Page 179 of Darling Venom
Jab.
“Those were her decisions to make.”
“The fire—”
“Was started by cigarettes she left out before she snuck out of her home past curfew.”
“I’m not looking to blame her.”
“No.” I stalked forward, caging her against the island so she had no choice but to be surrounded by me and my words. Consumed. “You’re looking to blame yourself. Newsflash, Charlie, it hel
ps no one. Least of all her.”
“I’ve tried everything. I’ve extended an olive branch again and again and again. The whole goddamn tree. She doesn’t budge.”
“Then extend another fucking olive tree. Hate to break it to you, but it won’t kill you.” I backed off, physically at least, edging my foot toward the row of cabinets behind me.
It occurred to me how fiercely wrong I was to broach this subject.
How hypocritical it made me.
How fragile she was when it came to her sister.
I softened my voice. “Make up with Leah. I don’t care how or what you have to do for it to happen or who has to reach out first. I will die with my shitty relationship with my brother as my biggest regret. You have the chance to salvage yours.”
She averted her eyes, crossing her arms. “That’s rich coming from you.” Our gazes locked. “Ever consider reconciling with Terry? He’s been sober for months, Tate.”
“He lives in my home,” I said as if it were enough.
And it was.
Too much, actually.
“Wow. How generous of you.” She did a slow clap, golf-style. “You should be canonized into the sainthood.”
“Difference is, Terry is a useless piece of shit.”
“He’s your dad.”
“That’s a cop-out. There are some people you don’t need in your life. There are things no one should ever have to put up with. Haven’t you been on a plane?”
“Yes. What does that have to do with this?”
“And you’ve heard the safety spiel?”
“Of course.”
“Then you know how it goes. You’re supposed to put the oxygen mask on yourself before you help the passenger sitting next to you. It’s okay to choose yourself first. In fact, you should. Remember that, Charlie. Let it sink inside that stubborn skull of yours.”
She threw both hands up, switching topics. “I sent Kellan’s book to an editor. A big one. One of the biggest in the country.”
I drew in a breath. “And?”
“And she loved it.” Charlie gnawed at her lip, dipping her chin into her chest. “She also gave me feedback. I went through the notes and tried to fix the things that need fixing, but… I’m having trouble. I can pinpoint issues better than I can fix them. I’m not a writer. I’m beyond my depths. I think… I think I need Terry’s help with this. Would he agree to it?”
“Don’t bother.”
“He’s the only one who can do this.”
