had always been the one to step in and offer the olive branch between friends who were on the brink of falling out. When Andre had come clean to me about his night with the twins, Wes had been the one to try to mediate between us. He’d told me Andre was a dick for doing what he’d done—something I still truly believed to this day—and I was too good for him; again, another truth. He’d reamed Andre out for doing something so stupid and totally ruining the best relationship he would ever have. Hell, the best relationship I’d ever have. And he tried so hard to get us back together again, but I wouldn’t have it. I couldn’t have it. If Andre had done it once, he could do it again. I couldn’t risk breaking my heart once more. Those words still rang true after all these years.
Seeing Andre had stirred up a lot of emotions I’d fought hard to keep buried.
Things I hadn’t felt or thought about with anyone else.
I tried to block them out, putting it down to the fact I was overly emotional because of Wes.
My phone rang and I glanced down at Tori’s name on the screen. Guilt consumed me as I held the phone and thought of the prospect of stepping away from the emotional heaviness for a moment and back to reality, back to my life.
“Hey, Tori, what’s up?”
Lyla took the tea into the living room for Scarlett and Maddox, sensing I needed a couple of minutes alone.
“I know we spoke a couple of hours ago, but I wanted to let you know the sweet sixteen meeting has been rescheduled. Apparently, the birthday girl has a bad case of mono and her mom doesn’t think she should come along without her,” explained Tori. “Thankfully, they were starting the preparations in plenty of time, so we haven’t lost out on anything. It’ll be a couple of weeks before she’s back in circulation.” She paused. “And you should be back by then?”
I honestly didn’t know how to answer. I’d be here for as long as Scarlett needed me, but I also had my own life. She would understand, because she’d encouraged me for so long to start the business and go it alone. At the same time though, I wouldn’t leave her on her own if she needed me.
“Yes, I should be.” I hesitated before answering.
“Did you get there okay?”
“Yeah. It was a long drive though.”
“You should make sure you get some sleep. You’ve been through enough for one day.”
A four-hour drive was nothing compared to what Scarlett was currently going through. I didn’t really have any cause for concern. “Don’t worry about me. You’ve got plenty to keep you busy today.” I forced a laugh, trying to sound normal. “Thanks for letting me know about the meeting change. It’s a big gig and I’d really like for us to get it. Maybe you can send her a basket of fruit or something? And a nice get-well card?”
