As soon as I’m in the elevator, my phone buzzes, and I pull it out, almost hoping for a text from Max. But it’s Dominic.
Coffee?
I sigh and debate the pros of cons of going for coffee with him. Pros: Coffee. Cons: Dominic.
Ugh.
Fine. Where?
He gives me the address of a shop we used to go and do homework at when Dad was in one of his really bad rages. Rowan and I got to know that place really well.
I hesitate a second, trying to work up the nerve to go to that place. Everything about being in the city has been so hard, but maybe I should do something to make it a little easier. But is that pathetic? If Grant had hurt Dom, he’d probably already be over it.
A second text comes in from Dominic.
Or we can go to the new place down the road from Max’s bar.
My knees feel weak with relief.
Sounds good. Be there in ten.
The elevator dings, and I step off it, then out into the sunlight. The scent of garbage still hangs heavy in the air, but there’s also that morning smell that reminds me of dew. I always loved mornings, especially on weekdays. It meant eight hours in school without Dad around.
I make it to the coffee shop with a few minutes to spare, but Dom is already there, sitting at a table tucked into the back corner.
I stop to order, then head over to him.
He lays his phone facedown when I reach him. “Hey. Thanks for coming.”
“Well, it was a really welcoming invitation.”
He rolls his eyes, but a smile pulls the side of his mouth up. Then he sobers quickly. “Listen, I’m sorry about last night. I shouldn’t have snapped at you. Anastasia was right.”
“I should have you say that again while I’ve got a recording going. She’d like to hear that.”
He flips me off.
I clear my throat as the waiter comes with my coffee and sets it delicately in front of me before offering me a sly smile and a wink.
Dominic watches him walk off before turning back to me with a raised eyebrow. “Friend of yours?”
“No.” I grab a stirrer and run it through the cup before taking a breath and facing Dom. “I’m sorry about running away like that when we were kids. You were right; that was shitty, and I shouldn’t have done it. But I don’t want to talk about it, so you’re just going to have to deal with that.”
He doesn’t look pleased, but he also doesn’t argue. I know Rowan could tell him what I said last night, but I doubt he will. Rowan’s not like that.
“Rowan and I talked about it last night outside after your temper tantrum, and everything’s cool. So let’s just stop discussing it, okay?”
The urge to argue flashes in his eyes, but he seems to smother it. “All right. If that’s what you want. I’ll try.”
I’d prefer a vow that he’ll never do it again, but I’ll take what I can get.
“I’m glad you’re here,” Dom says, surprising me. “I’ve missed you.”
“You too.” I can take care of myself, and I have been for a long time. But there are some days when I miss my brothers so bad that it’s like a physical ache. No matter what was going on, I always knew I could count on them. Dom saved me from Dad more times than I can count. And then Rowan stopped Grant. I feel like I owe them everything.
And I wish I could put that into words.
***
