Page 80 of Taming Liberty

“Ah,” she nods, getting this uncomfortable look that confuses me.

“Hey, what’s with the English?” I ask.

I study the way she shifts as the discomfort on her face intensifies.

“Is this a touchy subject?”

She shakes her head. “No, it isn’t. I’m just…” She sighs and meets my eyes. “I remarried.”

My eyes narrow with confusion as I wait for her to continue. When she doesn’t, I give her a simple, “All right.”

“He’s American. He’s taken the boys to the States with him before, and Sam has this big dream of attending university there. We speak a lot of English because Michael’s Spanish sucks, and Sam likes to practice their slang. Hence, the ‘dude’ remark.”

I nod.

“I should’ve told you…” She breaks eye contact and fumbles with her hands.

“Why would you feel you needed to tell me? It isn’t as if I’ve shared a great deal of my life with you.”

“Right, but I’m not financing your life.” She blows out a breath and looks at me. “We’ve only been married a couple of years, and I was going to tell you as soon as—”

I hold up a hand. “Stop. It’s fine. I don’t care about the money.”

“I shouldn’t have kept taking it. It’s just, Michael’s and my income combined barely affords—”

“Julia.”

She closes her mouth.

“It’sfine. If the accident hadn’t happened, Dario would be taking care of you. Thank you for saying you don’t hold me accountable, but the only thing that helps me live with myself is knowing that my brother’s family is okay, at least financially.”

She lets out a sigh of relief and leans back into her chair. “Thank you.”

I force a smile because I don’t know how else to respond. I can’t say ‘you’re welcome’ for taking care of something that’s my responsibility.

“You’re sending way too much, though. Your last check isn’t even cashed yet. It’s still sitting on the end table.”

“Put it in a fund for the boys.”

“You mean other than the car fund, college fund, and trust when they turn twenty-one?” She laughs. “I think you’ve set them up enough.” Her smile falls. “Thank you for doing that for Adán. I know he isn’t your blood…”

“He’s as much my nephew as Sam is… If they’ll still have me.”

A smile blooms on her face, and she slaps her knees and stands. “Well, let’s go see how badly your nephew is beating your girlfriend at Mario Kart.”

I smile and stand, following after her. “I wouldn’t underestimate Lib. She may surprise you.”

“She’s pretty great, huh?” Julia throws me a look over her shoulder.

My mind goes to Lib and me back in the hotel room, when she bullied me into coming here. I don’t know how, but she always seems to be right. I owe her for this.

“Fucking amazing.”

18

Lib

Angel looks so much softer when he sleeps.

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