Chapter 15
Chapter 15
Leif
I finished ringing up my final customer of the day and looked over at my dad leaning against the wall, arms folded over his chest as he stared at me.
I knew that he wasn’t judging me or staring at me to ensure that I did everything right. That was just the way that my dad leaned. He was big like I was, so we tended to take up room. To look intimidating without even trying. And yet, even as his son, I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to not feel intimidated.
“I just love it, Leif. I can’t wait to be able to show it off to the world.”
I looked at Kathleen and grinned. “Just don’t get arrested for indecent exposure when showing it off,” I teased.
Kathleen rolled her eyes. “I may have gotten a bouquet of flowers in between my breasts, but I can still show it off with the right top. I promise not to flash random strangers on the street. But I’ll tell them I got it at Montgomery Ink Legacy if I do. I’ll be your billboard.” She winked and then waved at us with her fingers before strolling out of the place, singing a song to herself.
I shook my head, laughing softly as my dad joined in.
“That is good for business, a nice walking billboard.”
“How many women have flashed you, Austin Montgomery?” Mom asked as she came up from the back, my portfolio in her hands. She had been in the office, on the phone with one of her suppliers while looking over my work.
“I plead the fifth,” Dad said as he wrapped his arm around his wife’s shoulders. “I don’t want to incriminate myself.”
“Pleading the fifth only works in the court of law, not my court.” She went to her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “I’m sure you did lovely work, even as you were touching other women’s breasts.”
“I don’t think I need to be here for this conversation.” I shuddered as they looked at me before we all burst out laughing.
“What did I miss?” Sebastian asked as he walked in, phone in hand as he practically bounced.
“Just talking about boobs,” Mom said dryly.
Sebastian blushed. “Aunt Sierra, really?
“You asked,” she said with a laugh. Then she moved around the counter and hugged Sebastian tight. “Why are you all bouncy?”
Sebastian wrapped his arms around her, looking down. I hadn’t realized that my cousin was now taller than my mom. I should have, it was jarring.
From the way that my mom looked up, she felt it too.
“I had a good day. I got an A on my exam, thought of a kickass tattoo for later, and have a date with Marley tonight.”
“I just love that girl. I know your parents do, too.” Mom moved away and went back to my portfolio, keeping her attention on the group of us.
“I love her, too. One day soon, I’m going to marry her.” Sebastian practically beamed, and I shook my head.
“Soon? As in how soon?”
My dad let out a sigh. “Give my brother some time to get used to the fact that his kids are grown before you go out and get married.” And then Dad looked at me. “Of course, you have been grown for a while now. When are you going to ask Brooke?”
I choked on air and looked over at my dad. “What?”
“I love how his voice gets all high-pitched like that,” Sebastian said. “And Marley and I want to wait until after college to get married. We can pay for the wedding ourselves and not beg my parents for money.”
I noticed he hadn’t mentioned Marley’s parents. Marley’s parents didn’t like to spend money, didn’t like parties, and didn’t like Sebastian. Mainly because their baby girl was precious to them, and nobody would be good enough for her.
But that wasn’t my problem. At least not until they hurt my cousin. Then I would make it my problem.
“That sounds like a plan,” I said, being honest. “And as for Brooke and me, we’re doing good. Taking it slow, but I like her. And Luke.”
“I just hope that we get to meet her in a circumstance of our own choosing.” Mom gave me a look, and I winced.
It had been a few weeks since the attack, physically Brooke had healed, and found her way. I knew she still needed to talk about it with someone else, to recover fully, but she was doing better.
The three of us were.
“I told you we’re taking it slow.” Even though I didn’t believe that we were taking it too slow. Because we saw each other nearly every day, and I slept over at her house more often than not. She had yet to sleep at my house, and I understood. We hadn’t wanted to leave Luke overnight, and while I had a guest room, I didn’t have a room for Luke. I didn’t think we were ready for that, and honestly, the complications made it too difficult. So I was fine sleeping at her place.
As long as she let me, I would sleep there as much as possible.
But marriage? I needed to make sure we were both ready.
“Anyway, so I don’t stress you out about Brooke anymore, I was looking over your latest drawings for the art show. I love them. Have you shown your uncles?” Mom asked, speaking of my uncles who worked in art outside of the tattoo world.
“Uncle Alex and Uncle Jake both looked at them. I know that the gallery was interested in one. I’m fine with it as long as it hits the bank.” I shrugged. “I love drawing, but I love what I’m doing here more. I’m doing okay.”
“You’re doing more than okay.” Mom reached up and kissed my cheek, then cursed as she looked down at her ringing phone. “I need to take that.”
“And I need to go look at my next project,” Sebastian added as he gave us a two-finger salute and headed back to his station.
That left me alone with my dad while I waited for Nick to come in and start his shift and take care of any walk-ins.
“While the others are away, want to tell me why you’re so stressed?” Dad asked.
I looked up at him, confused. “Why do you say that?”
He gave me a look that told me he once again could read me like no other. “Is it Brooke?”
Honestly, Brooke was the one thing in my life that was making sense. But I didn’t need to tell my dad that. Maybe I did. Maybe I just needed to tell him what was going on. Only I saw the worry in my dad’s gaze, saw the stress.
I knew that Gideon and Jamie took up most of their time these days outside of the business. They were fifteen now and ready to take over the world. Colin was twenty-one, finishing college soon. My parents stressed about a lot of things.
Roger calling me like he had that one time almost two months ago shouldn’t be a problem. It shouldn’t be something on my dad’s shoulders, so I wouldn’t mention it. I could handle it. I always had been able to handle those memories, and I would handle them in the future. But there was one thing I could mention. Because it was something I knew I needed to get over.
“Is it weird that I opened a tattoo shop just like you? Following in your footsteps even though I didn’t mean to?”
Dad’s eyes widened, looking honestly surprised. Hell, I was surprised I’d even said the words. “Is that what you think? That you have to live up to our expectations? Because that’s not it. I thought you wanted to open up this place. To have your own business and not work with me or for me. Did I push you in a direction you didn’t want? Fuck, Leif.”
I shook my head and ran my hands through my hair. “I’m not saying it right.”
“Then tell me. Did we do something to force you into this? I know your mom is just talking about your other art because she loves your talent. Same as I do. Drawing and clay and other media like you do never appealed to me as an artist, never did. But you have always been so talented with it all. You didn’t have to follow in my footsteps. Not that I thought you would.”
I shook my head. “I don’t know. I’m the oldest cousin. I always felt like living up to what Montgomery Ink is, could be a little daunting.” I let out a sigh. “I know it’s stupid.”
My dad shook his head and squeezed my shoulder. “Look at all you’ve accomplished on your own. And with family. I had my family. I might’ve tried to forget that when I was your age, but in the end, you and I are both blessed with this big damn family. You are your own man. You always have been. You’ve grown into someone that I will always admire and trust. Breathe, okay? This place has its own reputation outside of the place Maya and I made with our friends. One day we will retire, a long ways away, boy, which means we will have a place for every Montgomery who wants to join us. Or do whatever they want. You have always been who you wanted to be. I admire the man you’ve become, and the art you create, on canvas or on skin. You have the talent, the drive, and the trust. Don’t worry about what we think but know that we think the world of you.”
My throat tightened, and I tried not to react to every single word my father had just said.
“What the hell is wrong with me?” I said after a moment, laughing. “I know you guys are proud of me. You guys have never once pushed me in any direction I didn’t feel comfortable with. And as for Brooke, by the way, you’re not going to be able to force her into a Montgomery dinner.”
“I might the next time we see her. Only because it’s been long enough. But it’s not like we found where she worked and asked her there,” Dad said after a minute.
I laughed. “I need to invite her to a family dinner. She’s just been busy, and well, we wanted time.”
“I get you.” Dad ran a hand over his beard. “You’re at a crossroads. With your woman. Your new life. Of course, you will be filled with doubt. But you have your friends. Your family. Lean on us. It’s okay to lean.”
I smiled and reached out to hug my dad hard. There were many things to say about Austin Montgomery, but he always gave good hugs.
“I love you, kid. Just saying.”
“Can I get a hug, too?” Sebastian asked, and I rolled my eyes and turned, pulling my cousin into the hug.
Sebastian laughed, then pushed away. “I meant from Uncle Austin. You’re fine, but your hugs need work.”
I push at his shoulder, laughing, as the three of us roughhoused playfully.
My mom came out of the back office and rolled her eyes. “Seriously, I leave the three of you alone for five minutes, and now you’re fighting.”
“You love me,” my dad said, and Mom laughed as the bell above the door jingled, and the woman who took my breath away walked in.
I swallowed hard, trying to get my thoughts in order so I wouldn’t drool. But that was really hard to do when Brooke was there, looking sunny and amazing, with her hand in Luke’s.
“Oh, my,” Brooke said, her eyes wide.
“Leif,” Luke called out and ran towards me. Brooke reached for him but missed, so I went around the counter and scooped Luke up in my arms.
“Hey there, buddy. You’re looking smooth in that sweater.”
Luke beamed. “Mom picked it out.”
“She did a good job.” I looked over Luke’s head at Brooke. “Hi.”
“Hi.” She clutched her hands in front of her, nervous. She looked behind me at my family, who was staring, grins on their faces.
I cleared my throat and knew it was time to stop hiding her in our bliss and confusion. “You know everybody here, but let me do introductions anyway,” I said as I kissed the top of her head, holding her close.
“Okay, Luke, that is my mom, and dad, and my cousin Sebastian. Everybody, this is Luke and Brooke. You’ve mostly all already met, but now it’s not in a stressful situation.”
My chest filled with pride as Luke waved to everybody and then scrambled down so he could go and say hello to Sebastian. Sebastian picked the kid up, settled him on his hip, and proceeded to hear all about Luke’s day.
Brooke just laughed and came forward. “Well, we see where we place in terms of hierarchy here,” she said dryly.
“It’s the Montgomery boys. You just can’t help it.” Mom came out from behind the counter along with Dad, and she hugged Brooke tightly.
“It’s good to see you. I was trying to give you space because I didn’t want to overwhelm you. We Montgomerys tend to do that.” She winked, and Brooke laughed. “However, we’re ready for the next phase, so here it goes.”
“Now I’m worried,” Brooke said, her eyes wide as she looked at me.
Mom waved her off. “Don’t be. We’re just inviting you to a Montgomery dinner.”
Sebastian whistled between his teeth, and I narrowed my gaze at him as I looked over at Brooke. “It won’t be all the Montgomerys. Not even close. Literally just my immediate family. No extra cousins, aunts, and uncles.”
“Hey, that’s not nice,” Sebastian whined.
“That’s what I was thinking,” Sierra said dryly. “I was thrust into the lion’s den of Austin’s seven siblings. Since Leif only has three siblings, you are getting off easy here.”
Austin Montgomery snorted. “I feel like I should apologize for that, but I can’t. I like my family. And I promise my parents won’t be there either, even though they want to meet you.”
Brooke’s eyes widened, and she laughed, looking at all of us. “I know that Nick told Leif that he needs to get me a family tree so I can get all the names right. I thought he was kidding.”
“You’ll be fine. I still mess up,” Mom said with a laugh.
Brooke rolled her shoulders back. “Okay, dinner sounds good. I wanted to invite you guys over for dinner at my place anyway, just to say thank you.”
The reasons why were left unsaid, and I knew it was because Luke was there and probably because nobody wanted to mention the subject.
“We can do your place next. This is fun. I can’t wait. You’ll have to tell me any allergies you have.” Then my mom went still. “And if you like cheese. These are things I need to know.”
Brooke threw her head back and laughed. I just grinned as Luke clapped and Sebastian chuckled. “Oh, I know all about the Montgomerys and cheese. I hear that, along with tattoos, are your favorite vices.”
“Guilty,” Dad said, deadpan.
“I love cheese. As does Luke. Right, buddy?”
Luke smacked his lips together. “Cheese is the best.”
“That’s what I like to hear,” my dad said as he held up a hand. Luke looked at it curiously before he high-fived it, and my dad grinned.
As Mom and Brooke talked a bit more, I went over to listen to Sebastian and my dad joke around with Luke. I stayed quiet, watching them, and swallowed hard.
This felt right, like a family. I didn’t want anything to break it. I couldn’t. That meant I needed to deal with one last thing before I could take that next step. Only I wasn’t sure exactly how to do that.
* * *
My parents left before too long, Brooke and Luke leaving soon after, which left me alone with Sebastian while we waited for Nick to show up to work.
“I hear there’s a Montgomery dinner in order,” Nick put in as he set his stuff down at his station.
I glared over at Sebastian. “It’s been like ten minutes.”
Sebastian shrugged. “I only texted Lake. She texted the rest of the family group chats.”
I pulled out my phone and cursed at the twenty-nine notifications. “My God.”
“It’s a big thing, bringing a girl and her kid over for dinner,” Sebastian said sagely.
“My family is going to give me gray hair,” I said with a laugh and then froze as someone else walked into the shop.
He looked different, and yet the same. Twenty years had passed, but I had looked up his picture once I was notified of his release so I would be able to recognize him. Gray hair, strong jaw, thick nose. He was big now because he had used the prison yard to stay in shape. He still looked mean and smarmy and like the man who had made my life hell when I was a kid.
And then he was taken away, and Mom died, and I ended up with Austin. In the end, it all worked out, but I never wanted to think about him.
Or fucking look at him.
“What are you doing here?” I asked as both Nick and Sebastian stood up. They both had clients, regulars who looked up and narrowed their eyes, noticing the tension. This was my place of business, and I didn’t want this to be a big thing, but I wasn’t sure what else to do.
“I just wanted to see where my kid worked.”
“I’m not your kid. Mom never married you. You’re just some guy she was with. Then you were in prison. You need to go now. This is my place of business, and I don’t want you here.”
Did I sound calm? Because I didn’t feel calm.
“I just thought you owed me. Don’t you think you owe me? You have all of this while I was sent to prison. Doesn’t really seem fair.”
“You were sent to prison for your own actions and decisions that had nothing to do with me.”
“Yet you have such a good life, but where would you be without me?”
“You have nothing to do with who I am. You need to go.”
“Maybe I should go see that girl, the one that just left here with the pretty hair and eyes. What about that little kid? Your mom was about that age when I met her. You were about that kid’s age, too. Brings back memories.”
I moved forward, my fist flying out without even thinking. But then Nick was there, holding me back.
“This is just what he wants,” Nick whispered in my ear.
“Got yourself a boyfriend holding you back, too? Well, I knew things got weird in your family. I didn’t realize that you were one of them.”
I pushed forward, but Nick held firm. “Get your hate speech and dickishness out of here.”
“That’s just fine. If you’re not going to help me, maybe she will. She looks rich. I’ll see what she wants to do to help a poor man.”
“Stay away from her.”
“Maybe I will, maybe I won’t. She reminds me of your mom. Be nice to see her.”
Then Roger walked out, and I sucked in a breath, my gaze going fuzzy.
“You need to call the family,” Nick whispered as their clients got up and came forward.
Brett, a big man and construction worker that worked with my family, narrowed his gaze. “You need to call your parents. Seriously, at least let them know. And the cops.”
“Brett’s right,” Jared put in. He was a fireman, worked long hours, and was one of Nick’s regulars.
“I’m fine. I can handle it.” Even as I said the words, I knew they were a lie. I ran my hands over my hair, then growled. “I need to go.”
“Are you going to go talk to your dad?” Nick asked, anger in his gaze.
“I will. When I see them. I need to go find Brooke first.”
“Make sure she’s safe,” Sebastian said, his voice quiet.
“You want me to talk to one of my friends down at the precinct?” Jared asked.
“I’ll figure something out.”
“Leif,” Nick said, the disappointment and anger in that one word evident.
I let out a breath, the clock ticking loudly in my head. “Fine, I should talk to the authorities. So they at least know he’s harassing me. But I need to talk to Brooke.”
“We can do that. Come on, I’ll go with you,” Jared said.
I shook my head. “No, I can do this.”
“And I’m going with you,” Nick said.
“Well, our tattoo artists are going, it looks like I’m coming, too,” Brett put in.
“I’ll stay here and hold down the fort.” Sebastian put in.
“I’m taking up your days,” I said, shame crawling up my spine.
“No, that man came in and harassed you, and from what it sounds like, he’s probably on parole. So let’s see what we can do to keep your family safe.” Jared nodded tightly before getting his things.
“What the hell does he want from me?” I asked as Nick glared.
“He wants everything he couldn’t have before because he’s a bully. And I know all about bullies, Leif. We’ll fix this. But you have to stop trying to handle it on your own. You have to stop trying to hide the stress from your family.”
“I just don’t want to hurt them,” I said, my voice breaking.
“Then don’t. But you’re not going to get hurt because of that asshole. So come on. Let’s go.”
I let my best friend, and two men I hardly knew, walk me out the door and right back into my past.
It was my present that kept echoing in my head.
I needed to keep Brooke safe.
Even if I made the wrong choice in the end. The only choice I could.