“That’s what you do. You terrify, Ben makes fun of them, and Connor goes for passive-aggressive, thinly veiled threats.” She held three fingers up. “Eric, Tom, and Abhi. The three of you scared them all off.”
“I barely even spoke to Abhi,” he protested. He couldn’t protest about the other two.
He had been justified, though. One had been shifty-eyed, and the other…well, he couldn’t remember what he’d hated about the other, but he was certain there had been a reason for him to treat him with suspicion.
“No. You silently loomed.”
He rolled his eyes, ready to have this ridiculous discussion over. “Kati. I don’t care if the boys you date are terrified by my looming. You’re bringing them home. If I don’t meet Darren after school, you aren’t staying out late with him after play rehearsal.”
“Ugh.” Kati shot him a disgusted look and hiked her backpack higher. “Fine. But you can’t call him a hipster, or make fun of his skinny jeans or glasses.”
“Don’t be silly. I’m sure Connor and Ben will handle those comments when they eventually meet him.” He held up his hand at her outraged sputter. “Relax. I promise to put all the guns away and remain seated the entire time, lest I scare him bylooming.”
“Make us a snack. Or walk around cleaning. That tends to emasculate you a bit.”
He narrowed his eyes at her. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
A cheeky grin and he was reminded of the mischievous six-year-old who had careened around the house, rarely still. He couldn’t help but speak, stopping her as she turned to go. “Kati-cat.”
“Yeah?”
“I won’t get mad, but…” He hesitated. “That weekend I went to the cabin. Were you spending the weekend with Darren?”
“Jeez, what?” She wrinkled her nose. “No. I spent the weekend at Kristen’s. You can call her mom, if you want.”
“No. No.” He smiled, relieved. “I believe you.”
“Although…” A guilty flush. “The reason I hadn’t left yet was because I went on a date with Darren that night. We didn’t stay here together alone for long, or anything,” she hurriedly said, and he didn’t miss the qualifier offor long. “Kristen picked me up at nine, and I went to her place.”
“Okay,” he said slowly. He was relieved it had been as simple as that. “Don’t keep stuff from me again.”
“I won’t.” She surprised him by skirting the island and walking up to him to wrap her fragile arms around his waist. He immediately returned the hug, not even her thick backpack keeping him from enveloping her. “I love you.”
His heart threatened to burst. “I love you too, Kati-Cat.”
“You haven’t hugged me in days.” The accusation was muffled against his shirt.
The guilt came fast and hard. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I figured you were too mad…” He trailed off. He hadn’t made many overtures toward his sister, that was true. Partially because he was uncertain of his reception, and partially because, well…he was busy.
Busy struggling to write the novel he barely wanted to write any longer, but busier struggling to manage his time with Akira.
Instinctive fear had him tightening his hold on his sister, but the words he had been chanting to himself for the better part of the week intruded.You’re allowed to have a life. You’re allowed to see women. You are not your father.
Kati’s voice was muffled. “It was my fault. I don’t like when we fight.”
He stroked his hand through her hair, not daring to say anything to break this strange spell. Kati was pretty much the only person he regularly embraced, his brothers more prone to do the back-slapping thing with him now that they were grown.
He hugged her tighter and inhaled the scent of vanilla. He had missed this too. Love rushed through him, making his chest expand. He would never forget this little girl just because something or someone shiny came along.Not like their father.“Me neither, kiddo.”
She turned her head so her words were clearer. “I thought about what you said. It was wrong of me to call Akira a slut. I get super mad if anyone says it to me or my girlfriends. I should be more careful.”
He tugged on her hair until she looked up at him. “It’s not kind to judge someone like that,” he said quietly, as much for himself as for her.
“Yeah. I know. Not even if it’s someone I don’t like.”
Then you’re going to hate that I can’t quit her.“You barely know her,” he protested.
Her nose wrinkled. “Mei told me so many stories.”
