“Jamie…” Ian’s tone turns soft, and if I had the strength, I’d punch him in the nose.“This is your house.”
“No, mate, it’s not,” I snap back.“This is your home.Your family.Your life.”
“You are part of everything.”
I snort.
“I want to help you; we both do.”
“Just because you married my sister?”
“Because we’re friends and you’ve done so much for her and for me.If it wasn’t for you, I’d never have any of this.”
“Consider yourself off the hook.”
“Are you at it again?Hiding behind a few sarcastic jokes?”
I shrug.
“You won’t get out of this if you keep going like that.”
“Maybe I don’t want to get out of it.”
“Riley’s worried about you.So am I.”
“You don’t have to.I’m a big boy; I can take care of myself.”
“Here I am,” Riley says, setting a cup down in front of me.
“Thanks.”
She sits back in her seat, then pushes the plate of her untouched dinner away.
Well done, Jamie.Not only am I falling apart, but I’m dragging my sister down with me.Gold star for that.
“I’m heading home tonight,” I tell Riley, forcing a smile.
“Back to yours?”she asks discreetly.
“There’s nowhere else.”
Riley nods.
“I’m feeling better.”
“Right.”
“I am, I swear.”
“I’ll pretend to believe you, because that’s what you need.”
“You really should start letting go of your grip on me, you know.”
Her hand rests on my arm.“I will never do that.”
“You should know how things work,” Ian adds, getting up.“I’ll go check on Jamie.”He gives Riley a quick kiss, then disappears upstairs, leaving us alone.
“Can I ask you something?”
