“Come here, boy.” He’s all southern charm and harm. He pulls me in. “You ever get tired of working on that mountain, come right back. I’ve got a desk opening up in about five minutes.” He walks us over to Abel’s office to find my brother staring numbly at the stapler in his hand.
“What the hell?” I step in and try to figure out what that box on his desk means.
My father is a rough ride of a man, a hardline bastard from another era, but I can’t imagine him canning my brother. Especially not after all the pomp and circumstance that went into making him partner. A ten thousand dollar gala was held in his honor. It was dripping with crass sensibilities, the very thing my father’s new wife, Cookie, specializes in.
“I think I just need a break.” He stands and nods at Kennedy. “You guys okay?”
“We’re fine.” Kennedy eyes the stack of personal effects amassing at the foot of his desk. “So what’s next for you?”
“I’m taking a little time off—maybe hitting the keyboard again, seeing if anything decent comes out.”
“You ready to pen the great American novel?” A part of me is cheering him on. After all, I chased my dream, and here I am with Kennedy by my side, my new reality. I think everyone should get a shot at what they really want in this world—especially if he’s my brother.
“That’s exactly what I’m going to do. I’m headed up to the boathouse. I talked to Uncle Warren—he says it’s mine as long as I need it. I think I need it.” He gives a wearied look out the window. “I think I’ve needed it for some time. This was never me. I was just trying to fit into something that both you and Dad seemed so passionate about. I think I’ll explore my own passions for a while.”
“I guess we’ll see you at the top of the hill.” I offer to shake his hand, and he pulls me in, pats my back. It feels good. For so long Abel and I were on a disconnect. Maybe his trip to Loveless will do us both some good.
“I’ll need some time to tie up a few loose ends, but I’ll knock on your door when I get there.”
Kennedy and I step out of his office, and it feels as if a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Slowly, carefully the nails are popping out of the McCarthy casket, and one by one we’re coming back to life as a family.
Kennedy and I speak with my father about taking on the Williamsburg case, and he reluctantly agrees to take a look at it.
“I wouldn’t have done it for you.” My father says it to me without a smile before turning to Kennedy. “But I’ll do it foryouall day long.” He offers a kindhearted pat to the back. “You did something right when you found this one, son.”
At last, a shred of praise from my father that actually manages to warm my heart.
He leans to Ken. “You sure you want this, sweetheart?”
“I do. I believe everyone should be given a second chance.” She gives my hand a squeeze as we head on out.
We take off into the brisk air, the country pines looming over us like guardians.
“I’m glad you gave us a second chance.” I warm the words into her ear.
“I’m glad you did, too.”
Acoupleof blissful weeks drift by. Reese insists on throwing Kennedy and me a party for no good reason, so I give her one—a very good reason. I orchestrate a wild surprise for the woman that surprises me in new ways every day. It’s no easy feat, and if the weather decides not to cooperate, I’m mostly fucked.
“Reesie!” Kennedy holds her arms open wide as she gives her stepsister a hug.
Reese has her father’s house lit up with a thousand twinkle lights. Everyone is home for winter break, so the mood feels festive. Reese has opted for an intimate gathering, and for that I’m glad. Their parents are out of town, so we have the entire oversized cabin to ourselves. Demi and Gavin are here along with Zoey in her hot to trot, cut down to there, hiked up to here dress. Gavin looks mystified by his sister’s choice of accouterments or lack thereof in the dead of winter. I’m guessing he wishes he could instate a dress code for her, too. Warren and Keith both show up along with a couple of girls Brylee invited, Charlie being one of them. Neva and her eternally dark presence actually sheds a smile at something Warren says to her. It’s a good-natured crowd. It feels like comfortable shoes as if I’ve always belonged here, always been a part of this, and, in a small way, I have. A part of me wishes Abel were already in Loveless, but he won’t make it up until well after the New Year. I’m feeling serendipitous, and having at least one of my brothers around would have been nice. Solomon is back at home with my mother for the time being, so, at least, I sleep better knowing she’s not alone.
Reese has set up quite the spread, but my eyes and stomach gravitate to the rib eye begging to be ingested. She and Ace hit the barbeque themselves. We eat amazing food, drink expensive wine, and enjoy the company of good friends.
Kennedy relaxes into me as soft conversation buzzes all around us. It’s nice, peaceful.
“This night couldn’t get any better,” she purrs, and I glance to Reese for a moment.
It’s supposed to get better—a lot better in a life-changing sort of way. And, in about five minutes, I’m hoping she’ll think so too. Reese and Ace are the only two in on my plan.
“How about we play a game?” Reese claps us all to attention. “Truth or dare?”
Kennedy groans beneath me. “Gee, a bunch of young people in a cabin on the lake playing a game of truth or dare? Sounds like the perfect setup for a horror movie. That kind of talk practically forces a psychopath to hunt us down with a chainsaw.”
A horrible boom goes off outside, and I cringe at the timing.
Kennedy jumps in my arms. Her heart thumps like a motor.
