First time for everything.
“I am. Very proud. But I thought you were going to try and be alone for a little while. Figure things out, like getting a job.”
Jennifer had shown up to lay claim to my father’s World Trade Center disability payment, bringing little Belinda with her. When I’d discovered I had a younger half sister, I shouldn’t have been as surprised as I was that she had attachment issues. Ten years younger, Belinda had spent her childhood watching our mother move from boyfriend to boyfriend. It was no wonder she’d ended up with a skewed vision of a healthy relationship. I tried to watch out for her, but it was hard enough looking after myself, going to school while my father grew weaker.
“I’m trying to find work, but it’s not easy.” Tears glittered in her eyes. “I answer ads every day. I just wanted to have a little fun, so I thought I’d join a dating app. This guy was nice—real nice. He didn’t try and get in my pants or anything. Just walked me home and gave me a kiss on the cheek.”
Unfortunately, she followed her mother’s tradition of falling for any man who’d pay attention to her, and at twenty-eight, with a slew of disreputable lovers, she was heading down that same failed road, unless big brother Bailey stepped in to save the day. Which meant filing orders of protection to make sure she was safe. Frustrated as I was, I understood her behavior.
Before Jennifer had returned to my father, there had been little to no stability for poor Belinda. Coupled with a mother who cared only about herself, it wasn’t hard to understand why Belinda searched for someone who’d give her the love and attention she’d craved and never had. She’d confided to me that she never knew who her father was—whenever she asked, Jennifer refused to tell her anything other than he was a bastard.
“And Jonas came right after?”
“Uh-huh. Calling me all kinds of names.” She tucked her hair behind her ears. “I know you’re probably sick of me, and I don’t blame you, but please don’t leave me, Bailey. You’re all I have.” Sobbing, she launched herself into my arms.
“Shh, I’m not going anywhere.” I stroked her back to calm her. “You know I love you. I just want you to be the strong woman I know you’re capable of being, and have healthy relationships.”
Belinda sniffled into my neck. “Is that even possible for us? You’ve never had a boyfriend, either. Are you dating anyone?”
I thought of Keston but immediately dismissed him. No matter how gorgeous or incredible he was as a lover, I refused to follow him around, hoping for a sliver of affection. Of one thing I was certain: Keston was not boyfriend material. “No. Nobody.”
Her laughter was muffled against my chest. “Our mother—and I use the term loosely—really did a number on us. You’re afraid to commit, and I fall for the same kind of jerk over and over.” Her wet laughter was anything but humorous. “We all need therapy.”
“No kidding,” I said lightly. “My doctor is a monthly expense.”
“What are you gonna do now?” Belinda wiped her eyes and went to the mirror to fix her makeup.
“First I’ll notify the police that Jonas violated his order of protection.”
Finished with repairing her face, she hugged me again. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, Bailey. Thanks.”
“Of course.” I couldn’t help but hold her tight. No matter what, she was all I had. “I’d better get going.”
Shifting her gaze from side to side, Belinda clasped and reclasped her hands, then bowed her head. “I, uh, hate to ask, but…”
I knew. “You’re short? How much do you need?”
Cheeks red, she bit her lip. “Whatever you can spare. It’s just that I wanted to look pretty for my date, so I got new makeup and had my hair and nails done…”
And spent the last of the money I’d given her for the month.
She tried and failed at so many jobs—sales clerk, receptionist, customer service representative. Every month brought a new career, when the reality was, I helped Belinda stay afloat.
“I’ll send it to your bank directly.” A few taps on my phone, and I gave her a reassuring smile. “All done.”
“I really am gonna try harder to get a job. I promise.” Belinda walked me to the door. “Did you see her today?” Her lips pursed as if she’d tasted something bitter.
“Yes. She was getting ready for a date.”
“Why do you bother? I bet she didn’t ask anything about you, or me. She’s only interested in herself.” She put a hand on my arm. “You’re keeping your promise to your father, aren’t you? You’re such a good person.”
I chucked her under the chin. “I’m the best, don’t you know?”
Belinda held me fast. “You are. And I want you to know that it’s true, not something I’m sayin’ just ’cause you’re my brother. You deserve a man who loves you with his whole heart. As much as you always tell me you want me to have a healthy relationship, I worry about you too.”
Surprised by her fierceness, I made my usual attempt to brush her off. “No need. I’m a big boy, and I can take care of myself.”
But Belinda was as stubborn as she was beautiful and wouldn’t let me go. “Everyone needs someone to lean on sometimes. It’s not a sign of weakness.”
