“You must have had more than two beers to get like that, Tara,” I chide. “Were you drinking alone? Did you do any drugs?” Her face turns thunderous and I hold my hands up. “I’m only asking because I need to know. It doesn’t matter what the answer is.”
“Yes, I was alone, and for the ten millionth fucking time today. No. No. And god damn mother fucking NO.” She rakes her hands through her unruly curls just like Denham does when he’s stressed.
“Okay, okay. I believe you. I just needed to ask.”
“You don’t know the full story, do you? He hasn’t told you, has he?”
“I beg your pardon?” I say, confused.
“You don’t know about me…my story.” She laughs, but it’s not because what she’s thinking is funny. “If you knew all about me and what a fucking loser I am, you wouldn’t believe a word I say. But it’s the truth. I’m telling the truth.”
She stands abruptly and stomps to the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind her. This is all a struggle. There’s too much going on today to process, and I have no idea how I’m going to make sense of it all.
I tap gently on the bathroom door. “Tara,” I probe softly, but there’s no response. “Please come out. I believe you, really, I do.”
“I’m peeing,” she grumbles which makes me snort with laughter.
“Well, then carry on…”
I stand with my shoulder leaned against the door frame, and it’s a minute before she opens up slowly. She sighs before she starts to speak. “I did a lot of stupid shit, Ari. After dad…And now I’m tarred with that brush and no one thinks I have my own mind.”
“Oh honey, I’m sure they do, it’s just because…”
“I know, I know. Because I’m the youngest. They all think I’m young and naive, and they all try to stop me from making mistakes. How am I supposed to live if I’m confined in bubble wrap and not allowed to find my own way?” She throws her hands to her sides in frustration.
“You know, if you’ve watched people do stupid shit in the past, and you worry about them doing it again, don’t you think that would make you a little more protective?”
She shrugs her shoulders like an errant teenager.
“Well, maybe it’s just going to take time.”
“It’s been three fucking years since he died, Ari.”
“I don’t mean time to heal fromthat. Time to realize that you are your own person. He only does it because he loves you. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see how much he adores you, your mom, and Spike. Besides, what has Denham given up for you?” I tilt my chin with a little defiance as I really want her to realize quite what my wonderful man has done for her since their dad died. I’m pretty sure it hit him just as hard as everyoneelse, but I don’t think he’s dealt with it. He hasn’t been given the chance to grieve, as he was thrown into running The Kingdom and keeping the family together.
“Denham?” she questions, screwing her nose up at my question.
“Yes. Denham. Your brother. Your big brother. The one that probably digs you out of the shit every time you get so deep in it you can’t see out.” She just frowns at me and as she thinks about it harder, I see her starting to realize where I’m coming from.
“He’s been nothing but the best, and I’m being a brat.” She drops her head and groans.
“He’s just doing what big brothers are supposed to do. He’s looking out for you guys. But, in Denham’s case, he’s looking out for the whole family, and running the family empire to honor your father’s name,” I say softly, not wanting to make her feel worse, just to clarify what she already knows but hadn’t acknowledged yet.
“Ugh. Has he gotten fed up of me and left yet?”
“No.” I wrap my arm around her shoulder and pull her into me. “Tara, he’s been here all day by your side. Right now he’s making us coffee.”
“So he’s not pissed at me?”
“No. Well, yes probably. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t love you. That’s why he does it. If he didn’t care, he wouldn’t yell at you, or worry about you, or stay by your side combing your hair.”
“He combed my hair?” she says quietly.
“Yes. I’m pretty sure he exceeded the strokes needed to make it shine.”
This comment makes her suck in a breath and her eyes start to glisten. “He’s the best, you know?”
“Yes. I know,” I reply with ease. Because he is the best.
