Chapter 26
Twenty-Six
Sean
“Wait. Wait. Wait,” Hannah rushes out, glancing over at Jade. “I think this might be an adult only conversation . . . Jade, want to go upstairs and watch a movie?”
“Can I watch Ariel?”
“Anything you want, baby,” she says, taking her by the hand and leading her out of the room.
God, I love that woman.
I turn my focus back to my sister. “Alright. Now, spill,” I clip.
“She approached me at the bar in the casino after you—” Aiden starts but is quickly cut off by my sister.
“Remember when we were at dinner and you said you needed to get back to Aiden? After you left, I followed you. I watched you two, plotting my next move, and I was just about to give up, but then you ran off with those two women and left him standing at the bar. Which was rude, by the way. There were enough women for each of you to take one. Doesn’t surprise me though.
You’ve always been selfish, but it worked out for me this time because you gave me the perfect opportunity to strike. ”
“Why the fuck would you do that?” I ask.
“Because you fucked my best friend. I thought it was only fair to fuck yours back . . . but then Pterodactyl boy over here nearly broke his dick, and well . . . my revenge didn’t work out quite how I wanted it to.”
“Do you know how goddamn immature you sound right now, Viviana? Hmmm?”
“You didn’t just fuck Ava, okay? You messed with her head.”
“I messed with her head,” I deadpan.
That wasn’t the case at all.
She throws out a hand. “Don’t play stupid, Junior.
You weren’t clear on where things stood between you two.
When you dropped her without a fucking word, she dropped me.
The consequences of your actions don’t start and end with you.
Shit like that trickles down. You fucking hurt me!
So yeah, I found your friend in a bar and seduced him. ”
“Ouch.” Aiden reaches up and rubs his chest with his fist. “I feel so used.”
Swinging my head in his direction, I arch a brow. That mother fucker does not feel used. He holds both hands up in surrender, and I turn back to my sister.
“Who told you I wasn’t clear on where things stood? Her? Or is that a conclusion you came to on your own?” I ask for clarity.
Before she can answer, Hannah saunters back into the room, and fuck, I don't want to dive into this with Viv in front of her. The last thing I ever want to do is hurt her. Sure, she knows I had a life before her, but that doesn’t mean she needs to hear about the women I slept with before we got together.
If I ask her to leave, will she? No, because her curiosity about what’s going on between me and Viv will eat her alive.
That doesn’t mean I’m not going to try to get her out of here.
“Mi amor, you’re not gonna want to stick around for this conversation.”
Hannah takes a seat on the end of the couch closest to Granny’s perch in the recliner. “I think I’ll stay.”
“You should. This is better than watching The Days of Our Lives,” Granny says to Hannah, then pulls up on the footrest so she can kick back for the show.
“Jesus Christ.” I drag a hand over my face.
“It doesn’t matter if Ava told me or if I came to the conclusion on my own,” Viv spits, bringing my attention back to her. “She’s been my best friend since we were teenagers. She was off limits.”
“Did you tell her I was off limits? Do you know how many times she’d stay the night in high school and try to climb into my bed after you fell asleep?”
Viv pins me with a look that says she doesn’t believe me.
“You know what really gets me? What really grinds my gears?” I add, because now I’m just pissed the fuck off for being painted as the villain.
“You women pick through men like you’re picking through a fucking catalogue.
You find a guy you think is hot . . . doesn’t really matter what he says or how he feels, because in your mind, if you can get him into bed, he’ll fucking change for you.
We tell you . . . we fucking tell you what’s up—that it’s a one-time thing—but do you all listen?
No. That’s exactly what happened with Ava, Viv.
I told her from the very beginning that I didn’t want a relationship.
It sounds to me like she thought she could change my mind then got butt hurt when she realized she couldn’t. ”
“Maybe you should’ve kept your dick in your pants,” she quips.
“Oh, we’re going with misandry now, huh?” I ask just as Granny points out, “Maybe she should’ve kept her panties on.”
“Exactly! Thank you, Granny. See, Viv? It goes both ways. The bigger problem is you’ve had years to talk to me about this like an adult .
. . to ask me what happened, but instead, you held this grudge and never said a fucking word.
Not that my sex life is any of your business, but if you had asked me, I would’ve told you exactly what I told her. ”
I pause, pinching the bridge of my nose, and release a sigh. “You wanna know what I think? I think you ran with whatever you wanted to so you could carry on with this sibling rivalry thing you have going on.”
“That’s not true.”
“It is true. And just so you know . . . those boys you were picking out after you and Felix broke up were losers. I may have gone about it the wrong way, but everything I did was to protect you because you’re my little sister, and I love you.
I would never ever hurt you on purpose. But the shit you pulled with Aiden last year and with Hannah today?
That was intentional. You set out to hurt me.
So, guess who else I don’t trust now . .
. that’s right . . . you. Your name sits right there along with Allison’s. I hope it was worth it.”
“Y-you don’t mean that.” Her voice breaks.
Tears well in her eyes and spill over, trickling down her cheeks. She sniffs and rolls her lips together as her face crumples. “I-I um . . . I-I’ll just g-go.”
Fuck.
I can’t stand seeing her cry.
“Stop,” I say as she turns to leave.
I reach out, pulling her into my arms. “Come here.”
“I’m s-sorry,” she cries into my chest. “I didn’t c-come here to f-fight with you.”
“You’re always picking a fight with me,” I say, cradling her head. My arms tighten around her as her tears soak through my shirt. Guilt eats at me. I knew I was crossing a line when I slept with Ava, but I did it anyway. “I’m sorry I betrayed you.”
“I-I’m sorry. I t-took everything too f-far,” she heaves.
“I did too. I shouldn’t have compared you to Allison. I didn’t mean it.”
“What the hell is that?” Hannah gasps.
Releasing my sister, I look around. A matted, fluffy grey tail whips back and forth on the kitchen counter.
“Looks like a pussy to me,” Granny mutters as I move to pick up the kitten.
Hannah saunters over to me, and reaches out, running her fingers through the kitten’s thick, matted grey fur. “Oh, my god. You’re so damn ugly. That’s a face only a mother could love.”
“It’s a good thing you’re his mom then, isn’t that right, Chávez?” I scratch under his chin, the vibration of his purr fluttering against my fingertips as he lifts his head higher. “You’re a handsome little guy. Don’t let Mami fill your head with that bullshit.”
“You have to be joking,” she counters.
“I’m not. I couldn’t leave him out in the parking lot to die.”
“He wouldn’t have died. I can’t believe you brought that mange-ridden thing to your house,” Aiden says, bringing my attention back to him. He scratches the back of his neck and turns back to my sister. “So . . . uh. What brings you here? You just visiting or . . .”
“No. I came all this way to make things awkward for you.”
“Viv,” I snap.
“I’m kidding. Geez.” She rolls her eyes and plops down on the couch. “I have a few meetings tomorrow, one of which is with Bergdorf.”
As much as my mother wanted all her girls to pick up figure skating, the only ones who did were Sofia and Ashley.
Viviana, on the other hand, picked up a needle and thread.
I remember when she was little, Mom would drag Viv’s ass out of bed at 5am, kicking and screaming.
She wanted no part in it; neither did Isabella or Victoria, though they didn’t throw a bitch fit like Viv did.
“Whoa. That’s impressive,” Aiden says, brows raised. “Are you moving here?”
“Maybe.” She shrugs one shoulder. “If someone picks up my new line, I will. I’ve spent the past seven years working my ass off to make a name for myself all the way from Nevada.
It hasn’t been easy, but man, when I make it big, the hard work will be worth it.
I just need to get this distribution deal with a luxury retailer before I can move to New York. ”
“That’s bullshit and you know it,” I argue, shaking my head. “You don’t need that to move here. I’ll help you.”
“What part of making a name for myself do you not comprehend?” Her eyes cut to mine.
“I don’t want anyone’s money or connections.
In fact, I don’t want people to know who my parents or my brothers are.
I need to achieve something with my own merits.
I’ve spent my entire life receiving handouts because of who my family is.
No, I need to do this one hundred percent on my own. That includes no one paying my way.”
“I’m your brother. It’s my job to take care of you.”
“No the fuck it’s not. I’m an adult. I can take care of myself.”
Why does she have to be so damn hardheaded?
“Hannah!” Jade calls, bounding down the stairs. “There’s a spinning circle on the TV. The movie keeps starting and stopping. Can you fix it?”
“Instead of trying to throw your money at me, maybe you should invest in a better internet provider,” Viv says.
“We’re about to go home anyway,” Aiden tells Jade as he squats down. “Can you tell Hannah and Sean bye?”
“Bye,” she says, hugging Hannah, then she runs to me, holding up her arms.
I place Chávez on the ground and scoop her up. “Bye, mija.”
“Seany, are you gonna get the ringworms?”
“No princess.” I tap her nose and set her back on her feet. “Your dad’s just paranoid. Chávez doesn’t have ringworms.”
“You don’t know that,” Aiden argues.
“Um…” My sister cuts in, pointing to Jade and pinning Aiden with a hard look.
“Are you married? Oh my god, you’re totally married, aren’t you?” Covering her face, she mumbles, “Of course you would be.”
I really want her to stew over this; it would serve her right, but instead of letting her simmer in guilt, Aiden scoffs.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean? I don’t do relationships.
Period. But if I did have a wife, I sure as shit wouldn’t cheat on her.
Since when does someone have to be married to have a child? ”
“I just thought . . . You know what? My mistake. I clearly thought wrong. Sorry,” Viv says, then turns to hug me. “I’ve caused enough ruckus for one day.”
“You’re leaving already? You can stay here. I have plenty of room.”
“No. I already checked into the hotel close to Bergdorf. You know how I hate to get up early.” She releases me, strides to Hannah, and opens her arms, giving her a hug.
“I’m sorry again. It was really nice meeting you.
I’ll call you guys tomorrow, and maybe we can have lunch before I head back home. ”
“Don’t leave me out,” Granny says, shuffling to her feet.
“Sorry. God, I’m apologizing a lot. Ugh,” she says as she moves over to Granny, holding out a hand. “Sorry I didn’t introduce myself, but it was nice to meet you.”
Instead of shaking Viv’s hand, Granny pulls her in for a quick hug, then releases her and cups her cheek. “That’s okay, hun. Ya gave me a good show. And just so you know, that boy over there has a habit of breaking his wiener.”
“Granny! Would you stop with that shit?” Aiden chastises.
“Well, it’s true,” she argues back.
One after the other, everyone filters out of the house.
I stand at the front door, watching my sister’s taillights pass through my gate as Jade runs past me and stands at the back of Aiden’s SUV, waiting for him to unlock it.
With everyone finally out of the house, I swing the front door closed and lean against it, facing Hannah.
Without a word, she turns and heads toward the kitchen.
When I round the corner, her head is stuck in the fridge. She reaches in, pulling out fresh vegetables, then kicks the door closed and plops them on the counter. I press my chest against her back and wrap my arms around her. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“That’s a word no man likes to hear,” I counter.
We all know when a woman says she’s fine, she’s not.
“I'm okay.”
“Want me to order in?”
“Nope. I got it,” she says with a smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes.
She’s not okay. She seemed fine before everyone left, but now, something feels off.
The rest of the evening is filled with silence, and at dinner, Hannah sits there with her cheek propped on her fist, moving the food on her plate back and forth with her fork.
This has to be about Ava. I knew better than to talk that shit out with Viv in front of her.
I wipe my mouth with my napkin, then set it back on my lap. “What’s on your mind, Rebel?”
She’s either ignoring me, or she’s deep in thought.
“Hannah?”
Brows raised, her eyes lift and lock with mine. “Hmm?”
“Are you okay?” I ask.
“No. Not really. I need some fresh air away from here. I . . .” She trails off, shaking her head. “I need a rush.”
“Come on,” I say, pushing back from the table.
She tries to pick up her plate, but I stop her. “Leave it. I’ll take care of it when we get back.”
“What about Chávez? We probably shouldn’t leave him here alone.”
“See, Chávez? I knew you’d grow on her.” Sauntering over to Hannah, I pull her into my arms, tipping my head in the cat’s direction. “Look at him. He’s over there playing with his toys. He’ll be fine until we get back.”
“We should probably give him a bath.”
“Probably. We can do that when we get back, too. Come on. Let’s go.”