Ethan insists on sitting next to Aurora, who’s beside the Viking. That leaves me on the other side of Ethan, the farthest from Reece’s parents.
Which is good, because I’m spiraling a bit, my mind drifting. Reece having a mother is stirring up something inside me. She’s alive and has no relationship with him. It’s gut-wrenching.
His father is intentionally intimidating. He didn’t shake Aurora’s hand, refused to even acknowledge her. He wore that uniform knowing what Reece has been through. It’s a slap in the face. He’s screaming, “Hey, look at me! I made it to retirement and you didn’t.” I bet he wasn’t whatever Reece was—a medic or special forces or some shit.
I understand now why it was natural for Reece to care for Aurora—he cares for his sisters. They parent each other. Harper chastises him, and he gives the girls the affection they don’t receive from their mother and father. Sadie is accepting, accommodating, and cheerful, probably the one who kept the peace in the family. Maryanne seems clueless, but I think it’s an act to avoid her husband’s wrath.
I’m assuming this based on a few minutes of interaction, but I hate them—well, maybe hate is too strong a word, but I dislike them very much. They should be hugging their son, fawning all over him. Reece may have tattoos and piercings, but he’s a hero, for fuck’s sake. He’s one of the good ones.
I lean into Ethan. “Do I have to be polite?”
“Yes.” He keeps his gaze forward. “For now.”
He smells delicious, and I want to lick him all over. I lay my hand on his thigh. He gives me a sidelong glance but doesn’t push me away. I move higher, and he snatches my wrist.
His lips twitch with amusement. “Stop it.”
Danny fusses, wanting food, but he refuses to eat the appetizers brought out. Aurora isn’t eating the crab cakes and stuffed mushrooms either. She dislikes slimy fungus and won’t risk eating seafood while pregnant. I end up devouring her portion, forgetting to wait for Mr. Abercrombie to say grace. I’m starving. I’m an athlete and a husband of two; I require a high-calorie intake.
Reece grabs a basket of rolls and places one on Aurora’s plate, another on his. He reaches out to his sister. “Harp, let me hold him so you can eat.”
“Where is Daniel?” his father asks Harper, his voice laced with exasperation.“Where is your husband?”
Mr. Abercrombie reminds me of those preachers you find on television at three a.m., red-faced and screaming about the Holy Ghost, spittle flying from his mouth. I had a coach like that once, and I couldn’t stop laughing whenever he became enraged.
Harper doesn’t answer. Instead, she glances at her brother across the table.
“Don’t look at him. Look at me when I’m talking to you.”
Tack on the word ‘boy,’ and Reece’s father sounds exactly like Kyle. I’m sure I’ve said something similar to Aurora. Sometimes,the bastard comes through my mouth. No wonder Reece hated me.
My brain trips, imagining what it might’ve been like to have a sister growing up with Kyle. I quickly push the thought away—nothing could’ve been worse.
I know Reece’s father isn’t Kyle, because the Viking would’ve killed him—burned him alive, that’s what I would’ve done if anyone touched my sister.
The pastor continues to badger Harper, just loud enough for our group to hear. “Don’t expect your brother to take care of you the way he did Sadie. He won’t have a job much longer with that metal in his face and thatnameon his head. Return home.”
Aurora lowers her gaze, her hand on her stomach, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Ethan places his arm around the back of her chair, and she peers over at him appreciatively, eyes glassy.
Reece bites the piercing in his lip and tugs the hoop. “I’ll make sure Harper has everything she needs. Leave her alone.”
“You’ve done enough,” his father mutters out of the corner of his mouth. He unfolds his napkin with a sharp snap and places it on his lap. “We drove several hours to be here. Your mother was so excited, and you show up with…”
Danny cries, drowning out his words, and my knee bounces. I clench my teeth to keep from saying something. Instead, I reach for my water and take a long swig.
“Daddy,” Sadie pleads. “Not tonight. Can we have dinner together for once?”
Daddy? Is that a Southern thing? Gross. I once heard Emily call Killian ‘Daddy,’ and I threw up a bit in my mouth.
Maryanne leans over the table, shielding Harper from her husband. “Harper had the most beautiful wedding at our church,” she tells Aurora. “I can’t wait for you to visit. We just started decorating the nursery. You’d love it.”
What is happening right now?Is she legit crazy? Aurora will not be visiting. She’s about to have a panic attack.
Ethan grips my leg to ease my agitation. “Go get Danny, please.”
Thank fuck. I push back my chair, the legs scraping the floor with how fast I move. “Hey, Danny the Dinosaur,” I call out to get his attention. “Wanna color?”
He reaches for me, and I lift him into my arms.
