“I can’t go home, Nina,” he finally responded, tone shifting to business. That’s Vinny for you: solutions driven. “There’s this deal I need to close. If I could, I would.”
I huffed. “It’s always something with you, Vinny.” I gave a shaky exhale. “Just like your parents.”
“Don’t compare me tothem,” Vinny snarled.
Maybe the comparison was unfair, Vinny and I’d had our moments, hadn’t we? He’d get me extra food every time he went to restaurants, given me rides to and from school or work. There were even a couple of times that year he’d made me laugh so hard my ribs hurt. I didn’t doubt Vinny was different from his parents. Or maybe admitting I’d been all alone was too heavy to hold.
“We’re not getting anywhere. I can’t be around him.”
“I’ll tell you what,” Vinny said. It was almost like he was in front of me, straightening his shoulders as if I was a client hewas winning over.This should be good.“You stay with him for the next two and half weeks while I’m away. Give up your lease, all that crap. When I come back, you can stay with me and save money.” He was fueling his own fire. “I’ll even let you stay at my place alone, and I’ll stay with Linc. Hell, I’ll give you a deposit for a decent place.”
My chest tightened, panic clawing up my throat. Vinny was supposed to help me untangle this mess, not leave me stranded in it. I wanted to argue, and opened my mouth to spit the reasons why this was a horrible idea, but there was no point, he wouldn’t step up. I’d just have to carry Lincoln on my own. At least this time Vinny offered something.
The absence of no was all he needed.
“Thank you, Nins.” He let out a heavy breath. “Taking him to the hospital, keeping an eye on him, hell, living with him. It means a lot you’d take care of my friend.”
I shifted in the stool, uncomfortable with this unfamiliar appreciation from Vin. “So, I’m not such a lost cause after all, huh?” It was out of my mouth before I could stop it.
“Nins…” His voice sounded heavy with emotion.
“Hey, it’s?—”
When I lifted my eyes, Lincoln was in the doorway, wearing dark-wash jeans and a white T-shirt. His brow pinched and jaw set.
“Lincoln’s here,” I said.
“He is? Can I talk to him?”
“Hey, Lincoln.” His eyes pierced me with their intensity. “Vinny wants to talk to you.”
He nodded and stepped forward to grab the phone. As he took it from me, his hand fell on my shoulder and squeezed. It was just a quick touch. Meaningless to anyone who saw it, but I still had to fight the urge to move away.
When Lincoln spoke, his chest trembled with contained anger and his eyes darkened. “What did you do to make Nina feel like a lost cause, Vincent?” His tone and posture could freeze hell over. I’ve seen it countless times. This washim.He’d said sweet words and behaved like I was something to him, but the Lincoln who belittled my pain was just on the other side of his memories, waiting to surface. I’d gotten used to his callousness; I wouldn’t get used to his kindness.
I couldn’t make out Vinny’s muffled words. “Don’t give me that, Vin, I heard her.” My cousin’s response made Lincoln’s lips twitch—whatever Vin said didn’t land, but he was letting it go. “Just don’t treat me like I lost my senses too, alright? I see things.” The edge was still there, but his shoulders had relaxed. He told him he had an old man’s voice, making Vin laugh. Lincoln cupped his mouth and lowered his voice, making it impossible to catch what he said.
Linc nodded, then said, “My mom.”
He listened intently to Vinny, but his response was simple. “Yeah, it sucks but makes sense. Thanks, man.”
Lincoln passed the phone back, then effortlessly found a glass and filled it withcoldwater. What a missed opportunity.
“Is that okay?” Vinny pulled me away from my thoughts.
“Sure, sure,” I said, realizing I had spaced out.
“Really?” Vin clicked his tongue three times. As if it all was just pure entertainment for him. “Nins, I’m really thankful for this.”
I hung up on him. Linc sat on the barstool next to me. I couldn’t stand the way his eyes wouldn’t tear away from my face, so I stood to get breakfast ready.He didn’t need a warm breakfast every day, I thought while pulling cereal from the top of the fridge. After opening three different cabinets for a bowl, Lincoln caged me in and brought two down from a higher shelf.
“We don’t spend a lot of time here, do we?” His breath tickled the back of my neck, goosebumps rising on my skin.
I shook my head. Lincoln’s fingertips grazed my forearm. The gesture natural, no hesitation or tension. The feeling settled and my spine straightened. His kindness was temporary. It sprouted from his lack of memories. It’d end the moment he remembered.
Once I tapped his elbow, he made room for me to step away. When I looked back at him, bowl in hand, he was grabbing the counter, knuckles turning white.
“Nina,” Lincoln whispered. “Why aren’t there any pictures of us?” His voice was rough and tense.
