Page 101 of Wicked Brutal

“So do I.”

"I run to Ally. Dad says I shouldn’t. He says boys shouldn’t need girls taking care of them.”

I nod slowly. Then I look at Mom. “I still need her.”

Tobias follows my eyes. "Cassandra? But she’s your mom. And You’re grown up.”

“Still my mom.” Mom’s eyes fill. I look at Tobias again. “I need Ally too. And I need Cat and Penny and Becca sometimes too.”

“Girls.”

Yup. Needing people isn’t weakness.”

He gets quiet. I don’t fill it. Eventually he says, “Dad says women make men weak.” I feel Ally tense.

“What do you think?”

“I think Ally makes me feel better.”

Fuck. Her hand squeezes mine. “Sounds like she’s making you stronger then.”

Tobias looks at her. She smiles through her tears. “You are my family. Nothing changes that.”

“What about the baby? Victor says babies take all your time.”

I answer before Ally can. “Babies take a lot of time. They don’t take all your love.”

Then his face gets serious again. “But Victor—“

Ally takes his hands in hers. “There isn’t going to be a Victor. I am not marrying Victor.”

His eyes go huge. “But Dad said you have to.”

“Roman doesn’t get to decide who Ally marries,” I tell him. “Your Walter taught me something when I was about your age.”

Tobias straightens. Of course he does. Walter stories are apparently sacred texts. “What?”

“That being a man isn’t about getting everybody to do what you want.”

“What is it?”

“Showing up.” He waits. “Taking care of the people you love without trying to own them. Telling the truth even when it’s hard. Saying you’re sorry when you’re wrong. Asking for help when you need it.”

“Crying?”

“Yep.”

“Even in front of girls?”

“Especially if those are the people you trust.”

He looks toward Mom. Then Ally. Then back at me. “Dad says I have to get harder before Ally leaves.”

“You don’t.”

“He says Victor can teach me.” My stomach turns. Tobias looks down. “I don’t want Victor to teach me.”

“Then he won’t.”