That’s what I thought, but something about his expression, his posture, gave me pause. In the next breath, a memory crystalized in my mind. I’d walked past the kitchen, his parents whispering, with their heads touching over the counter. Something about a house sale. Clearing debt. Life-changing.
Maybe Matt and Sarah had a little secret. Or maybe I’d misheard. But Vinny’s eyes avoided mine when I said, “I heard your parents talking about debt that they needed to clear.”
Vinny let out a humorless chuckle, eyes fixed on some stain on the carpet. “That there was so much debt, the house sale barely covered it?”
I leaned back, beer balanced loosely between my fingers. For a moment, I said nothing, and his ears turned red, arms crossed over his chest. “Why did she work so many hours in high school if she had money?”
Vinny shrugged. “Dude, that was all my parents.” He finally turned to me, eyes focused on my cheeks rather than my gaze. “Besides, she didn’t have much else to do.”
I nodded. “Yeah. She must be just as bad as her parents. Accruing debt left and right.”
Vin laughed softly, then scratched his chin and rubbed his eyes. “Nina? Now you’re just talking out of your ass.” He shook his head. “Let’s just forget it, yeah?”
“Yeah.” I sat down next to him on the couch.
He was right. Nina Reyes was nothing to me. No matter what happened to her parents’ money. He fidgeted through the entirebasketball game, his gaze wavered, pupils restless as he kept glancing at the door she’d left through.
“You’re quiet,” I said, tapping my bottle against my knee. “Still thinking about her? Regretting not saving the poor little stray?”
Vinny shrugged, eyes glued to the muted TV. “She’s family.”
I snorted. “She’s been a liability since high school.”
He shifted, the cushions squeaking under his weight. “She’s not bad, Linc. She just… does too much. People who try that hard burn out.”
I tilted my head, studying him with detached curiosity. “That’s your justification for not letting her drown? Pathetic.”
Vinny bristled but didn’t argue. He never did. That was the difference between us. He’d bend to avoid conflict; I’d burn the whole place down before I ever bent.
“Don’t look so fucking sad about it,” I said, standing to grab another beer from his fridge. I twisted the cap off with a pop, foam hissing. “She’s made choices to land herself here.”
When I turned back, Vinny’s gray-blue eyes were locked on me, narrowed. “You know? This bully façade of yours is getting old. That’s my cousin you’re talking about.”
I paused mid-sip, beer hovering near my lips. A flicker of amusement curled through me. “Since when do you care what I say to her?” My tone stayed light, but I clicked my tongue before adding, “After all, I couldn’t have done half the shit I did to her in high school without you. Feeling guilty now? Isn’t that… what, seven years too late?”
His brows pinched. It was quick, but I saw it.
“Look,” he said, exhaling sharply. “All I’m saying is… she got dealt a bad hand. And neither of us are helping.”
I watched him for a moment, reading the tension in his shoulders as they rolled slightly inward. Brows and mouth tightened, with wrinkles forming between his eyes.
Amusement stirred my belly. “You know? If you feel so bad, you could always help her.” I swayed to the right, bumping my shoulder into his. “It’s not like I’m going to stop being your friend. I’d only lose all my respect for you.”
Vin’s fingertips twitched around the bottle, shoulders rigid, features twisting ’til his eyes closed.
He stood abruptly. “Shut up, Lincoln. I’m tired and gotta pack for my trip. We’ll catch up in three weeks when I return. You can see yourself out, right?”
He retreated into his bedroom without another word. I stood, feeling the urge to follow him and ease the tension between us. I wouldn’t argue with him anymore. Vinny was my only true friend.
One thing was clear though. In her desperation, Nina Reyes was growing claws. That could be a disaster, thanks to Natasha. So I’d make sure she stayed right where she belonged.
The next morning,I slid into the strategy room, coffee in one hand, briefing folder in the other. Carmen was already at the head of the table, heels kicked off under her chair, one leg curled beneath her. Natasha sat midway down the other side, tapping at her phone. She patted the seat next to her without looking up.
“Morning, Lincoln,” she mumbled.
“Morning. What’s on the hero’s docket today?” I asked, bored as I leaned back in my seat.
Carmen scrolled through her slides. “Infinity Weddings wants us to build out their micro-influencer strategy for next quarter. We also need to address some of these local accounts.”
