Now I’ve fuckingtoldhim what I want, and he doesn’t believe me. Worse, the stubborn motherfucker’s determined to fight against me to protect me from myself.
And maybe—given how panicked he looked when I asked if he was in love with me—he’s trying to protect himself too.
That thought cheers me up a little.
Because if he thinks I’m going to give up or back down, he’s wrong. When it comes to the few things in life Ihavelet myself want—like being a firefighter, being a good chief, stepping up for my nieces—Anna’s right. I can out-stubborn anyone to get my way.
Even Ames.
Now that I know what it’s like to kiss him, to feel him in my arms, to hear the little sounds he makes when our bodies collide… I can’t let it go. Iwon’t. And I’m not letting Ames decide for both of us whatIneed and want and am capable of feeling.
Even right now, when I’m angrier than I’ve ever been at him, there’s not a shred of doubt in my mind that he’s meant to be mine.
“I’m not engaged anymore,” I tell the other parents, a little surprised by how firm my voice sounds. “Lissa and I didn’t work out. But I’m not available either.” I shrug. “The matchmakers can back off.”
Sandra laughs. “Fair enough.”
I can tell all of them are dying to know more, but I let the uncomfortable silence drag on, and nobody actuallyasks. Eventually, Sandra smiles and hands me an orange slice from the giant bag Brie brought, and the moment passes.
After Brie gets her green belt, I take her to Fox Creamery to celebrate with a sundae. Then I drop her back at Anna’s and head home. My head’s spinning with all the things I want to tell Ames. All the ways I can convince him that I meant what I said and that I’m willing to fight for it.
But when I get home, I realize almost immediately that Ames isn’t there. The guest bed’s stripped. His duffel’s gone, and so’s his clean laundry. Even this morning’s breakfast mess has been cleaned up. It’s like the whole past week—that charged shower we shared, the nights I slept at his side—never happened.
Anger flashes through me. Does he really think I’ll drop it that easily?
I’m already halfway to the door, ready to get back in my truck and hunt the man down, when the doorbell rings, and I find my brother standing on my front porch.
It’s the first time I’ve seen Mike in a while, and he looks… different. He’s nearly my height but leaner than I remember, and he looks… well,hunted. There’s a blue Corolla idling at the curb, like he asked his Uber driver to wait for him.
“Rob,” Mike begins. “Hear me out?—”
“No,” I say immediately when I see his pleading face. “Save your apologies for your kid. I don’t wanna hear it.”
“You have to let me explain,” he says. “You owe me that much.”
“I really don’t.” I pull the door closed and lock it. “I already told you we’re done. No more money, Mike. Nomore putting in a good word for you. No more bailing you out. After today, we’re even more done. Lose my number.”
“You don’t mean that! Look, I… I know everyone thinks I’m a selfish asshole.” His voice takes on a wheedling tone. “But Rob, if anyone in this world can understand why I do what I do, it’s you. You know how important family is!”
I tell myself to keep walking, but this is too much. I stop and stare at him. “I do know how important it is. Which is why I do not understand you.”
“’Course you do! I know you’ve got your panties in a twist right now because I had another boss turn me out on my ass over nothing. But Robbie, you have no idea how much shit I put up with. Luc’s all, ‘You left early, Mike,’ and ‘I need someone I can depend on, Mike.’ Fuckingbullshit. I’m the best guy on his damn crew. Get more done than ten guys put together, all while earningpeanuts?—”
“What are you even talking about?”
“I’m talking about you being pissed at me! Letting Anna get in your head and talk shit?—”
“What happened today, Mike?” I demand.
Mike blinks. “What do you mean, today?”
“WithBrie. Today.”
His face is blank. “I didn’t say shit to Brie today, man. I haven’t seen her all week ’ cause I’ve been hustling to find work?—”
“She had her green belt test in tae kwon do. You were supposed to take her.”
Mike’s face flushes. “Oh, fuck. That was today? But I… I told Anna my car needed repairs! How’d she think I was gonna get there to take Brie anywhere? Jesus.”
