Page 154 of Leave Me Broken

“Stop scolding her like you are her father.”

Jethro narrows his eyes at me. “You want a black eye to match that headache you’re sitting with?”

“I want you to stop lecturing Payson like you have any authority in her life.”

“I’m her uncle.”

“For like three seconds!” Payson groans, throwing her hands in the air.

“For seventeen years, little girl. Just because I wasn’t around in the way I should have been, doesn’t mean I wasn’t looking out for you.” Payson shifts closer to me. I’m not sure if she means to but she does, and I relish in the fact she needs to touch me for courage. Or maybe to calm her down so she doesn’t blow up in the way she wants. Either way, I enjoy wrapping my hand over her thigh.

“How have you looked out for me?” Jethro clenches his jaw at her request. “Because as far as I know, the only thing you have done for me is give up stalking my mom when we needed you most. Run out on my brother and raise one of the worst humans I’ve ever met. And I’ve met quite a few.”

His spine steels. “Who do you think sent her away?”

“Well, you, obviously but—”

“Me. You know why? Because I couldn’t stand looking her in the face anymore. Do you know what it feels like to despise the girl you raised as a daughter?”

My heart beats rhythmically inside my chest. Jethro is completely untamed, and for once, it’s nice it’s not on me. Payson has since shrunk back into her seat and is picking at the skin on her thumb again. I grab her hands and she shoots me a worried look.

“Jethro,” I warn.

“Who do you think pays for your schooling? You know the guilt I have lived with knowing my brother was the one that ran out on you and caused your issues, or some of them?” His face pinches with anger. “Or how about the guilt I deal with every day now knowing I could have stopped everything if I had just looked.”

Payson is quiet as a mouse to my side for a long time before she drops her head. “I didn’t know you were my sponsor.”

“Yeah, that’s why it’s anonymous. I didn’t want you to know. I never wanted you to know who I was because of this reason. You asking where I’ve been. I can’t apologize for where I’ve been because I have no excuse other than it was easier to keep the distance. But I am here now, Payson, and I am telling you, you are not going to date your fucking coach under any circumstances.”

Bloody fucking hell, he is relentless. “You do not get a say.”

“The fuck I don’t.”

Payson screams, rattling the windows. “Enough! Both of you shut up! I found out my grandpa has cancer and is refusing treatment, and the last thing I want to deal with is two testosterone-filled men arguing over who they think I can, or cannot date.”

“There is no argument,” he deadpans.

Both Payson and I growl this time. “If her granddad can try and come around to the idea of it. Then so can you.”

“What?” Payson gasps. I push back a dark stray hair that’s hanging in her face, not caring that her uncle is radiating with anger in the seat across from us. “I had a long chat with your granddad about us and how it’s us and not you and Parker.”

“And?” The little bit of hope in her dilated eyes warms my heart, like maybe my Payson is still somewhere inside this broken shell.

“He’s not sold”—the hope in her eyes dims slightly—“but he said he’s not judging.”

“He won’t, but I will.”

Payson rolls her eyes to her uncle. “I only care about my grandpa’s opinion.”

His glare hardens even more and he looks between us with disgust. I know he’s giving up his argument, but that doesn’t mean he will change his mind. I’m just glad neither of us care.

“I will never support this and when you realize this is wrong”—he shoots a murderous look my way—“I will be here.”

Deciding not to argue any more, Payson settles into the limo seat, dropping her head on my arm, and closes her eyes. “Whatever.”

Payson drifted asleep in the car, and I carry her into her granddad’s much to Jethro’s dismay. Her aunt opens the door and her eyes go wide seeing her niece in my arms. It’s innocent enough but I don’t waste a breath explaining everything. I’m not explaining my relationship to her, or anyone else again. I push open her door and glance behind me, checking to make sure her aunt is gone, so when I lay her in her little bed, I lean down and press my lips to her cheek.

“I love you, babygirl,” I whisper. One more kiss and I stand.

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