Page 161 of Ice Me Out

Snoh shrugged. “There’s nothing to say. Afterward, Dad tried making amends by covering everything he could for Vera, but gambling got the best of him. He just sold our family home right from under us to pay down his debt.”

I blinked repeatedly. “He did?”

“He called us all home on Monday for a family meeting and told us the house sold and we had 15 days to clear it out.”

No wonder Vera’s been off, and my earlier assumption about why Snoh had been so talkative was spot on.

“Man… I’m sorry. Really, I am.”

“I appreciate that, Hart,” he mumbled.

“How are you dealing with all this?”

He folded his arms over his chest and stared at the festive snowflake-covered coaster on the table. “Poorly. Half an hour ago, I was fighting my sister’s boyfriend in the streets.”

I chuckled, and he glared at me.

“It’s not funny,” I corrected once my laughter died down. “But the visual of you charging at me like a bull will stay with me for a long time.”

“It’ll be worse if you fuck my sister over.”

“I hear you,” I replied, allowing him to do his big brother thing.

He leaned forward, arms still crossed. “No, I don’t think you do.”

“Listen, Snoh. I can’t promise that Vera will always be happy with me. Sometimes relationships have highs and lows, but I can promise I’ll never disrespect her, embarrass her, or take her for granted. I love her.”

Snoh didn’t look convinced, but his eyes tracked to the gift bag resting in the seat beside me. “Is that for Vera?”

“It is.”

“Can I see it?”

“Um. Yeah. Sure.”

I handed the gift bag over and watched him fish the jewelry box out. He cracked open the velvet box and stared at the necklace. He grunted, snapped the lid closed, and returned it to the bag. He found the receipt and whistled.

“Damn. You must really like her.”

My gaze steadied on him.

“I don’t just like her. I love her. And I want a future with her.”

He snorted in disbelief and set the bag in front of me. “Did you love her before or after I told you about Obsydian Trip?”

“Fuck you, Snoh.”

“Fuck you, too, man.”

I ran a hand through my hair and blew out a ragged, frustrated breath. I was steadily losing my patience with Snoh. A part of me understood because I had brothers that I didn’t play about and would kill a motherfucker over, but I also felt he was dragging it.

“I can see it now. Vera turns 25, and suddenly, you’re ready to retire.”

I clenched my teeth.

“I ain’t got that many years left in me. I plan on finishing up my contract and walking away.”

“Bullshit,” he accused.