Page 7 of Wildflower and Whiskey
Geez, he wasn’t letting up. I didn’t like to voice confessions because then it made whatever I was feeling real, and I didn’t want it to be real because Phoenix and I were always enemies. That was our dynamic.
I swallowed hard, my gaze drifted toward the back where Phoenix disappeared, probably into the kitchen. My chest felt tight. “Now… I don’t know,” I whispered softly. It was anhonest answer because I didn’t understand the tension radiating between us.
Dominic leaned a little closer, lowering his voice. “I’ve worked for Phoenix five years now. The man’s driven, no doubt. He’s guarded too. He keeps most people at arm’s length.”
I crossed my arms, trying to mask the way that struck a nerve. “Tell me something I don’t know.”
Dominic’s mouth curved into the faintest grin. “He’s got a big heart. Not that he’d ever admit it, but I’ve seen it. He’d do just about anything for the people he cares about.”
That made my stomach twist because I knew how protective and loving Phoenix was with his family. Hell, he’d been like a big brother to my little brother Luc, who didn’t have a proper father figure in his life. All the Thorne men helped with my kid brother. I’m pretty sure it was their influence that made him into the standup guy he was today. But I didn’t feel that warmth from Phoenix because I was determined to push everything that was good in my life away. At least that’s how I had been as a teenager. Today I was a woman. I didn’t want to lash out. I just wanted to do the best I could with my son. To show him love and teach him to be a good man. “I don’t want his pity, Dominic.”
Dominic’s eyes softened, but his tone kept a firmness that screamed he meant business. “Trust me, Elyna. I’ve been a man long enough to know the difference. The way Phoenix watches you… that’s not pity.”
I didn’t want to believe him, but the certainty in his voice lingered like a blanket as thick as honey. It was something to consider, whether I wanted to or not.
Dominic then pulled his cell from his pocket and started dialing. “Let’s take care of one thing at a time,” he muttered. “Angela? Hi, sweetheart. Listen, Elyna’s in a bit of a bind with childcare. Do you think you could watch Braden while she’s at work?”
Even from across the bar, I heard Angela’s cheerful voice through the receiver. A smile spread across Dominic’s face. “Of course you can. Knew I could count on you. Thanks, love.” He hung up and tucked his cell in his apron. “Problem solved. Angela said she’ll be happy to help.”
Relief hit me like a wave so fast I nearly buckled under it. “Dominic… thank you so much.”
“Don’t thank me yet,” he said with a wink. “Wait till Angela gets her hands on Braden. That boy’ll be spoiled rotten.”
I felt so relieved I could’ve kissed him, but I kept myself and my tears at bay. This man just saved me. If I couldn’t continue working, I wouldn’t have money to buy food. Now I had enough to feed us and put some money on the side slowly.
“You and Angela are angels. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you,” I said.
“No need.” He waved me off and then he peeked at his watch. “Your shift is over. Get out of here.” I checked my watch to see that I still had fifteen minutes to go.
“I know it’s early, but you’ve closed out your tables. You don’t need to stay until the end. Just clock out.”
“You’re the best, Dominic,” I said. With that I took off my apron, went to the employee room at the back of the restaurant to grab my purse and car keys, and drove straight to Colette’s house. The closer I got, the tighter my chest grew. I knocked three times on her front door before she opened the door. The smell hit me first; sharp, sour smoke curling out into the evening air. It made me feel guilty for taking on extra hours when Dominic had offered them to me.
“Come on in,” she said, waving me in. She was wearing the same clothes as yesterday and her ginger hair, which was clearly dyed, stood up in all directions.
I took a step inside toward the family room, where I saw my sweet boy sitting in the bouncy chair I had loaned her while shewas watching him. I scooped him up quickly, pressing my nose into his hair, grateful for something clean to breathe in.
Colette leaned against the doorframe, a cigarette dangling between her fingers. Her eyes looked tired; her mouth set in a hard line. “You’re early.”
“My shift ended a little earlier than I expected.” I forced a polite smile, shifting Braden on my hip. “Thanks for watching him.”
She shrugged, like it was nothing, but her gaze was sharper than usual. Irritated. Restless. I didn’t push it. With Braden in my arms, all I wanted was to get out of that house.
We made it home just as the sun dipped low. I carried Braden inside, hoping for a quiet evening. But the moment I opened the door, the sour smell of whiskey and the sound of a bottle hitting the table told me I was in for more trouble. Life wasn’t going to cut me any breaks today.
Papa was slouching in his chair, eyes bloodshot, his scowl aimed in my direction. “Well, look who decided to show up,” he muttered, words thick with drink. I hated having my son in this environment. Papa wasn’t always such a mess. There were times when he functioned. He kept to himself and minded his own business, but he wasn’t mean like he was now.
“I just need to feed Braden in the kitchen and we’ll get out of your hair,” I assured, feeling on edge.
“You don’t belong here, Elyna. Not anymore.”
My body stiffened from his harsh words as I adjusted Braden against my hip. “What are you talking about? This is my house too.”
His fist slammed against the arm of his chair, the sound cracking through the room. Braden was playing with my face like he didn’t have a care in the world. “No,” Papa growled. “This ismyhouse. And you. . .” He pointed his finger at me, eyes wild. “You don’t get to waltz in here like nothing’s wrong.”
His words were a slap to the face. I never liked being home. The only reason I stayed in Val-Du-Lys for so long was for Luc, who was now a grown man attending college in the United States. Papa had been a lot of things growing up. . .angry, drunk, bitter, but he never shouted, never really engaged Luc and me at all. This was different. He was acting stranger than usual.
“I haven’t done anything wrong,” I whispered, my throat tight. “I’m just trying to raise my son. Your grandson, let me remind you.”
