“Martin,” Mom said in a small voice. “He knows that already.”
Dad had been asking me for the last two weeks about the application process. Normally he didn’t ride any of us about what we had to do, but with only me in college, he seemed to be particularly interested in making sure I graduated and got into Harvard Law. He’d wanted all of us to get a degree, but Kody, Kross, and Kade had other interests, at least for now.
I took a bite of lasagna, the spices exploding on my tongue. After I finished chewing, I said, “I have the packet ready to submit this fall. The only thing missing is the summer job.” I’d interned at a small law firm in Boston last summer. But my father and I figured a larger and more influential law firm, like Davenport, would seal my application.
“How’s the club going?” Dad asked Kade.
“Busy,” Kade said in between bites.
Lacey wiped her mouth. “Speaking of the club. I meant to ask you.” She glanced at Kade. “I overheard some guy talking to you last night. Who’s Lizzie Reardon?”
My mother dropped her fork, the sound booming louder than a detonated bomb against her plate. My dad all but choked. Kade froze with a dinner roll halfway to his mouth. Kross stopped chewing. Kody kicked me hard underneath the table.
Motherfucker.
My pulse went from fifty beats per minute to a thousand in Mach time. I tried to swallow the large chunk of cheese that was lodged in my throat, but it wouldn’t move.
Lacey’s face began to resemble my father’s, whiter than the snow falling outside. Before I could move or say anything, my mom rose gracefully and left the room.
“Don’t anyone move,” Dad ordered in a lethal tone that I hadn’t heard in years, before he chased after my mom. The last time he was this pissed was right after Kody and Kross had beaten Greg Sullivan, Kade’s nemesis, into a coma.
“I’m sorry. Did I say something wrong?” Lacey set down her fork.
“You’re still not sharing things with your girl?” I asked Kade through clenched teeth. Damn brother always seemed to keep things from Lacey. Which always got him into trouble.
“Until you walk in my shoes, shut the fuck up,” Kade barked.
I hoped to never walk in his shoes. He worried constantly. He frequently got migraines. He was protective as hell. I swore he would develop an ulcer before he hit twenty-five.
Kody sat back in his chair. “Is Lizzie Reardon in Boston?” His voice hitched.
“Yes,” I said. “You were practicing on your guitar when our brothers were about to cut off my nuts earlier.”
“Would someone tell me what’s going on?” Lacey demanded. She was worrying her bottom lip.
“Lizzie Reardon is the sister to the girl who shot Karen.” Kross glared at me.
“And the girl who broke Kelton’s heart at thirteen,” Kody added.
“What!” Lacey slapped Kade on the arm. “Why didn’t you tell me?” She covered her mouth with her hand. “Oh my God! Your mom? I should go apologize.” Lacey started to stand.
Kade grabbed her wrist. “Let my father handle this.” The color drained from his face.
Years of healing had probably just gone down the drain. But I prayed it hadn’t. No sooner than we’d had a chance to process what was happening, my dad entered, scratching his chin, trying to hold in the anger that was evident by the hard look he nailed on all of us.
“Everyone out except Kelton. And Kade, please sit with your mother.” His voice was taut. “She’s in her bedroom.”
They scrambled to their feet and left.
Silence filled every nook and cranny in the dining room as my old man began to pace across from me. I thought of many things to say but none that would ease the rage flowing through him. He had to calm down first before he would even listen.
“Is Mom okay?” I held my breath.
He heaved a loud sigh, sat down, put his face in his hands then ran them through his graying brown hair. As he lifted his head, his body slumped, and he blew out all the air in his lungs. “I don’t know. But three years, and all could be lost with one question.” His voice wobbled. “Now, tell me what the fuck is going on? Are you seeing Lizzie?”
“No, sir. I did, however, talk to her.” No way was I lying to my old man.
“Do you plan on seeing her?” He stuck out his chin.
My father and I hardly talked about women, although he’d asked me recently if I was serious about Chloe. I told him I wasn’t in love with her and she didn’t do it for me. He’d said I would know when the right one came along. In the meantime, he counseled me to be honest with Chloe. I shared with him that I’d been upfront with her from the very beginning.
“Why does everyone think that I would fall for Lizzie again?”
“You’re avoiding the question, son.”