Chapter 10 | Spirit
Idon’t know how long I stayed in my office with my head down, tears falling quickly and hard. How could he do this to me again? Someone knocked on my door. I sat up and tried to wipe my eyes and nose, although anyone could easily detect that I’d been crying. “Come in.”
Remi peeked his head in the office. “Can I come in? I heard what happened.”
I sniffed, surprised yet happy to see him. “Yeah. Might as well. You’re used to covering up for your brother and trying to make me feel better. Guess some things don’t change.”
He closed the door quietly and slid into the chair before my desk. “There’s no need for all this. The tears and the sadness are unnecessary this time.”
“What did he tell you?” I asked skeptically.
“It’s what I know.” He wrung his hands. “Jace won’t answer my calls. So, I know he’s sulking somewhere. Listen, I ordinarily don’t intrude in either of my brothers’ love lives. This is different. You’ve been in love with him forever, and I found out earlier today that he felt the same way. So now, I can’t let you two break up over a misunderstanding.”
“It’s not a misunderstanding. He wants what he wants, and it doesn’t matter how I feel. I thought we agreed to have my family’s name on the sign. It’s the only reason I agreed to everything.”
“And all morning, he’s been a crazy man trying desperately to fix it because he knows how much the name means to you.” Remi paused before admitting, “Jace fucked up because he read the form wrong.”
My stomach clenched. “He’s still going with that excuse.”
“No, no. Not an excuse. I know it’s been years since you and I have spoken like this. But I’ve had your back more than his, and if Jace was wrong, I would still have your back. On this one, I have to break the bro code and hope my brother doesn’t kill me.” Remi rubbed his bald head and spoke quietly as if Jace could hear him. “He has dyslexia, and he never wanted you to know that he struggles with reading. The sign was an honest mistake. A big one, but an honest one.”
Suddenly, the clouds lifted. “What? But he went to college.”
“With accommodations and even with the business, he’ll get Langston or me to review proposals and explain them to him to make sure he understands all that he reads.”
I covered my face with shame, thinking of the last thing I said to him. “I shamed him. Basically, I told him that someone can’t read. It was either the company or Jace.”
“Ooh.” He exclaimed. “Um...I mean that...fuck...that’s bad. You better go find him and fuck him good.”
I wailed, “He’s not going to forgive me. I said some ugly stuff to him. I guess the past bothered me more than I believed.”
“He’ll forgive you after a day or a week...maybe a month or so.” He joked before his expression sobered. “My brother has always been the one responsible for us all, even with his flaws, especially when my dad got sick for a long time. He may seem strong and can handle anything. He’s vulnerable and scared like the rest of us. Especially of losing you, the only woman he’s ever really loved.” He pointed at me. “And if you tell him I told you that, I’ll disown you before you become my sister.”
I moved to sit next to him. “You think that’s where we headed?”
“He’s never been scared of marriage like me and Langston. My guess is the third time is a charm. But do not hurt me if he still hasn’t asked you a year from now. I told you I stay out of my brother’s life. Still, I couldn’t let pride be the reason you ended the sweetest love ever. A love that began pure and innocent.”
I hugged his neck. “I’ll make sure that man of mine makes me an honest woman even if I have to drag him down the aisle myself.”
I JUMPED IN MY CAR, trying to figure out where he would be since Remi doubted he would be home. Then, as I drove near my condo, I thought about what happened in Vegas and my dog, Roblé, whom Jace adored, and I smiled. I parked illegally and hurried up the stairs to the second floor instead of using the elevator. I unlocked my door and opened it. On my sofa, Jace was knocked out, and Roblé rested on his chest. He really needs me. I touched my heart and kneeled next to him.
With his eyes closed, I could see the boy who waved at me first when I stared at him from my window. I kissed his lips, and when he slowly opened them. I kissed him again, and he sleepily kissed me back. “Hey. What can I say? You’re my comfort even when you’re pissed with me.”
I clasped his hand. “I’m sorry. Why didn’t you ever tell me you had dyslexia?”
He averted his gaze, and I turned his chin, forcing him to look at me.
“Do you understand that I love you and that you never had a reason to be embarrassed about something you couldn’t help? I love everything about you. Even your nasty sinus that annoys the shit out of me because you refuse to take anything.” He grinned.
“Loving you has always felt like a weakness because, for too many years, I’d believed it was unrequited. So, when shit hit the fans, I went to my default belief which was my love was and will always be greater than yours for me. Give me some time to adjust to the fact that the love you’ve shown me thus far is proof that you’ve always loved me.”
“You forgive me about the sign?”
“Yes. We’ll fix it.” I pushed up from the floor, snuggled under his arm, and squeezed next to him on the sofa. I picked up my cell out of my purse, which was still on the floor. “Think it’s time I tell my parents about the restaurant because I’m not ashamed of what we’re about to do. Im not ashamed to tell them that I probably needed weed my whole life. I just didn’t want them to judge you for being an advocate, but even if they do, I’ll tell them they have to judge me, too.” I giggled. “I’ve never been that relaxed in my life.”
Jace took the cell out of my hand, pressed his erection against my ass, and pushed down my leggings. “We’ll call them after we fuck.”
“Best idea I heard all day.” I hugged his neck. All too soon, Roblé rushed out of the room with all the happy noises his mommy made.