Page 93 of Hold You Close
“Aunt London?”
Smart kid. “Yeah.”
“I figured,” he shrugs. “She couldn’t stop crying when she told us. I wanted to ask her to stay, but I think she wants this job.”
God, it’s like he’s inside my head. “Sometimes, Christopher, you have to let go of what you want more than anything because it’s the right thing to do.”
He nods as though he’s got a clue what I’m saying. “So you gave her up because you love her?”
Okay, maybe he does know what I’m saying. “I don’t love her.” So much for the no lying. “No, I do love her, but that doesn’t mean I’m good for her.”
I love her more than anything, I’m just not going to be the reason she gives things up. I want to be the one that brings things to her life.
“That’s the stupidest thing you’ve ever said,” Chris stands up and looks at me with disgust.
“Umm . . . wanna try that again?”
“You love her. She loves you. She’s crying nonstop and you’re in here pouting. I think you’re scared.”
“I think you should shut your mouth.” I get to my feet.
“Fine. If that’s what you want.” He shakes his head. “Maybe you’re right, Uncle Ian . . . you don’t deserve her.”
With that, he walks away and slams the door behind him.
I can’t even go after him, because he’s right.
Tossing the letter aside, I lie back again and fling one arm across my eyes. I can’t face hearing my sister’s voice right now. It will only make me feel worse, if that’s even possible.
I’ve never felt so fucking alone.
An hour later, I’m still lying there when I hear another knock on the door. “Yeah?”
“Can we come in?” It’s Christopher voice again.
“We?”
“Morgan and me.”
I frown. Great—just what I need, those two know-it-all’s coming in here to tell me I’m a coward or complain about London or bitch at me about how I’m doing everything wrong. “Go away.”
“No.” Morgan opens the door and strides in, stopping at the foot of the bed. She sticks her hands on her hips. “We want to talk to you.”
Christopher follows her in and stands by her side, arms folded over his chest, feet planted wide.
I sit up, scowling at them. “About what?”
Brother and sister exchange a glance. “Chris and I have been talking about you and Aunt London,” says Morgan.
“That’s none of your business,” I snap.
“We’ve been comparing notes,” she goes on, completely disregarding what I said.
“Yeah.” Christopher nods. “And we have some questions.”
“This is ridiculous.” I get off the bed and stand as tall as I can. “I don’t answer to you. You’re not the boss of me.”
“Maybe we should be.” Morgan’s eyes narrow, and it’s clear she’ll take no shit from me tonight. “Chris told me what you did. You broke things off so she’d take that job. You gave her up because you love her, just like you did after the prom.”
