Idrag my stiff body down the hallway, still reeling from my visit with Amelia.Last night I went to her apartment because I needed a reprieve from Della’s revelation.Discovering that my sister was raped was screwing with my mind, and I guess I got what I came for.That’s not saying I like the turn our conversation took.
It bothers me that she thinks I would intentionally hurt her son.Even if things didn’t work out between us, I’d never shun Dylan.I know what it’s like to have a father who constantly disappoints you.I also know what it’s like when another man steps up to raise you.Granddaddy did that for me and Della.He took on the responsibility and erased all the pain our father inflicted on us.He made us feel seen, valued, and loved.
The kitchen light hits me hard, making me wince.Della and Judy look up from the table, their conversation dying as I walk in.
“Well, look who’s up,” Judy says, smiling warmly at me.“You’re just in time for breakfast.Got a pot of fresh coffee on the counter.”
I grunt something that might pass for thanks and make a beeline for the coffeepot.
“You got in late last night,” Della says, eyes narrowing as she studies me over the rim of her mug.“Everything okay?”
I take a long sip, considering my words.
“I stopped by Amelia’s,” I finally say, keeping my voice neutral.
Della’s mouth forms a perfect ‘O’, her coffee cup suspended halfway to her lips as she stares at me from across the kitchen table.
“It’s not what you think,” I say quickly.“Dylan wants me to teach him how to ride.That’s all.”
“Mmm-hmm,” Della hums, not believing me for a second.“And you were going to give him a riding lesson late at night?
Judy bustles around the kitchen, pretending not to listen as she flips pancakes at the stove, but I notice how her spatula pauses mid-air.I love her dearly, but I really shouldn’t be having this conversation in front of her.
“It wasn’t that late,” I grunt.“And no, I wanted to ask Amelia for her permission.I sort of committed to giving Dylan the lessons without really discussing it with her.”
“Well,” Della says, setting down her mug with a decisive clink, “I think it’s nice you’re willing to help Dylan learn how to ride.And I’m sure Amelia was perfectly...agreeable.”
I take a gulp of coffee, burning my tongue in the process.
“She wasn’t,” I admit, meeting her gaze.“There’s history there, Della.”
She rolls her eyes.“Oh, brother, you think I don’t know that?”
I blink at her.“What do you mean?”
Della gives me a look and leans forward, setting down her coffee mug.
“Maddox, I walked in on you two in the barn that summer.”
The coffee in my mouth goes down the wrong pipe.I cough violently, splattering droplets across the table.
“You...what?”I finally manage, my voice strangled.
Della shrugs, passing me a napkin.“I never told Amelia because I didn’t want to embarrass her, and I figured if she or you wanted me to know, one of you would’ve told me.”She tilts her head, studying me.“But, yeah.I got an education that day.”
Judy has abandoned all pretense of not listening.She stands frozen by the stove, spatula dripping batter onto the floor.
“I’ve always wondered what happened between the two of you.It wasn’t long after that before she wound up with Russell.”
Don’t I know it.
“Nothing,” I mutter, rubbing my hand down my face.“We were over before we started.”
And that fuck Russell was there to pick up the pieces of her I broke.
“Didn’t appear that way to me.Something definitely started in that barn that day.”
“Jesus Christ, Della.Can you not?That was a private moment.”
