CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO #3
"I was going to tell you," he says quickly. "I just wanted to have more details before I said anything. Didn't want to worry you over something that might not even happen."
"But it might happen," I say quietly.
"It might," he admits.
The room has gone silent except for the soft clink of silverware. My brothers are all watching this exchange with barely concealed interest.
"That's smart," Asher says finally. "You should always explore your options, especially in the restaurant business. High failure rate."
"It's just a meeting," Kru says, but he's looking at my brothers, not me. "Nothing's decided."
"Of course," Mom says gently. "But it's exciting to have options."
"When would this happen?" I ask, my voice sounding hollow. "If they made you an offer?"
Kru shifts uncomfortably in his chair. "I don't know. Soon, I guess.”
This detail sinks like a lead weight in my gut. The fact that I’m hearing about this at the table, at the same time as my brothers, puts me on edge.
Maybe they’re right to be cautious. Maybe I should be a little more cautious too.
But that’s something to think about later.
More than anything, I want to make it through this disaster of a game night.
Maybe there’s a chance we can turn this ship around.
I do my best to rally, to put on a smiling face.
We steer the conversation back to calmer topics; plates are cleared; cards are dealt; the hourglass is brought closer to watch and so Kru can say hi.
Kru opts to watch the first round since he’s never played euchre, and I stick close to his side so I can explain the rules as he watches Dane play.
Despite the raucous rounds of cards, I can’t stop thinking about his news about the Columbus investor.
Why didn’t he tell me?
After a full game, I realize I don’t have the energy to be here anymore. My mood is sinking the longer we stay, and I want to avoid any additional interrogation from my brothers. If I hear one more comment about my poor business decisions, I’m going to snap. Once we finish the first round, I stand.
“All right, guys, we better get going.”
“Hey, come on Pipe Cleaner, don’t be a sore loser,” Jett goads me, since he just won the first round with Griffin as his partner.
“Not being a sore loser; just being a responsible business owner.” I point to the wall clock. “It’s time for Kru to get back to the kitchen.”
I get the sense that Kru is relieved. If I’ve been eager to go since we set foot inside, I’m sure his own discomfort has been even worse. While my brothers grumble, Kru thanks everyone for the invitation.
“Maybe I’ll catch on to euchre the next time around,” he says sweetly.
But deep inside my heart, I’m worried he’s just trying to be nice.
Because he’ll never come back after the way he was treated tonight.
In fact, I’m positive that everything he saw and everything he heard has pushed him in the opposite direction.
After all, he’s already opening a side door. There are bigger things waiting for him, away from Bayshore. I ignore the wrench in my chest and push through goodbyes. But there’s something heavy on my heart, and I can’t keep it inside much longer.
“Kru, go on outside. I’ll be out in a second,” I tell him softly. He nods and heads out the front door. Once the door clicks shut, I turn to my brothers.
“I hope you’re all happy with yourselves,” I bite out. Four pairs of eyes in varying shades of blue look back at me, each Keegan brother his own version of cocky satisfaction.
“Quite happy,” Asher confirms, “to be thinking ahead and protecting you.”
“Thanks so much for the protection .” I use exaggerated air quotes around the word. “I don’t think I’ll be coming back to game night for a while. I need some time to think, because whatever you guys think you’re doing to help me isn’t working.”
Mom tuts, coming to standing. “Piper—”
“I’ll come visit you soon, Mom,” I promise her, wrapping her in a quick hug. “I need to go.”
I hurry out of the house before I can hear any dissent or complaints. My throat is tight as I hurry to the truck, which is running and warm as I slip inside.
I look over at Kru, unsure where to begin. He’s shrouded in darkness, but still I can see the weight of the evening hanging between us.
“I’m so sorry,” I begin.
He offers a smile, but it looks sad. He doesn’t say anything as he puts the truck in reverse. Once he’s backed out of the driveway, he finally says, “You warned me. No need to apologize.”
I cover my face with my hands, sinking back into the seat. “They’re just…ridiculous.”
He clears his throat. “You keep a lot of things from them, huh?”
“You see how they get whenever I do anything ,” I reply. “It’s been like this my entire life.”
“But hiding from it doesn’t help, either,” he says.
“Yeah, I know that. But…” There’s a frightening cocktail of frustration building up inside my chest. It’s effervescent.
Explosive. It feels like I could both dissolve and turn into a firework.
“Sometimes it’s just not worth the effort.
It’s not productive. They’re so judgmental .
They think they’re helping but they’re just… squashing.”
Kru is quiet as we drive through the streets of Bayshore. I take a few deep breaths, trying to put the botched game night behind us.
“I hope they haven’t scared you off,” I finally say. “They’ll laugh at a food joke of yours someday, I bet.”
Kru remains quiet, which makes my doubts and fears spiral even harder. I’m finally ready to address the knot that’s been in my gut all night.
“So…I didn’t realize you were planning on leaving Bayshore soon,” I say. As soon as the words leave my mouth I regret them.
“I never said that was the plan, Piper.” There’s no humor in his voice.
“Sounded like it’s a possibility though.”
“Everything is a possibility,” he says as he pulls onto my brother’s street. “We’re small business owners. You know this as well as I do."
I mull over his words. “Opening up new location takes a lot of time and attention. If it’s a good deal, though…you’ll take it?”
He pauses before he says, “Probably.”
“Then you’d have to be in Columbus,” I finish for him.
He sighs. “Piper, I don’t know. It’s too soon to say. It’s why I didn’t say anything.”
“But you’ll tell my brothers the vultures before you even give me a heads up.
” I’m focusing on the neighborhood flashing beyond the window, trying to stave off the tears threatening to spill.
The truck slows as he approaches Griff’s house and then pulls into the driveway.
My heart is throbbing—I feel like I’ve been broken up with somehow.
Like he’s done it without saying the words.
Maybe this is my brothers’ suspicion rubbing off. Or maybe I’m just finally seeing the reality of the situation.
“It just happened to come up,” Kru says. “What do you want me to say? I don’t think there’s any sense in worrying you when you’ve got so much going on.”
With those words, something stony slides over me.
I’m so tired of being the last one to know. The last one anyone thinks can take care of something or understand. “Yeah. I probably can’t handle it, huh?”
Kru shoots me a dark look. “That’s not what I said.”
The tears are coming fast now. I need to get out of here and inside, where I can unravel completely.
“Hope Brady was okay without you,” I say quickly, pushing open the door. “I’ll see you later, Kru.”
I slam the truck door shut and race inside before he can respond.
And in my head all I can hear are my brothers saying I told you so.