I flinched back.
“A cliché? What the hell do you mean by that?”
“A fling with your live-in babysitter. I worried about this, but I thought she was safe with you.”
“Of course she is. This is not a fling or a cliché, Gary. Jesus, you know me better than that.”
He exhaled a groan and dropped his head back.
“Stella has been through a lot. She’s vulnerable. And this may be a way to pass the time for you, but I don’t want her hurt. You won’t do it on purpose, but I’m afraid it’s heading that way.”
“I fell in love with your sister. I’ve always loved her like I love you, but it’s different now.”
“Different. Yeah, that’s one way to look at it.” He barked out a laugh. “What about all those times you told me that you’d sleep with a woman but could never marry or love another one after Katie. That’s alldifferentnow too?”
“Yes,” I said, unsure how else to answer. “That’s how I felt, but not anymore. Not with Stella.”
He glanced back at the window, clenching his eyes shut.
“I think I have about a minute before my mother or sister comes out here and tells me to back off. I’ll say one more thing, and then I’ll let it be.” He stepped up to me, his nostrils flaring. I’d seen this side of Gary before, but this was the first time it had been directed at me.
“If you do this with my sister, you better make sure that you’re all in. That this isn’t just because you’re playing house and got too into it.”
“What the fuck does that mean?”
“That because she’s here, taking care of your daughterand living in your house, you aren’t making her a pinch hitter for Katie.”
Stella had used that term as a joke, and hearing Gary use it that way turned my stomach.
“I am all in. She’s not a stand-in for Katie, and if you ever say that again or even hint at it, I may be the one to punch you.”
“Knock, knock.”
Our heads swiveled to Mrs. Parker, setting her cane on the other side of the threshold and gingerly stepping over.
“Stella has a headache, so I told her to lie down on her bed. Not sure if it’s from yesterday or you two now.” She pursed her lips. “I thought I’d come out here before a punch was thrown and you both made her feel worse.”
“Sorry, Mom,” Gary grumbled.
“I know you’re used to a bunch of men doing whatever you tell them to do without question, but it doesn’t work on your sister, and it never did.” She arched a brow and patted his cheek. “You’re a good brother, so stop being a stupid one.”
Gary let go of a real laugh and nodded.
“Noted, Mom.”
She smiled as she came up to me.
“I have always loved you. You were a good kid and are a wonderful man who had the worst luck anyone could ever imagine. But be careful with my Stella,” she whispered, wrapping her thin fingers around my wrist. “Please.”
“Of course, Mrs. Parker. I love her as much as you both do.”
“Paula. If you’re taking showers with my daughter, I think you can finally start calling me by my first name.”
“Jesus,” Gary muttered, scrubbing a handdown his face.
“Oh, grow up, son. We’re all adults. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going back inside to finish my lovely breakfast, and I expect you both to follow. I’m slow, so say what you need to say, then come back inside.”
“Are we okay?” I asked Gary as Mrs. Parker headed to the door.
