Chapter 8
Still Dylan
The knot in my stomach hadn’t eased a whole day later.
Indy tossed me an uneasy smile as I walked around my truck and met up with her on the sidewalk.
“I promise it won’t be that bad.” I told her before finishing under my breath, “for you.”
“You say that like I don’t have an alliance or an affiliation or whatever with you. I don’t want you to have a bad time tonight. You are literally the only person I know here.”
I sighed. “My family’s great, really. And any shit they send my way is a hundred percent deserved. Believe me. It’s past time for me to own my shit.”
“Not sure how that’s supposed to make me feel any better.” She shook her head. “Sounds like it’s going to be the most awkward family dinner ever.”
“Nah, I bet by the end of the night you’ll have four new best friends and a surrogate mother.”
“Not that you’re overselling it or anything.” She laughed incredulously.
I shrugged. “My brothers’ girlfriends are awesome, and so is Sabrina. You’ve already met Maddie, remember? And she’s great. You—unlike me—have nothing to worry about.”
“I still feel like I’m leading someone to the gallows.” She hummed the ‘Imperial March’ under her breath.
So I was laughing when we reached the front step, and Aunt Wendy opened the door before I could reach for the knob.
My laughter fell away.
She crossed her arms over her chest and gave me the same appraising look Austin had yesterday. The knot in my stomach rose into my throat while guilt hammered away in my chest. “Hey, Aunt Wendy.”
“So you are alive.” Her eyebrows rose and her eyes flicked to Indy standing slightly behind me. “And who’s this?”
“Uh…” It didn’t occur to me that Austin hadn’t told Aunt Wendy about our extra guest tonight. I didn’t even have to look to know that Indy was trying to hide behind me. “This is my friend, Indy. She’s going to be working with us as our receptionist, starting tomorrow.”
“Indy?” Aunt Wendy leaned to the side and gave Indy a wide smile.
“Indy, your eyes are just gorgeous. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone with eyes so vibrantly blue.
And with all that glorious hair! Makes me wish I hadn’t cut most of mine off.
” She pushed a hand through her short blonde hair, and her dangly earrings jangled with the motion.
“It’s easy to grow it out when you can’t afford haircuts,” Indy whispered behind me.
I closed my eyes. Something about her whispering it hit me viscerally. Like she was ashamed of herself.
Fuck. That.
I turned to say as much when Aunt Wendy bustled out of the doorway and stepped past me to put an arm around Indy. “It would be a crime to cut your hair. Like Samson. Is that wave natural?”
Indy nodded uncertainly.
“Gah, what I’d give to have that. It falls so prettily. Mine goes frizzy with the slightest amount of humidity. Like Monica from Friends. Once I went to Orlando, and by the end of the trip, my hair was out to here.” She gestured an absurd distance from her head.
Indy giggled.
She giggled.
And I could only stare in amazement.
I’d never heard her make that noise before. In seconds, my aunt had gotten Indy to lower her walls and let her in.
But I vowed it wouldn’t be the last time.
Aunt Wendy and Indy walked inside while I gaped after them. They were a good ten feet inside the house before Aunt Wendy turned and barked at me, “Well, come in if you’re coming. You’re letting the bugs inside.”
I blinked and jumped, stepping inside the house and closing the door behind me.
Immediately, the scent of Italian spices and tomato sauce welcomed me, and I smiled. We weren’t an Italian family or anything, but something about this meal always made me think of home. And Aunt Wendy.
Which in turn now made me feel even more guilty.
Shit.
Aunt Wendy pulled Indy into the living room and introduced her to everyone like she was an important and welcome guest. Indy smiled at Fliss, her eyebrows raising in surprise when Fliss flung herself into Indy’s arms. Indy caught her and laughed with everyone while Fliss rested her head on Indy’s shoulder and twined Indy’s hair around her finger.
At almost one, Felicity had a good amount of blonde hair herself, but like Aunt Wendy, she was clearly fascinated by Indy’s long, wavy brown hair.
Hope came up to her side, clearly offering to take Fliss off her hands, but Indy shook her head and said something. And then they were deep in conversation.
“Long time, no see, asshole.” My brother, Ryan, sidled up to me and held out a beer.
I hesitantly reached out for it, almost certain he’d yank it back at the last second. But he didn’t, and I accepted the beer with a slight smile I definitely wasn’t feeling. “Thanks.”
He nodded. “I hear we’ve hired a new Girl Friday.”
“If you mean receptionist, then yes.” I cracked open the beer and took a pull. Some of the tension released from my shoulders at the familiar hoppy taste.
“And the new mural on the paint shed? Any comment on that?”
I choked on my beer for a second and coughed. Shit, I’d forgotten about that. “I, uh, didn’t think anyone had seen it yet.”
And there went my plan to paint over it tonight in hopes of avoiding this awkward conversion.
“Had to go in today to accept a delivery.” Ryan lifted his eyebrows. “I think I’m the only one who’s seen it so far.”
I unconsciously sought out Indy who was now sitting on the couch between Maddie and Hope while she held a sleepy Fliss on her chest.
“I kinda doubt Austin will be into it. Kinda seems like he’s the one pissing on the mountain of poor kitties.”
I winced. “It’s me, okay? I’m the one in the jacket. I’m the one pissing on everyone. It’s got nothing to do with Austin or you or anyone else. I’m the asshole, okay? It’s about me.”
Ryan froze with his beer a full foot away from his mouth as he stared at me. After a long beat, his arm fell to his side, and he shook his head. “Have you thought about going back to see the therapist again?”
“The one we all saw for anger management?”
He nodded. “Sounds like you have some stuff to work out.”
I sighed. “Maybe.”
“I mean, I’m here for you, bro. Unlike some of our asshole siblings, I don’t hold anything that’s happened the last few years against you. You were figuring shit out. So if you ever want to talk, I’m here for you. I’m literally right next door.”
“Right.” I laughed slightly at my brother’s teasing tone.
“So maybe stop being a stranger—and an asshole—and open up a little. I miss having my partner in crime around.”
“I do miss sneaking cheese out of your fridge.”
“Maybe knock first now though.” Ryan quirked his eyebrows. “Just to make sure everyone’s dressed.”
I grinned even as my heart lurched in my chest. Don’t get me wrong, I was glad my brother had found his person—that all my brothers had found their persons—I was just…envious, I guess.
“I like your girl, Dylan.”
I jolted as Aunt Wendy patted my shoulder and forced me back into the present.
My smile felt plastic. “She’s not my girl. Just a friend.”
She tipped her head. “We’ll see about that.”
Whoa. Yeah, no. I really didn’t like the sound of that. “She’s nineteen, Aunt Wendy. And doesn’t have anyone to rely on. The last thing she needs is—”
“Is dinner almost ready, or should I get Wyatt a snack?” Austin butted in. “He’s getting hangry, and it won’t be pretty here in a minute.”
“Give him some bread then put the rest on the table.” She shoved the breadbasket into his chest. “And maybe next time, mind your manners and wait until we’re finished talking.” She waved a hand between herself and me.
“When it comes to my hungry kid, I’m not waiting for anyone.” Austin sneered. “Especially not this asshole.”
“When you’re in my house, you will damn well remember your manners and act accordingly. If you can’t, you’re welcome to leave.” Aunt Wendy stared Austin down for a beat. “Now apologize to your brother, and then feed your kid.”
Austin was caught in her thrall for a moment, totally abashed, before he stepped back and shook his head. He mumbled a quick, “sorry” then all but ran away with his tail between his legs.
“And you need to sort that out.” Aunt Wendy turned her stare to me. “Actions have consequences, and you’re reaping what you’ve sown. It’s on you to fix your relationships with your family. Avoiding it won’t do shit.”
I nodded quickly. “Yes, ma’am.”
She grunted in reply then headed for the stove to finish off dinner preparations.
I knew better than to follow her.
“Damn, son. Dinner and a show.” Ryan chuckled under his breath. “Love seeing Austin get his ass handed to him.”
“And me too, no doubt.” I hung my head, too ashamed to look my brother in the eyes. I shook my head, totally disgusted with myself, and took another pull from my beer. The way it was going Indy would be the one driving us home tonight.
I had to get my shit together.
“Nah, we’re good.”
“Wait, what?” I blinked and jerked my head up to stare at Ryan in confusion. “Seriously?”
“I mean I wouldn’t turn down an apology—”
“I’m so fucking sorry, bro. I did shit that was stupid, irresponsible, downright asinine and I know there’s—”
“Whoa.” Ryan raised his palms. “Calm your tits. A simple sorry will do it.” He paused and patted me on the shoulder. “I get why you did what you did. I grew up in the same house, remember?”
I nodded tightly.
“I get wanting a dad—a real dad. He clearly snowed you. And then before you knew it you were neck deep in his bullshit without a shovel to dig yourself out.”
That hit me square in the chest. For the first time in so long I felt seen. My eyes stung, and I fought like hell to keep the tears from following.
“And lessons were learned, right?” Ryan clapped me on the shoulder again. “Next time shit goes down you’ll—”
“Call on you guys to help me bury the body.”
Ryan laughed. “Fuck yeah. I have a bag of lime in the garage and everything.”