“Kendall’s right,” he said, his voice clear.“I’m not saying this was an easy situation, but we didn’t push when the school didn’t do anything.Blake quit football, didn’t do any other sports, and started partying.He’s never stopped.”
My mom tried to blink her tears away, but she abruptly gave in, dropping her face into her hands as her shoulders shook with sobs.The urge to comfort her was almost overwhelming, but Jude’s calm presence held me in place, in a healthy way.I needed this boundary.I couldn’t fix this for them.Trying to fix this for them certainly hadn’t helped my brother.
After a moment or two, my mom lifted her head and reached for a napkin to blow her nose.
My dad’s voice was gruff when he spoke.“We’re not sure what to do.”
“Well, what is it you wanted to talk to me about?”I finally asked.
“We were going to see if he could stay with you,” my mom said.
“Mom,no.I live in a studio apartment.I have a life!”I burst out.
“Blake actually has an apartment above your garage, so you don’t even have to deal with him in your house,” Jude pointed out, anger lacing his voice.
My mom’s mouth opened and closed before she cleared her throat.“Because we’re afraid he’s going to mess up again.He keeps leaving at night sometimes and?—”
“And what?”I cut in.“I literally cannot be my brother’s keeper.You think if he’s in a one-room apartment with me, he’s less likely to screw up?You can’t keep expecting me to fix everything.”I looked between my parents, almost in disbelief.Part of me was relieved they finally acknowledged what had gone so wrong so many years ago.“It became my job to be the parent while you guys just flaked out.”I waved a hand vaguely.“I love you, and I know you love me and Blake.But you don’t want to do the hard stuff.You want to do the easy part of parenting.If Blake ends up in jail, then that’s where he ends up.I can’t personally keep my brother sober.You can’t just keep flaking out.I don’t think it’s your job either, but don’t dump this on me.”I paused to take a breath.“I have to go.”I got up abruptly, and Jude stood with me.
“Kendall!”my mom called behind me.
I spun around, hurrying out.“I love you, but I’m not doing this anymore.”
I distantly heard Jude saying goodbye to my parents, and when my mom said, “Jude, I hope you understa?—”
He cut her off.“I love Kendall.What she’s asking you to do for Blake is what should have been done a long time ago.Maybe you can’t fix the way you handled that, but you could try to do better now.”
Travis leapt up from his nap in the back when I opened the passenger door, and I let him out briefly to run around.He quickly did his business, while my gaze arced up to the apartment above the garage, the windows dark.I could only pray that Blake wasn’t out partying again.
Jude stopped at my side as Travis circled his legs.“You ready to go home?”
“Yeah,” I said, my voice hushed and frayed.
The inside of his truck was quiet as we drove, and for once, I didn’t dwell on that conversation with my parents.I just felt relieved that I didn’t have to explain how I felt to Jude because I knew he already understood.
ChapterThirty-Seven
Jude
When I woke with Kendall in the morning, my awareness was hazy from sleep.At the feel of her, soft and warm beside me, my lips curled into a smile.I was gettingwaytoo comfortable falling asleep with her.
Last night had been emotional.Something about it felt raw, and my heart felt sliced open.And yet, Kendall held it with such care.
We went to Firehouse Café for coffee, and Janet smiled over at us, letting out a happy-sounding sigh.“Finally.”
“Finally what?”Kendall pressed.
Janet’s brows hitched up, her eyes warm, as a pink flush crested high on Kendall’s cheeks.“I’m just happy for you both,” she said simply.”
Although I knew Janet knew about us from my mom, this was the first time we’d been in here together since.We got coffee and sat down at a table.It was early, so the café wasn’t too busy yet.Those who arrived at this hour mostly wanted a little quiet and we were no exception.
“How you doing now after your talk with your parents last night?”I asked after a few sips of coffee.
Kendall met my gaze.She paused, considering my question.“Honestly, I was upset, but it felt good to get it all out there.”She shook her head slightly.“I still can’t believe, after my dad acknowledged how they basically didn’t fight to protect Blake in high school, that my mom still wanted me to have him come stay with me.”Kendall shook her head.“What the hell?Not to mention, nobody’s talking with Blake about it, as far as I can tell.I’m guessing they didn’t even ask him about it.There’s no way my brother wants to live with me in my tiny apartment,” she said dryly.“I think that would drive him to drink.”
Tilting my head to the side, I nodded.“Probably.I want to stay with you in your one-room studio, but…” Kendall’s cheeks tinged pink as I waggled my brows.“But I don’t think your brother does.Except maybe in a pinch.Have you heard from him?”
“He texted the other day, but that’s about it since the afternoon I picked him up at Fireweed Winery.He said he’s been doing okay.”
