“I’ve been trying to take things slow with her, but every time she’s near, my feelings damn near consume me. It scares me because I don’t deserve her.”
Tori pulls away, wiping her face. “Why do you think that?”
“You’ve seen the darkness when I lose control. What if I end up like him?”
Her blue eyes widen. “You’renothinglike him. Yes, you might’ve fallen into a dark spiral, but that doesn’t meanyou’re like him. The only person you hurt with your destructive behaviour is yourself.”
“I hurt you.”
“No.” She shakes her head. “You never hurt me. I never blamed you for any of it. I knew you were hurting, but I didn’t know how to help you.”
“Your wedding…”
She winces. “You didn’t hurt me, but I was scared for you. It had to happen for you to be the man standing in front of me today. A man who has turned his life around. A man I’m proud to call my brother.”
I shake my head, running my hand over my face.
“Yes. All I want is for you to be happy, and you really seem like you’ve found that here. I just don’t want you to throw it all away unless you’re completely sure.”
“I’ve never been more sure of anything.”
“I think you and Juliet need to make sure you’re on the same page. And let Everett know sooner rather than later to prevent too big a fallout.”
“You’re not going to warn me away from her?”
She furrows her brow. “Why would I do that?”
“Because of Tinsley.”
“I’m not worried about you caring for that little girl. I can see you already do. You’re the one doubting yourself. Everyone else can see the good guy you truly are. Including Juliet and Tinsley.”
A lump forms in my throat. “I’m scared.”
“That’s normal,” Tori says with a smile. “It means you care.”
“I think I care too much.”
“Lucky her.”
Pulling her in for another hug, I say, “I’m glad you came here.”
She laughs. “I’m your sister. You’re never getting rid of me. I’m here for you no matter what, and I’m rooting for you and Juliet. I like her.”
“Yeah,” I say with a grin. “Me, too.”
I spend the next couple of hours reconnecting with my sister, and while both of us shed more tears as we lay all our shit bare, we laugh as we reminisce about some of our happier childhood memories. It still hurts to think of Mum, and the guilt hasn’t disappeared, but I’m lighter for being able to relieve some of the burden.
By the time we say good night and head upstairs to bed, it’s too late to call Juliet, so I send her a message.
Blake: Thank you for encouraging me to talk to my sister. Sorry I didn’t call, but I wanted you to know I’m thinking of you Night, pixie.
I wakeup early Monday morning to cook breakfast for Tori before seeing her off, making her promise to text when she gets home. If I didn’t have night shift tonight, I would’ve driven her myself, but she laughs me off, saying she’s perfectly capable of driving six and a half hours.
“You can’t blame me for wanting to protect you and my nephew,” I say, pulling her in for one last hug.
She squeezes me tight. “We love you, Blake.”
“I love you both so much. Keep me updated with everything.”
