Nineteen
Jude
I go visit Dominic at the mechanic shop. It’s either that or stay at the apartment and listen to Anastasia and Brigid talk last-minute wedding stuff. That, and I’m afraid if I hang around them long enough, they’ll rope me into something.
When I get to the shop, I find Dom in a muscle shirt, leaning over the engine of a Honda Odyssey that’s seen better days.
He glances up when I approach, squinting against the sun. “Had me that wrench on the toolbox,” he says by way of greeting.
When I do, he uses it to twist something in the engine with a grunt. I have no idea what he’s doing. I skipped out of school before I reached auto shop. I liked helping Dom work on cars when I was younger, until I saw Dad hit him with a wrench and break a bone in Dom’s upper arm.
“You okay?” Dom asks, not looking up at me. “Row said you got hit last night.”
“Yeah, it was nothing. You hit harder than that.”
Dom grins. “I should hope so. Your lip is barely swollen.”
I touch the sore spot with my fingertips. If Dom knew how I really got it, who really gave it to me, he’d have a heart attack. “What would you do if Dad ever came back?” The question is out of me before I can stop it.
Dom glances up. “Why’re you asking?”
I shrug because I don’t have a good enough answer. I’m guessing Rowan didn’t tell him about Grant being in the hotel parking lot the other day.
“I’d shoot him again,” Dom replies before ducking back under the hood of the Honda. “All he ever did was hurt people.”
It’s not like I can argue with that. But some days… Some days I wish it were Grant who’d died. And that’s such a horrible thing to think because Grant only ever hurt me. Dad hurt all of us, so it’s only fair that he’s the one who’s gone.
“Is something bothering you?” Dom asks. “Because you haven’t voluntarily spent time with me in a while.”
“Wedding planning is happening at the apartment.”
“Apartment? I thought you had a hotel room.”
“Oh, yeah.” I pause for a second before saying, “The manager was an ass. Anastasia invited me to stay with her and Rowan until the wedding.”
“You gotten soft on the road?” Dom asks. “The old Jude would’ve made that manager’s life hell.”
I smile despite myself. I was kind of a terror when I was younger. It was the curse of having parents who didn’t care and brothers who were busy trying to help you survive. But it was harder back then. I’m comfortable not answering to anyone now.
“I’m glad you’re getting along with Rowan again,” Dom says when I’m silent. “He was pretty upset when he found out you left like that.”
I still don’t speak. I’m not sure what to say to that. I feel bad for leaving the way I did, but I’m not sorry I left. I didn’t think Rowan would want to speak to me, let alone look at me when he got out of juvie. And even though my brothers had scared Grant off, I felt like he was just waiting until they turned their backs. Then he’d be on me again. Getting out of Brooklyn just felt safer for me.
“Well, don’t bowl me over with your words,” Dom says.
“You’re one to talk.”
He grins again. “Touché.”
I can’t help smiling in return. It’s been so long since I’ve talked to this Dom. The one who could have fun while still poking at me like an older brother.
“I like that Brigid gave you a sense of humor,” I say.
He flips me off without taking his eyes off the engine. “Get your ass in the driver’s seat and try to start this thing.”
I do what he says, and as soon as I turn the key in the ignition, the engine rumbles to life.
“Am I fucking awesome or what?” Dom asks, slamming the hood back down.
