CHAPTER FOUR #4
Pa’s voice fills the room as another chair scrapes along the floor, indicating someone else is in the room.
“Now, I don’t claim to be the smartest man in the world, but I have lived a few decades and learned some things.
One thing I’ve learned is that if a woman leaves some place in a hurry, mumbling to herself as she marches to her car, that she’s pissed the fuck off, and most likely that anger or frustration is aimed at a man.
Seeing as you’re the only person in the room she left, I’m thinking her anger is directed at you.
” I look up and see Pa and Wyatt sitting at the table.
I nod. Fuck it, I’ll do whatever it takes to keep Christy as mine, including spilling everything in a vomit of verbal admissions and confessions.
“I’ve liked Christy since the moment I carried her off the mountain.
I’ve wanted to see if there could be something between us since that night, but I knew that couldn’t happen.
I knew she needed time to find her footing, to get herself settled, and experience some independence.
So I didn’t make any moves. We became friends. ”
Wyatt adds, “Is that when you started helping her study for her GED?” I nod, surprised he knows about that.
“Yeah, we kind of got into a routine. She would make me a home-cooked dinner, and afterward I would help her study. She already knew a lot more than she thought. I was mostly just helping her memorize some things and learn about the Constitution since they never talked about that up on the mountain. We did that just as friends until about four months ago. It was a night that both Mary and Kinsley weren’t home, so she made dinner just for us.
” I smile at the memory before I continue.
“We’d just finished dinner and were cleaning up before we started studying.
Christy’s almost always playing music. She’s got these playlists that everyone has made her since she never got to listen to anything before.
I think she was listening to one you made, Wyatt.
It could’ve been Jackson or any of your generation, but it switched songs, and the one that Pa always has to dance with Ma to came on.
” Pa looks at me and asks, “Which song, son?” I lean back in the chair and answer him.
“Stuck on You.” He and Wyatt both nod as Wyatt speaks up.
“That was my playlist. You can’t go wrong with classic Lionel Richie.
” Pa nods in agreement. “No, you can’t. But Lionel Richie ain’t why we’re sitting here right now, so continue your story. ”
I sigh and tell them everything—from our first dance to last night and being interrupted by Juan.
I look up, and both Pa and Wyatt are looking at me like I’m an idiot.
“He said he needed help right then, and you taught us to always be there for family. What was I supposed to do?” Both Pa and Wyatt answer me at the exact same time. “Say no!”
My surprise must be all over my face because Pa leans forward slightly, the way he’s always done when he’s about to make a point that we really need to listen to.
“You ever think about the fact that your brother lives with two other brothers, and if something was really that urgent, they would’ve helped him?
I can almost guarantee he asked Rory at least, and I bet you he got told that he would help, but today and not at ten at night. ” Well shit.
Wyatt looks at me. “That never even fucking crossed your mind, did it?” I shake my head but don’t speak because I can tell he’s got more to say.
“You know, Jonah, I swear we raised these boys right, but Jackson had to have a similar conversation with Asher at one point. Max, now I know you’ve got more book smarts than most of us put together, but it would seem in other areas, you’re just as fucking dense as the rest of them.
” Wyatt stands up, goes over to the bar, and gets a bottle and three glasses out.
As he walks back to the table, he speaks up.
“I try not to put my nose into anyone’s relationship, but I’m gonna say a couple of things that I think you might have overlooked.
” He pours us each some whiskey and sits back down.
“I get from what you said that you initially kept this relationship a secret because you wanted time for just the two of you to figure things out, correct?” I nod.
“Yeah, that’s exactly it. I wanted us to get a chance to know each other beyond friends.
” Pa and Wyatt exchange a glance, and Wyatt asks me something that I never fucking thought of.
“When any of your siblings were at the beginning of the relationship with their person, were they ever invaded every day and given no time alone? I’m pretty fucking sure the answer is no.
” Pa tilts his head. “Do you think we take over your whole life, son?”
I answer immediately. “No. No, I don’t think you invaded their space or made it impossible for them to get to know each other.
Well, not for sure in Jane’s case. Kierstie and Ry didn’t bother to share for a while, either, though both had other reasons for that.
Shit. I punched Shane for doing the same thing even though it was Kierstie’s idea. ”
Pa takes a sip of his whiskey. “I think we might be gettin’ through.
” Wyatt nods, but doesn’t look convinced.
“I can almost understand why you started it without telling anyone, but why the hell did you keep going in secret for so many months? Did Christy ever ask you when you were going to tell people?” I nod because she did ask, more than once.
“Yeah, she asked a few times.” I take a sip of the whiskey and think one glass might not be enough.
Wyatt shakes his head. “I’m not the best with words like your Pa here or even Jackson when he’s got his moments, so I’m just going to be fucking blunt. I think as a man, you can take it.” I give him a chin lift and wait for him to lay it all out.
“You didn’t want to tell everyone because you were thinking they’d be in your business.
Christy didn’t have anyone to tell. No one except for us, your family, who have welcomed her with open arms. I’m guessing she insisted on telling Mary.
” I nod again because she did, but the lead weight in the pit of my stomach is getting heavier by the second.
Wyatt points at me. “She told Mary because who the fuck else does she have to tell? She told her because she wanted to share something important. Now, Mary might be a blood relative to my Anna, but I have to admit that Christy has become a part of our family. She even got me and Jackson to teach her how to drive.”
Pa, no longer able to be quiet, speaks up.
“Did you know that when they first came off the mountain, Ma gave Christy a hug? Turns out that girl hadn’t been hugged since her mom died more than ten years before.
She’s a kind, smart, good-hearted girl with two left feet.
If you’re thinking that she’s not your foreve—” I interrupt Pa because I know Christy’s the one I want forever.
She’s the one I want to walk through life with.
“She is. I want a future with her. I want to marry her, have kids with her, and grow old together.”
An angry voice from the door speaks up. “Then you better work on a fucking big apology. I just walked a crying woman to her car, and I’m not feeling too fucking understanding at the moment.
” I look over and see a pissed-off Asher standing in the doorway with Ry standing next to him with a confused look on his face.
“I get it. I fucked everything up! All I wanted was some time! I didn’t mean for it to go on for four months, and I sure as shit didn’t want to hurt Christy! I love her. I’m so fucking in love with her that I want to tear out of this place, drive over to her apartment, and beg for her forgiveness!”
I stand up to pace because I can’t keep still. Asher walks right up to me, getting in my face. He’s maybe a couple of inches taller than me at most. He looks at me like I’m a bug to squash. Suddenly, I feel like I’m twelve again, and he’s caught Mayson and me going through his room.
“You don’t go over there tonight. She doesn't need to see your fucking face tonight, maybe even tomorrow. Logan and Nicky are going over there now with Mary.” Asher points at me and continues on, “You are either going to admit she’s not for you and let her down easy, or you’re going to man the fuck up and claim her as your woman and let the whole fucking world know it.
I will be honest. There are plenty of guys on my construction crew who would love a chance to take Christy out.
Fuck, it looks like Zane’s interested too.
I get it more than you know, Max. I kept things between Logan and me a secret too long, and I almost lost him because of that.
Learn from me and be fucking better. Christy’s a good person who’s had nothing but shit her whole life and is still more positive than almost anyone I know.
Embrace that and make her yours, or let her go and find someone who will appreciate how special she is. ”
I poke Asher back because I’ve had about enough of people thinking I don’t want Christy, especially since most of them don’t understand just how well we’ve gotten to know each other.
“Christy is mine. I love her, and she is going to be mine. She’s my now, my future, my everything.
So you go tell those fuckers that she’s not fucking available.
Fuck it. I’ll walk out of here and tell everyone.
I’m going to marry her, have kids with her, and grow fucking old with her. That okay with you?”
Asher nods and gives me a smile, so I don’t see his fist coming till I’m flying backward and am caught by Wyatt.
I look up at Asher, and he shrugs his shoulders.
“You did it to Shane so he wouldn’t forget if he hurt Kierstie.
I just figured this would be a reminder not to hurt the person who’s become like another sister to both Logan and me.
Logan will be upset if you hurt her, and I will do everything in my power to make sure no one but me pisses him off.
” I rub my face and nod because I know he’s serious.
He nods and looks over at Pa and Wyatt. “Let’s help this fucker figure out a way to make things right. He may be a genius when it comes to the law, but he needs some experienced help when it comes to his woman.”
Pa nods and looks at me. “Son, if she’s really your one, then I’ll help you any way I can. All I ever wanted for you kids was to find work that makes you feel fulfilled and happy, and a love like the one I have with your Ma. With that, everything else is just window dressing.”