“It’s more complicated than that.”
“Then he can keep doing what he’s doing, and I’ll do what I’m doing,” he said. “Problem solved.”
As nice as it was to be loved like a son, I knew I didn’t deserve that favoritism. My father was gone because he was selfish and careless. I was never important to him. If I had been, he would have been like Jacques and protected me against it all. But myuncle and cousin deserved to be reunited. “I see the pain your father carries, and I have to assume you carry it too.”
“I sleep just fine.”
“Right.”
He took another drag of his cigarette.
I’d barely touched my cigar.
“Why are you doing this, Luca? You’re the son he wanted. Looks like everything worked out for the best.”
“I’ll never replace you, Jacques.” Even when Baptiste said he considered me to be a son, I knew he spoke from a place of pain. “Just because my parents were killed due to the business doesn’t mean the same will happen to your parents or to you.”
“But it could.”
“And you could get hit by a taxi crossing the street, Jacques.”
“I look both ways, asshole.”
“I’m just saying, death can hit us at any time. I don’t think going no-contact with your parents is the right decision.”
“Oh,youdon’t think so?” he snapped. “Because this isyourlife?Yourdecision? Luca, if you ever settle down with a woman and pop out a kid, your entire perspective will be different. Don’t talk to me about something you don’t understand.” He stabbed the cigarette into the ashtray and put it out. “Did he put you up to this?”
“No.”
“Really?” he challenged.
“I swear on my father’s grave.”
He continued to study me, balancing between belief and disbelief. “Why? Why do you care?”
I didn’t involve myself in other people’s affairs. Their messes. Their chaos. But I got involved in this. “The difference between your father and mine is…yours actually gives a shit about you. He actually loves you. Mine never did. And it seems like a waste for you both to lose that.”
With his fingers on the top of his glass, he continued to stare at me.
“Just seems like a waste.”
Aliénor texted me.Dominic and I are at Bar Hemingway if you want to stop by.
I’d just gotten home when I received her text.It’s okay. Have fun. Now that I knew Dominic was into dudes and not into her, I didn’t care about their friendship. Truth be told, I was still embarrassed that I’d gotten jealous over a man who didn’t even like women.
Come on. Dominic wants to meet you.
Alright. I’ll be there in a few.
And heads-up…he thinks you’re hot.
How does he know what I look like?
I may have taken some pictures of you…
I smirked.Sneaky.
I said some. Not a lot.
