Chapter 3
Chapter Three
ANDREI
Iwas so pissed I could punch through a wall right now. How dare Patrice come to our property and act like she owned the place? She was nothing. Less than nothing. She was a speck of shit on the bottom of my shoe.
The moment her car was out of sight, Kaleb’s shoulders finally relaxed and he released a shuddering exhale.
"She is a fucking piece of work." Lottie wrinkled her nose.
"You don't even know the half of it, baby girl.
" Kaleb sounded so defeated as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and brought her against his side.
Those hazel eyes reflected decades of pain at the hands of his mother, and it made me want to ruin her after I punched her douchebag husband in the face.
Oscar pulled the SUV into the garage and then came out to meet us. "Does she ever give up?" Even he hated the wicked witch that was Patrice.
"No, she doesn't." There was little more than resignation in Kaleb's statement and my hands clenched into fists at my sides.
A shiver had Lottie's body quaking and Kaleb shook his head and pulled her even closer. She was in her normal work from home clothes, which were comfy pants and a tank top. "Let's get you inside." He kissed her forehead and I followed them inside, Oscar following close behind.
I went straight to the kitchen and poured us all healthy portions of whiskey, and a glass of wine for Lottie, before joining them in the living room.
Kaleb downed his whiskey in a single swallow, and I handed him mine with a shake of my head. It was going to be one of those types of days. Not that I could blame him.
Patrice was his trigger, just like my grandfather had been for me.
Lottie accepted the glass of wine with a grateful smile, and I headed back to the kitchen to grab the bottle.
I had a feeling we were going to need it tonight.
When I returned to the living room, Lottie had scooted herself closer to Kaleb and had a hand on his knee. Her brow was furrowed in concern, and her gaze lifted to meet mine and her eyes pleaded with me.
I refilled the two empty glasses of whiskey and sat down on Lottie's other side. "Kaleb, remember when you told me I had to open up about my past?"
His eyes fluttered shut and he muttered a curse beneath his breath.
"I take that as a yes." I paused to sip my amber liquor. "I didn't think I'd have to pull out the same words so soon, but here we are."
Lottie rubbed her hand up and down Kaleb's leg, as her teeth gripped her bottom lip.
I placed a hand on her back. "Just say what you're thinking, kroshka. He needs to hear it, just like I did."
She nodded and took in a deep breath. "Kaleb, I love you. Nothing is going to change that." She paused and tilted her head to the side. "Well, maybe if you like cheated on me or set my Squishmallow collection on fire, then I probably wouldn't anymore, but you'd never do that so it's a moot point."
"Breathe," I whispered into her ear, and she stopped speaking to take a few inhales.
"If that woman is what you grew up with, then I'd say you're even more incredible."
Kaleb's head snapped up and he looked at Lottie as if she'd grown two heads. "Why would you say that? She's a monster."
"No!" Lottie shook her head, her pigtail braids swinging back and forth.
"I meant cause you survived being raised by her.
" She shook her head. "Although I'm pretty sure that woman probably didn't have much to do with your raising.
But anyway, you're incredible because you're still such a caring and kind person, despite her ugliness. "
Her words warmed me from the inside out. Our girl was one of the most incredible people on this planet. Her capacity for love was exponential. I continued to be in awe of her every day that we got to spend with her.
"I don't deserve you." Kaleb grasped her hand and squeezed.
"Remember those conversations about not saying shit like that?
" Lottie laughed, but it was strained. Tears slid from the corners of her eyes and down her cheeks.
"You accepted me for my faults. Didn't look at me any different after knowing about my ex, and my parents, and everything else I've laid at your feet.
Why would I judge you for having a piece of shit for a mom? "
Kaleb blew out a tired breath before turning toward Lottie and framing her face in his hands. "She is a piece of shit. But I never wanted any of her venom to fall on you."