Roxy shrugged. “I don’t know. Two or three.”
He laughed. Dom had made it his business to tell every guy who’d sniffed around his little sister that if they didn’t treat her like a lady, he’d shove his size-thirteen boot up their ass. So far the threats seemed to be working out.
She wasn’t pregnant in high school like all of Trey’s sisters.
Where had that thought come from?
“So what are you doing home?” Roxy asked. “You have a fight with the new guy or something?”
“No, the band is fine. Just needed to be around you guys for a while.”
“Yeah, right, and here I can’t wait to get away.”
“Hey,” Mom said.
“You know what I mean.” Roxy nudged at Mom’s hip with her foot. “Like freedom from parents and stuff. On my own.”
Dom snorted. “Yeah, that’ll last until you realize cafeteria food and takeout is no match for Mom’s cooking.”
“She already promised to mail me cookies every week.”
“Then you’ll definitely put on the freshman fifteen.”
“Shut up.” She shoved him again.
He tickled her until she screeched and ran out of the room yelling for their dad to protect her from evil big brothers.
God, he’d missed his family. They were only a thirty-minute drive from his apartment in the city, but he didn’t visit nearly often enough.
Mom glanced at the open door, then leaned closer. “So when you were playing your violin onstage the other night, did it bring anything up? Emotionally, I mean.”
Dom knew what she was asking about without saying it. The whole family knew. “Not like I thought it would. I mean, I was super nervous, sure, but as soon as I walked out on that stage, it felt right. I know it took me a long time to get there, and the association might never go away. That’s all part of the recovery process, right?”
“Yes, it is.” She blinked hard, her eyes shiny. “I always hoped you’d play for people again. You’re magic with that violin.”
“Trey said something similar.”
“And he’s right. He has no idea how strong and special you are. And if he wants to stay mad at you, that’s his loss.”
“Yeah.” Easier said than believed.
“You hungry? I was going to throw some burgers on the grill for lunch.”
His stomach gave an appreciative rumble at the mention of food. “Definitely. Gonna jump in the shower first.”
She kissed his cheek. “See you downstairs.”
Dom rolled out of bed, still aching all over. He checked his phone, uninspired by the text from Lincoln, linking him to a review of last night’s performance. He’d read it later. Nothing from Trey, which didn’t surprise him.
He typed:I really want to talk to you.
Send.
I miss you.
He hesitated before sending that one. Trey might delete them, but he had to try.
He wasn’t ready to let Trey go.
