Page 76 of Steele

“Stop,” I hissed.

“No. It’s bullshit. If he’s fuck—” He cracked his neck and took a breath. “If he’s with my sister, he doesn’t get to ignore you while he sits across from you having lunch with his side piece. Does he know what you’ve been through?”

“He’s not ignoring me, and I don’t know who he’s with but it’s not a side piece. He’s respecting my boundaries.” I had no doubt I was his only piece. I lowered my voice. “And yes, he knows everything. If you say anything to him or get involved, I’ll never forgive you. Please, can we just go?”

He tossed his napkin on the table and slid out of the booth. I scooted out, too. My gaze lingered for a moment on Brett and the woman. A small smile twisted Brett’s lips, then his gaze shifted to Ryan, and the smile was gone.

Ryan glared back at Brett and then protectively rested his hand on my lower back as he propelled me toward the exit.

I cast a quick glance over my shoulder before Brett’s booth slipped from my view. As I expected, his piercing gaze locked on mine. The impact of the intensity squeezed my chest and settled low in my belly. He had to know Ryan was my brother. He was the male version of me. Only taller, bigger, and he had facial hair. Okay, so maybe we didn’t look exactly alike. But Ryan was the only other man in my life.

Outside, Ryan walked me to my car. He leaned against the driver’s side back door and slid on his sunglasses. “What about tomorrow?”

I squinted into the afternoon sunshine. “Can you make an excuse for me?”

“Depends. Break it down for me. What’s really going on with you?”

“Nothing to get upset over. I just don’t want my personal life scrutinized. Not by you or Holly, or Mom and Dad. He’s a friend.”

“Has Holly met him?”

“No one has met him. We’re not at that point, yet.” I leaned up and kissed his cheek. “Please, don’t make a big issue out of this. Lowkey, I like him. But we both have complicated lives. Sunday works best for us to spend time together.”

“You’re choosing him over meatloaf and mashed potatoes? You’re choosing him over me? And you’re leaving me to pacify Mom?”

“Don’t be mad.” I smiled. “But yes.”

He held me tight. “Just be careful.”

“I am.” At least, I was trying to be after I’d stumbled a few times along the way. My brother was going to be overprotective. He’d trusted his best friend with his sister and then Jeff had betrayed me. If anyone had a reason to mistrust men, I did. But I trusted Brett. I didn’t know who the woman was, but I knew she had nothing to do with me. Brett wasn’t Jeff. If he’d wanted out, he would’ve already bounced.

“You can’t miss Sundays indefinitely,” he said.

I wouldn’t have to. Next week, Brett would be with Lili, and I’d be back to feeling alone with my grief.

Steele

My knee jostled under the table. Who the fuck was the asshole who had his hands on my old lady? Did he know who I was? The territorial glare he directed my way gave a pretty good indication he knew exactly who I was. And if he did, he should know to keep his hands off her. Two possible conclusions. He was protective, or was he competition? Maybe another teacher from her school. A friend she hadn’t mentioned. But then she hadn’t really talked about the other people in her life.

Fuck me, but I trusted her. She wouldn’t have let a random touch her. He had to be someone close to her. I still didn’t like it, but I wasn’t going to betray the trust she had in me. She hadn’t wanted us to be public, so I swallowed the jealousy, letting it burn like acid in my gut.

“We’re ready,” Regina said. “I received letters from Lili’s teacher. Also, a report from the Guardian ad Litem was filed with the judge. Natalie will be instructed not to talk to Lili about the interview. If she does, it will be considered contempt by the court.”

Pressure built in my gut. “Give me the worst case.”

“Worst case. The judge finds there’s sufficient evidence the order will become permanent. If that happens, we’ll immediately file an appeal. And if that happens,” she said with more emphasis, “you’ll need to begin to proactively show the court you’ve taken steps to change. Things like taking anger management classes, begin to see a therapist, and you can sign up for a twelve-step program. They have a free program at the community center.” She leaned across the table and put an edge of finality on her words. “But I don’t think it’s going to come to that.”

Worst case still meant I could fight for my daughter. Worst case didn’t mean I’d lose her forever.

The server set the bill on the table, and Regina grabbed it before I could. “My treat.”

I thanked her, and a few minutes later, I followed her out of the restaurant and walked her to her car. “I’ll see you Monday.”

Sitting in her car, she paused with her hand on the open driver’s door interior handle. “I know I don’t have to tell you this, but I want you to be prepared. Judge Steinert has been on the bench a long time. She’s fair but opinionated. No matter what she says, keep your expression neutral. Don’t look at Natalie. Don’t shake your head or offer any reaction to the evidence her attorney presents. I know it’s tempting, but don’t lie. I don’t care how egregious the act, if it’s true, you have to own it.”

I nodded. I didn’t like it, but I understood. I’d made mistakes. I could only hope they didn’t cost me my kid.

Regina pulled the door closed and waved as she drove away. I strode over to my bike, grabbed my cut from my saddlebag, and tugged it on. Then I sat on the bike without the engine running.