“I’m not one of the kids who you need to sort out,” he said.But his voice was weary.“And I’m not a project.Just…leave me alone.”
My back stiffened, and I raised my chin.“One thing my deceased husband found particularly annoying about me was my unwillingness to ‘mind him.’He told me often I had a nasty stubborn streak.Very unbecoming in a woman, which was why he sought out better specimens of femininity.”
Steve returned to staring out into the thick darkness, but his hands tightened further on the railing so each tendon stood at attention and his skin turned white.“That your way of telling me no?”
I nodded.
He grunted.“Your deceased husband was a sack of putrid garbage for blamingyouforhisfailings.”
I settled myself next to him with a soft bump of my arm against his.“You’re not wrong.But at least I got a beautiful daughter from that steaming pile of horseshit.”
He chuckled as he shook his head.“Seriously, Jasmine.I need some time.I’m not good company.”
“That’s all right.I don’t need good company.I’ve found I prefer silence from most people.”
We stayed like that, touching from shoulder to elbow, but nowhere else.The sound of utensils scraping on plates and Cash’s excited little voice sifted through the walls, mixing with the night sounds.
“My father beat the shit out of my mother,” Steve murmured into the dark.After a long pause where I couldn’t suck in a breath, he said.“He killed her.”
I tensed further but remained staring out into the dark, quiet.People always talked into the dark quiet.It held more confessions than all the Catholic churches and priests; I was sure.
“Just so you know, I tried to get him to take out his anger on me…” His voice held steady, but his arm shook as he squeezed the railing.
I breathed slow and deep before I said, “Guess that explains the burn marks on your shoulders and thighs.”
He turned toward me so quickly that I lost my balance.He caught me by my elbows, cupping them in his large palms.
“You knew?”he asked.
I tipped my head back and met his dark, angry gaze.“Isuspected.”After a brief hesitation, I said, “Though I had no idea just how horrible the reality would be.I figured you’d talk when you were ready.”
His face shuttered but there was so much feeling in his eyes.He yearned for a caring touch, even as he shied from it.When we’d been together that glorious night, I’d assumed I’d mistaken the emotion, projecting my wants onto his.
I lifted my shaking hand and cupped his cheek.My voice was soft but steady.“What was it you called Laurence?A pile of garbage?Seems fitting for the man who refused to father—and didn’t know how lucky he was to be one.Not to mention just what an amazing man you became, even if you are super-glued and duct taped back together.”
He barked out another laugh, but some of the tension eased from his muscles.I smiled back, easing my hand away and resettling beside him.
“You’re good at that, you know,” he said.
“At what?”I asked.
“Diffusing emotional situations.Making me take a step back to rethink what I thought I knew.”
“Maybe you wanted to see the situation from a different angle.”I said it lightly, but there was a reason I could smooth out volatile emotions.For years, I’d dealt with Laurence’s anger and frustration.I’d been the one to place myself between him and Cam more than once—once I knew about the abuse.Laurence never hurt me physically; he used his words and deeds for that, but with Cam…I closed my eyes and my heart stuttered.
Damn that man.Damn me for not realizing it.
We all have our demons.
Steve pulled me into his embrace, dropping his nose into the cradle of my shoulder and neck.“You’re such a strong woman, Jasmine.So strong.You not only pulled your family through what disintegrated mine, but you’re thriving.”
He shifted again so that our bodies aligned, flush from chest to toe.“I think this angle is my favorite,” he murmured.He kissed me, shifting his lips back and forth softly, and desire flooded my system.
The back door squeaked open, and, with great reluctance, I let Steve go as he backed away.Jenna stood there, lips pursed, assessing.“Cash wants his grandmama.”
Without another word or look, she turned and headed back through the kitchen.
“I’m sorry, Jasmine?—”
