53. Ford #2
She rolls her watery eyes. “Well, that’d be nice, since all I’ve ever wanted is to be part of this family. And I mean like, a real part. Not an afterthought or a mailed Christmas card.”
My chest squeezes. She thinks she’s an afterthought?
The girl’s gotta be joking. She’s been the center of our world since the day she was born.
Even after our father sent her away, she was always in our thoughts.
Always remembered. Always treasured. Then again, since she’s been home, have we still been mourning her absence?
In a way, I guess we have. Don’t get close on the off-chance Daddy Dearest sends her away.
It’s been a worry in the back of my mind since the moment she reappeared on our doorstep.
One I refuse to give another second of attention.
“You’re not an afterthought, Cobes,” Jagger replies, voicing my same sentiment. “Promise.”
“Really wish you would’ve come to us, though,” I add. “Would’ve saved everyone a big headache.”
“I know,” she breathes out. “I was just scared. Dad, he…he has more power in his pinky than I do in my entire body. I felt like I didn’t have any options.”
“Well, with how you handled everything, I think you proved everyone very, very wrong,” I announce.
“Yeah,” Hawke laughs. “You should’ve seen Dad’s face when we told him everything. He underestimated the hell out of you.”
Something shines in her pretty eyes. Pride, maybe? She rests her chin on her knees, but stays quiet, digesting Hawke’s words.
“And now, Titas can’t blackmail you anymore,” Jagger continues. “Not with all the dirt we have on him.”
“And if we need to pay him back for your dorm mess so he can’t hold it over your head anymore, we can look into that, too,” I add.
She wipes at her cheeks once more. “I would never ask any of you to do that.”
“That’s the thing about family.” Jagger bumps his shoulder with hers on the couch. “You don’t need to.”
Grabbing Hawke’s and Jagger’s hands with hers, she gives them each a squeeze with a teary smile, then peers up at me. “Thank you.”
“Anytime, Cobes,” I tell her. “Now, get in here.” I open my arms, and she jumps to her feet, hugging the hell out of me.
“You too, brothers,” I order. We’re not exactly a hugging family, but after hearing Cobie’s perspective, it’s clear we should make an exception.
Standing, Hawke and Jagger help me create a Cobie sandwich in the middle of the family room, each of us placing kisses on the top of Cobie’s head as if they wield the power to create a princess crown.
When a door closes upstairs, I glance toward the second floor, curious, before connecting Roman’s absence to the sound.
“He’s mad at me,” Cobie whispers.
“Nah, he’s just had a long day,” I tell her.
It’s probably half-true. Today’s been long for all of us.
I’m sure by tomorrow, his pissy behavior will subside, and it’ll be like this never happened.
Maybe. Hopefully. All right, who am I kidding?
The man’s as stubborn as an ox. I know it.
Jagger and Hawke know it. And I have a feeling Cobie knows it, too.
My baby sister shakes her head. “I’ve always, uh, I’ve always told him everything. And even though keeping this from him about killed me, he doesn’t understand. I’m not sure he’ll ever understand, let alone forgive me.”
“You’re like a little sister to him,” I remind her. “And if your real brothers can forgive you, Roman can, too.”
Her mouth bunches on one side as she peers up at the top of the stairs. It’s like she’s silently willing him to reappear so she can make things right. So she can make him understand. He won’t, though. Not willingly.
Stubborn ass.
“Go up there,” I suggest. “Talk to him.”
“He’s your family, too,” Hawke encourages.
She licks her lips, then nods, and makes her way upstairs, only to disappear seconds later.
When we’re alone, Hawke and I exchange a worried glance.
“You think he’ll let it go?” Hawke asks, keeping his voice low, so it doesn’t travel.
Jagger squeezes the back of his neck, watching where our baby sister disappeared. “He doesn’t take betrayals well.”
“I mean, who would?” I volley.
Jagger’s gaze cuts to me. “You know what I’m saying.”
He’s right. I do. But that’s a story for a different day, and right now? Right now, all I want is to track down my girl and bury myself inside of her for the next week. Is that too much to ask?
I slap my hand on each of my brothers’ shoulders. “If they kill each other, give me a call. I’m gonna track down June.”
“Tell her thanks for us,” Hawke says. “I mean it.”
I nod. “Will do.”
“Wait!” Violet calls. She jogs down the stairs. “Mind if you give me a ride?”
“You think I’m letting you out of my sight?” Jagger demands.
As she reaches Jagger in the center of the family room, Violet pats his chest. “Calm down, big boy. I need to grab a few things from my apartment, along with my car, but I’ll be back.”
“I can take you,” he starts.
“You should be here for Cobie, just in case.” She kisses his cheek. “But I’ll be as fast as I can. Promise.” Turning to me, she wipes her palms on her jeans. “You ready?”
I motion for the front door. “Lead the way.”
Most of the drive is quiet as we take the winding road to Violet’s apartment.
It’s comfortable. The silence. Like the road trips you spend with your siblings growing up.
Sure, there’s a little joking here and there, maybe a couple of sarcastic remarks, but overall, it’s pain-free.
No awkwardness. No forced conversations.
I glance at Violet in the passenger seat.
If only I could keep it that way.
I reach forward and turn down the volume on the dashboard. “You know, I never apologized.”
With a frown, Violet tears her attention from the road and looks at me. “Hmm?”
“I never apologized.”
“For what?”
“For being a dick when you first showed up.” It’s something I’ve wanted to say for weeks.
Something I’ve held back, but after everything my family’s been through—after everything I’ve been through with June—it feels like a weight is sitting on my chest and it won’t go away until I rip the thing off like a Band-Aid.
Confused, Violet shakes her head. “Ford, you were never a—”
“Nah, we’re past lying, don’t you think?”
Her lips purse as I pull into the apartment complex, though she doesn’t bother taking in the familiar building. No, she’s too busy watching me. “Okay,” she finally caves, “you were a dick, but I understood why.”
My brow quirks.
“You love your brother, and you loved the way your life was set up. Or at least, you thought you did,” she clarifies.
“Then, in walked a random girl from the wrong side of the tracks who not only knocked your brother on his ass, but threw your entire business for a loop.” Her shoulder lifts.
“Of course, you wanted me out of the picture.”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” I argue. The engine cuts, but neither of us reaches for the door handle. “I didn’t necessarily want you out of the picture. I just didn’t want my brother to sacrifice everything in his life for a girl who wouldn’t be around in the long run.”
She flinches back as if I’ve slapped her. “Ouch.”
“What I failed to see were two things,” I continue. “One, us Hardens don’t fall easily, but when we do, it’s game over.”
“Game over, huh?” she repeats.
“Yeah.” I smile. “Game over. That’s that. We’re like putty in your hand.”
Her mouth twitches. “What’s the second thing?”
“Two, not everyone worth keeping around leaves.” I hesitate. “I was convinced that even if Jagger really did love you, it was only a matter of time before you ruined him. Whether it was taking advantage or growing bored. You were gonna have your fill, then get the hell out of Dodge.”
The confession leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, no matter how true it is.
I was scared. Scared Violet Reeves would barge into our lives, blow everything up, then leave Jagger—and subsequently me—to pick up the pieces.
I had no idea how wrong I was. And putting that kind of pressure on Violet wasn’t fair. Plain and simple.
“Not going anywhere, Ford.” Violet reaches over and squeezes my knee. “And neither is June.”
“I know.” Or at least, I hope I know. It doesn’t matter that I’ve already talked to June.
That we’ve already discussed everything that happened with Bryan.
That she already did more for my family and me than I ever could’ve requested from someone.
The possibility of her leaving is like a boulder on my chest. Hell, it makes it hard to breathe.
To fathom a life without her, even if I don’t have to.
Even if she’s waiting for me upstairs. Guess that’s the thing about love.
There’s a necessary trust element that comes with it.
One that’s scary and leaves the other more vulnerable than they’d like to be, but fuck, is it worth it. Or at least, I hope it is.
“You’re a good guy, Ford,” Violet murmurs. “And if I can see it, then I know June can, too.”
“Thanks, Vi,” I murmur.
“Thank you,” Violet emphasizes. “For the ride and the apology.” With a smile, she reaches for the door handle. “You really are the best. Now, get up there and get your girl because clearly, you’re missing her.”
Now that sounds like a genius idea.