“It’s so weird having to call and ask you to come and see me.”
The vehicular traffic forced him to raise his voice.“Is that what you’re doing now?”
She exhaled loudly.“Have you always been this difficult?”
Only since you made my life hell.Another thing he couldn’t say.Instead, he deflected.“D’you need something in particular?”
“Yes.Come for dinner.”
Knowing Mother, she’d spend the evening interrogating him.
“Please come, Mari.”
Her childhood name for him was unexpected and softened his heart.His mouth opened, and he was stumped for a response.
Chapter 10
Shomarifeltlikeastray puppy Lizette had picked up off the street and brought home.He was uncomfortable, but couldn’t leave.Instead, he focused on the laptop screen while Mrs.Winter moved between the dining room and where he sat.
She’d guided him to the patio while she put the finishing touches on dinner, but the tension in his neck and back made him want to abandon the file he was reading.
Earlier in the afternoon, Zack messaged him to say they’d be back on the island this afternoon and wanted him to come to their parents’ place for dinner.
Lizette will give you a ride, Zack had texted, which made Shomari feel all kinds of inadequate.He’d hoped she would forget to mention it, but no such luck.At lunch time, she told him about the get-together, warning that Zack would have his head if he didn’t show.
“Make sure you stick around,” she said, close to the end of the workday.
That sealed his fate because he hadn’t declined when Zack first asked.The ride over had been easy, with him relating stories from his time with the children.But since arriving at her parents’ home, he’d been uneasy and hoped he wouldn’t ruin the atmosphere with his awkwardness.How ironic it was that he’d declined his mother’s invitation to eat with her earlier in the week, but here he was, still uncomfortable but willing to do the same with another family.
Mrs.Winters set a glass of water next to his elbow and gave him a warm smile.“I’d offer you something else, but I don’t believe in spoiling dinner.”
“Thanks,” he said, lifting the glass for a drink.
“She’s serious about it, too.”Lizette stepped onto the patio and sat across from him.“In a few minutes, she’ll ask you to shut down that computer.”
“That’s right.”
The sound of laughter came from inside the house while Mrs.Winters laid the placemats on the table.“That sounds like Elijah and Zachary.”
The warmth in her voice and the anticipation in her dark-brown eyes were like a stab to the heart.As far as Shomari knew, Mother had never been that happy to see him.Ever.Well, not since their family unit fractured years ago.
His sister could do no wrong, but Shomari had inherited all the mistakes his father ever made.At least, that's the way things looked to him and how he felt.His thoughts went on hold when his friends stepped through the sliding door.Their father walked out behind them, his smile wide, like someone who’d won a prize.
After squeezing their mother in a tight hug and placing a kiss on either cheek, Eli and Zack gave him a man hug.
“Good to see you,” both twins said at the same time.
“Thanks for inviting me.”
Zack flicked his wrist in a dismissive wave.“Don’t say a word.We wanted you here.”
“Plus, we didn’t know if there was any food at the house, so it was safe to meet you here first.”
Laughing, Shomari said, “Not to worry, I did some shopping.”
Mrs.Winters came around the table to stand next to him.“Shomari, if you’d move that computer …”
“Sure,” he said, handing it to Lizette, who reached for the hot-pink laptop.
