Page 39 of Pretend You Love Me
“My brother is just really protective.”
Protective sounds like code for abusive to me.
“Your brother? Why the hell is it any of his business what you do?” I’m ready to find this guy and rip him limb from limb.
“It’s really not like that. He’s a lot older than me - more of a father figure.”
“That doesn’t make it any fucking better,” I yell.
She cowers. I’ve upset her.
“I can help you better if I know what’s going on,” I say, my voice quiet again.
She just shakes her head.
“The food’s getting cold,” she says. “We should eat.”
I don’t consider this conversation to be over, but it’s clear she does. I lift my fork to my mouth and groan as soon as the frittata touches my lips.
“Damn.”
“I know, right? Eggs are the best. You can fry them, scramble them, boil them, oh, poached eggs. Poached eggs are heavenly. And, then you can do all of these crazy things when you bake - meringues, soufflés, custards. I can’t imagine having an egg allergy.”
I smile. She’s completely relaxed and happy. Whatever’s going on in her life, at least she feels safe and comfortable here.
“You like to cook?”
“Well, my sister and one of my brothers are really into it. They’ve taught me a lot. Whenever we’re together, I try to help them in the kitchen, so I can learn a thing or two.”
“A different brother? Or is this the possessive father/brother?”
She winces. “They are allprotective. I didn’t say possessive.”
“You didn't. I did.”
She frowns.
“So you have a big family? Is it two brothers and a sister?”
She dodges the question. “I guess it’s pretty big. What about you? Just you and Hawk?”
“It is now. We had a sister.”
“Oh god, I’m so sorry.”
I nod. I don’t want to talk about it right now - or ever, for that matter.
We finish lunch in silence, and then I say, “I’m going out later this afternoon and won’t be back until late tonight. Make sure you lock all the doors.”
“Don’t want any of those moose breaking in, huh?”
“I’m not joking.”
“I know.”
Jesus, she makes me feel like she needs constant watching. I’m worried about leaving her later today, but I have things that can’t wait.
Sterling Family Group Text
