Zhaire bounded up. “Uncle Julian, did you make Aunt Alyssa mad?”
Raschad’s eyebrow climbed. “What happened?”
“Nothing that won’t work itself out.” I shouldered an equipment bag.
Tre, incapable of leaving a thing alone, piped up. “Your sister came down here ready to file a lawsuit. I’ve never seen Jules thrown off like that before.”
Raschad looked at me, contrite. “Look… I should apologize.”
“For what?”
“Told her she didn’t need to be here. That I’d watch Micah.” He shook his head. “Alyssa… she’s been through a lot. She can be overprotective.”
“I gathered. Nothing to apologize for. She’s doing what mothers do.”
He nodded, and went to help gather equipment and round the kids up.
I loaded the last of the gear into the shed and stood by the door a minute, looking out at the field.Mr.Suit and Tie,I thought and chuckled to myself. I wasn’t even wearing a suit, but apparently my energy came pre-pressed.
When the last kid’s parent picked him up, I got in my Range Rover and drove home with Alyssa riding along in the back of my mind the entire way.
three weeks later
If I’d had it my way, I would’ve gone home right after the ceremony.
Walking Simone down the aisle, giving her away to Raschad, and seeing my baby sister glowing from the inside out was enough for me. That moment would stay carved in me long after tonight.
Our father was still being a ghost, so it was my arm she held, and it was me who put her hand in Raschad’s. I’d been the most important man in my sister’s life since she was twelve years old. I signed permission slips, and report cards, and learned how to help her with her hair until she figured it out on her own. I taught her how to drive, and stared down boys who came to our door for her, making sure they sweat.
And tonight I gave her away to a man who looks at her like she’s his entire world, and he promised to spend his life proving he’s worthy of her. My heart constricted and I knew if I stayed down in that crowd another minute, it was going to show on my face where people could see it.
The reception was packed: clinking glasses, emotions spilling everywhere like an open faucet. Not my thing. So I went upstairs and posted up on the second-floor balcony overlooking the ballroom. Drink in hand, letting the noise stay below me.
The air upstairs still carried the warmth of the ballroom, champagne, flowers, and too many bodies celebrating too hard. From up there, I could take it all in and keep a little distance.
That’s when I heard her voice.
“Mr. Suit and Tie hiding up here alone? Why am I not surprised?”
I didn’t even have to turn around.Alyssa.
Not the pixie this time. Tonight her hair was longer. A sleek bob, middle part, with highlights catching the light. Could’ve been hers, could’ve been bought; didn’t matter. She wore it like it had always been hers.
I looked over at her. “Didn’t know I was hiding. Is it a crime to want to be alone?”
“It’s not.” She walked up and set her forearms on the rail beside me, looking down at the floor instead of at me.
I kept my eyes on the floor below too, watching Simone laughing at something Raschad said in her ear, her eyes closed and her head tipped back as he kissed her cheek. The girl who used to fall asleep on my shoulder during thunderstorms was now somebody’s wife.
“She’s safe with him,” I said finally.
“She is.” Alyssa turned to look at me. “Raschad was raised by four sisters and a mother. He knows how to do right by a woman. You don’t have to worry, Julian.”
I looked over at her looking at me, and held her stare until she was the one who broke and looked away first. Silence stretched between us again, with the noise below filling the gap.
“Look… um… about the other week. At the field. I apologize. I came in hot.” Her mouth pressed tight, lips rubbing together in that same nervous tell I noticed that day. “I’m a single mom, and Micah and I— he’s all I got. I guess I can be overprotective. Sometimes it comes out wrong.”
I studied her, letting her words sit. An apology wasn’t something I’d expected.
