Chapter 33 – Alexis
33
Thanks For the Warning
Alexis
“YOU LOOK LIKE you’re about to throw up.” I squeeze Gavin’s hand with mine. “It’s going to be fine. I promise.”
“I like how optimistic you are, but your brother throws a mean right hook, and I don’t know that I want to be on the receiving end of it.”
“I’ll protect you.” I practically drag Gavin up the front steps to my parents’ house. “But I’m pretty sure he has more pressing things to worry about than us.”
I hate how true it is. Of all the fucked-up things, Leo ended up being charged with assault over the whole incident outside my apartment. His lawyer says it will probably be dismissed, but still. It’s bullshit since he was just protecting me.
Mostly.
Gavin scans the driveway and the street. “I’m actually surprised he and Maddie aren’t already here.”
“I’m sure they’ll be here any second.” Leo isn’t usually late, but, it’s not surprising he would be. Especially since my parents invited us all over to stage some sort of an intervention. Yet another reason I don’t think Leo is going to be that concerned when he finds out about me and Gavin.
My mom opens the door as we reach the porch. Her smile is lukewarm at best, but I’m gonna chalk that up to all the shit that’s been happening. Her eyes settle on my hand in Gavin’s, one blonde brow slowly angling. “Well, this is an interesting development.”
Gavin tenses beside me, likely bracing for my mother’s disapproval. When her forced smile turns genuine and she reaches up to pat his cheek, I can see all the worry bleed from his body.
“Are you sure you want to do this, Gavin?” She tips her head my way, widening her eyes. “Alexis can be kind of a handful.”
I don’t think my mother could have said anything more perfect. I’m going to have to thank her for it later.
Even if it is a little insulting.
“That is actually a big part of the appeal.” Gavin pulls me closer, wrapping one heavy arm around my shoulders to tuck me into his side. “She keeps me on my toes.”
I roll my eyes, because I do no such thing. I’m as boring as it gets. Luckily, Gavin seems to like being boring. I’d always assumed he was just as outgoing and social as my parents and Leo, but I’m starting to think that was just something for him to hide behind. A way to avoid the kind of connections that terrified him.
“Well, if anyone can handle your crazy schedule, it’s Alexis.” My mom lowers her voice, leaning close to Gavin like I can’t hear what she’s about to say. “She’ll have your whole life organized before you even know what hit you.”
Gavin lowers his own voice conspiratorially. “I’m banking on it.”
“Ugh.” I wiggle out from under his arm and step past my mom into the house. “You two keep having your weirdo conversation. I need some fucking coffee and a scone.”
Gavin chuckles behind me, unbothered by my little show of attitude, and I smile as I walk away. Right up until I see my dad’s scowling face.
I walk over to where he sits at the kitchen island, likely waiting for my brother’s arrival, and lean in to press a kiss on his cheek. “Hey, Dad.”
His hard expression softens. “Hey, honey. How are you?”
“She’s dating Gavin,” my mother answers for me, and I’m not surprised. There’s a good chance everyone we know will get a phone call before the day’s over.
I warned Gavin that was going to happen, but he claims he’s fine with it. The strange thing is, so am I. Normally, my mom’s love of telling everyone everything she knows drives me crazy, but I don’t mind who finds out Gavin belongs to me. She can shout it from the fucking rooftops if she wants.
My dad looks Gavin over as he follows my mom into the kitchen. His gaze is assessing and, honestly, a little unnerving. But then he says, “About damn time. You two have been dancing around this thing for years.”
My mouth drops open. “What?”
Mom snorts. “You think we didn’t notice you guys flirting all the time?”
My gaze swings to Gavin. “We weren’t flirting.”
He shrugs. “Maybe you weren’t.”
“At least one of my kids is making good choices.” My dad scrubs one big hand over his face before downing half of his coffee. “Leo decided it wasn’t enough to ruin Maddie’s life, now he’s decided to ruin his own too.”
I take a deep breath. I knew this was coming, and I’ve been preparing for it. “Are you telling me you wouldn’t have done the same thing if Mom had been coming out of a shitty marriage when you met?”
I’ve tried to stay out of this because I was worried I would make things worse. Now, it’s clear things can’t get any worse, so I might as well try.
After spending time with Maddie, I one hundred percent see why Leo adores her. I also understand why he’s willing to do whatever it takes to protect her from her crazy-ass ex-husband.
My dad narrows his eyes as they slide from my mom to me. “I would have done what I needed to keep your mother safe, and if that meant leaving her alone, that’s what would’ve happened.”
“But how do you know leaving her alone would have kept her safe?” I look between my parents, meeting both of their gazes. “You haven’t seen how her ex is. I have.” My stomach twists at the memory of the look in his eyes. “And I’m not sure Maddie would be any safer without Leo in her life.” I pause, thinking it over. “Actually, Leo probably gives him someone else to hate, so she’s probably better off.”
“Not anymore.”
I spin at the sound of my brother’s voice, taking a step back at his disheveled state.
Leo looks like shit. Not even warm shit. He looks like lukewarm shit that’s been left out in the rain overnight.
“Maddie dumped me last night, so everybody can fucking celebrate. You got what you wanted.” Leo moves to the island, snatching a scone off the countertop and biting it in half before continuing. “She said she wasn’t going to let me destroy my life, and then she blocked me.” He makes a sweeping motion with his arms. “So, congratulations. You win.”
I’m stunned.
But also, not.
I learned a lot about Maddie while she and I hung out, and one of the biggest realizations was that she genuinely cares about my brother. Deeply. Apparently deep enough that she wants to protect him as much as he wants to protect her.
“Oh, honey.” My mom goes to give Leo a hug, but he steps out of her attempted embrace. “Don’t.” He shakes his head. “Don’t act like you’re sorry, because I know you’re not.” He backs away. “I’m not staying. I just came to give you the good fucking news.”
Leo storms out, and I follow right behind him, chasing him down the steps. “Leo, wait.”
He stops so quickly, I nearly collide with his back, feet skidding across the sidewalk as he spins to face me.
“If you’re here to apologize, you don’t have to.” His eyes flick toward our parents’ house. “I wasn’t talking to you in there.”
“Maddie loves you, Leo.” The words jump right out of my lips. “She didn’t say it, but I could tell.”
His brows lift. “You’re an expert on love now because you fucking love Gavin?” There’s an edge to his voice that makes me cringe.
“Kinda?” I don’t know what the right answer is, but I feel like admitting I am madly in love with someone who is also madly in love with me would be rubbing salt into a wound. Especially since no one is trying to kill either of us.
I don’t have to turn around to know Gavin steps in behind me. I can tell by the look on Leo’s face. It’s not anger or disappointment tightening his already tense expression. Instead, he almost looks…
Jealous.
And doesn’t that fucking break my heart.
He holds Gavin’s gaze for a few seconds before turning back to me. “Do me a favor and take care of Maddie.” He drags one hand through his already messy hair. “She really likes you, and she needs all the support she can get.”
“I really like her.” And finding out she’s willing to sacrifice her own happiness to protect my brother only makes me like her more. Makes me more determined to find my inner Babs so I can shred her lunatic of an ex-husband the next time our paths cross.
And I have a feeling they will be crossing.
I manage a little smile, hoping to ease some of Leo’s worry. “If it makes you feel any better, she’s pretty much stuck with me and my friends forever.”
I’m shocked when he offers a flicker of a smile back. “That does make me feel better, actually.” Leo takes a breath so deep it lifts his shoulders before turning to Gavin. “I’m still probably gonna kick your ass for fucking my sister.”
To my surprise, Gavin grins. “Understood.”
I watch as Leo goes to his car and drives away, then I look at the man beside me. “Why did you look so happy when Leo said he was going to kick your ass?”
“Because,” Gavin hooks an arm at my waist, pulling me close, “if he was actually mad, he wouldn’t have warned me.”