“Sorry,” she said.
“No apologies necessary,” he replied.
“We’re usually not loud or crazy,” Liane told him.
“No, that is completely wrong,” Hellen enunciated every wordcarefully.“We’re always loudandcrazy when Elijah rears his head.Fortunately, he doesn’t do that very often.”
“He’s our brother, H, stop it,” Liane hissed.
“I’m tired of biting my tongue when that asshole fucks shitup.And he’s not my brother, Liane.Not once has he treated me like he was mybrother, or you like he was yours.He acts like Mom did him some grievous harmand us like we stole the family silver.I’m sick to death of it.”
Liane’s voice got quiet when she said, “Girl, cool it.Momwould toe-tah-leefreakif she heard youcuss like that, especially in front of company.”
Hellen turned to him.“Am I offending you?”
“Nope,” Jagger answered.
Hellen threw a hand his way.“See?”
“How would you offend Jagger?”Haley was back in the mix,walking into the room.
“No reason!”Liane lied brightly.
“I’m sharing it like it is about Elijah,” Hellen told thetruth.
“Shh,” Liane shushed her sister.
This was because Archie and Andy were also coming into theroom.
Andy looked like he was ready to murder someone, which wasfunny as fuck, considering he was also carrying a big tray of cupcakes that hadmassive froths of pink icing on top of them.
Archie had a stack of dessert plates.
“All right, so how about we think about cupcakes, and eatthem, and even talk about them, and continue enjoying our night,” Haley said,seating herself at the foot of the table and soundingkindadesperate.
“Love you, Mom, but…” Hellen started, she turned towardAndy, and having heard what she had to say before they joined them in thedining room, Jag shot his eyes right to Archie and gave her a look.
She bit her lip.
Hellen went for it.
“Andy, you know I love you too.You stepped up.You helpedraise me and Li.All you do is love Mom when Dad has never been anything but adick to her, and sometimes us.And Archie.”She looked to Arch.“We’re notclose, but we’re cool, and I like you loads.But this Elijah thing needs to beout of the kitchen and discussed among the family because Andy is right.Heneeds to get his head out of his ass.”
“Hellen Katherine Moynihan, mouth, please,” Haley snapped.
“Mom, seriously?”Hellen shot back.“We’re having dramas andwalking on eggshellsand the guy isn’t even here.”
“We’ll discuss it later,” Haley decreed.
“Why, because Jagger’s here?”Hellen asked.“For as long asI can remember, Archie’s never brought a guy to dinner.And you made me andLiane drive down from Boulder to meet himthe first time he shows fordinner.So, it’s not lost on me that’s something special and he told uswhat’s up so it’s not like he’s not in the know that Elijah can be…” her eyesslid to Andy and back to her mother before she finished, “difficult.”
Jag looked again to Archie.
She caught his gaze and tipped her head a bit to the side inunnecessary confirmation he was something special.
He felt his lips twitch.
“Hellen, sweetheart,” Andy murmured.
