Page 58 of Beneath the Stars (Sugarlake 1)

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Alina

“Your brother’s comin’ home.”

I blink across the table at Daddy. He says it so casually, like Eli visits all the time. My fork is halfway to my mouth, but I place it back down without indulging. “I’m sorry?”

“Elliot’s comin’ home. Popped the question to that girlfriend of his. She wants to meet the family, see where he grew up. Look at a couple places to get hitched.”

My mouth is gaping. Did I fall asleep and wake up in some alternate universe? I would swear Daddy’s three sheets to the wind already, but he’s not slurring yet, so I know that isn’t the case. “Eli’s gettin’ married?”

Daddy nods, shoveling forkfuls of dinner into his mouth.

“Here?”

“Yes, here. Why wouldn’t it be?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe ‘cause he hasn’t been home to see us since Mama died?” The words rush out, and I curse my lack of filter. Dang it.

Daddy’s eyes darken. I flinch from the sound of his fork clattering to the plate. His chair scrapes back as he walks to the cupboard next to the sink, taking out his trusty friend Jack and refilling his glass. His third since dinner started.

“Daddy, don’t you think you’ve had enough?”

“Enough of what? Speak plain words, girl. I don’t have time for your riddles.”

“You know what. Mama wouldn’t want this for you.”

He spins around, leaning his back against the counter as he brings the tumbler to his lips and takes a big gulp. “I try to share the good news that Elliot’s comin’ back around, and all you wanna talk about is your mama? Well, guess what, Alina, she’s dead. She ain’t comin’ back. We were drivin’ to your recital when we lost her forever. You better find it in you to forgive your brother. You can’t blame him for not wantin’ to be around when you’re the reason his mama is gone.”

I focus on my breathing. In and out. He doesn’t mean it. It’s not your fault.

I blink back the tears and murmur, “I just worry about you.”

He grunts, his nose already back in his glass, taunting me with his disregard.

And so it goes.

I don’t know how I’m supposed to feel about Eli coming home. I’m mad he told Daddy first and didn’t think to include me. I stomp outside, pulling up his name on my phone, pressing send before I can second guess myself.

“Hey, Lee.”

“Married, Eli? Really?”

I hear his heavy breath on the line. “Pops told you?”

“Yes, Daddy told me. What the heck, you can’t call and tell me yourself? Gotta send the town drunk to do your dirty work?”

“Don’t call him things like that.”

“Well, it’s the truth, Eli. Not that you’d know about it.”

“That’s not fair.”

“Don’t get me started on what’s fair.” Pure, hot anger blazes at his careless words. Must be nice out in Florida, with his fancy girl, and his fancy life. “You gonna tell me about your girl? Sarah, right?”

“Yeah, Sarah. And there’s not much to tell.”

I snort. “Not much to tell? You sure do sound real crazy over her.”

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