Page 82 of Fight For Her
“It’s fine.” I sipped again but let most of it dribble back into the cup. He took it from my hands and tried it.
“That’s awful, and you’re a terrible liar.” Laughing, he tossed the cup in the nearest trash and came to sit beside me. “Okay, no more distracting coffee. What happened?”
Everything that happened at Zoey’s photoshoot, how Victor handled it, and the way I’d been feeling about living in LA came pouring out of me like a flood. The more I spoke the firmer my resolve became. I needed out. Palm Cove was my home.His features changed between anger and concern, but he never interrupted just listened until I sat back utterly spent.
“I’m proud of you. You’re so fucking strong baby. Never back down from your values.” His palm encircled mine, and he squeezed reassuringly. “I’ll support whatever decision you make.”
“Thank you. I—“
“There you fucking are. I’ve been looking for you for ten minutes now.”
A man, a bit shorter and thinner than Coby but with the same dark hair and gray eyes stomped into the seating area. He wore dirty coveralls and a thermal shirt. His hair was long in the back and had the same wave that Coby’s hair had on top. He crossed his arms in front of his chest and leaned against the wall. Coby froze as stiff as a statue.
“My big brother being all cozy with a woman while our mama lies half dead. It’s just like you to chase tail instead of taking care of your own.”
Damn.
This was Coby’s brother.
Chapter 41
Coby
“Clyde,”Isaidthroughgritted teeth. “You didn’t tell me you were going to show up.”
I glanced at Kendahl who was looking between the two of us, her eyes wide.
“Course I came. Daisy called me up as soon as she hung up with you. Interesting that you’d call my wife and not your own brother. Maybe you’re too famous to care about anyone in Verdant. Got yourself a sweet piece of ass and fancy interviews and suddenly, you’re too good to call your family.” It took every ounce of restraint I had to not wring his neck right there in front of the coffee machine and packets of sugar.
“Don’t you fucking talk about her like that.” I stepped to him so we were inches apart. “You have no clue what you’re talking about.”
“Really? You’ve always been too good for us ever since you up and left for your fancy school and your first bitch. Where is she now? Left your ass, didn’t she?”
“I’ll go check on your mom,” Kendahl said as she came up beside me.
I nodded too pissed to say anything. As soon as she was out of view, anger poured out of me.“You have no right to talk about my life. You’re acting all high and mighty like you were the good son who took care of mama. You’re a joke. Nothing but a piece of shit drunk who beats on his wife. The whole month I was there all you did was show up wasted and pass out. Thank God I moved mama out of there.”
Clyde’s nostrils flared and he snarled, “At least I know how to keep my woman in line.” He glanced in the direction that Kendahl went. “You should take a lesson from me before that one finds another dick to ride like the last one did.”
I bared my teeth, my breaths coming out in puffs. I knew what he wanted. He was waiting for me to throw the first punch, so he could claim I attacked him. Coward. I stepped back, clenching my fists so hard my nails dug into my skin.
“We’re not family, you understand? The same blood may run through our veins, but that doesn’t mean shit to me. I want nothing to do with you or Verdant, and mama doesn’t need you here either.”
“I’ll let mama decide that for herself. I’m not the one who shoved her in some home so I could feel better about myself.” Flecks of spittle left his mouth, and my stomach churned. I fisted my hand through my hair. I was done. Nothing good would come from arguing with him here while mama’s life hung in the balance.
Kendahl was probably booking the next flight out of here, far away from this shit show.
“Whatever you say, Clyde. I’m done listening to you.” I pushed my anger down deep and left him red-faced and cursing under his breath.
Through the small glass window on mama’s door, I could see Kendahl sitting close to her. Kendahl’s lips were moving, but being on the other side, I couldn’t hear her words. The sight calmed my breathing.
She hadn’t left. Not yet at least.
My chest tightened as she looked up at me with her ocean eyes and offered a tentative smile. I made my way to her side.
“She opened her eyes before and was talking to me,” Kendahl said.
Thank God. I released a breath. Kendahl wrapped her small hand around mine and squeezed.
