Andrew turned around as he slowed his pace. “Yeah.”
He waved and closed the door behind him. “He’ll be over soon enough.” He held his hand out for Paige and grinned when she took it.
Justin didn’t want to tell her what to do, but if he were in Andrew’s position, this would be what he wanted. Andrew didn’t seem like someone who wanted to be babied, and though he’d told Paige off without any hint of resentment, Justin could tell that he’d meant it. He didn’t want to be treated like a crippled.
“I don’t think any less of him, you know.”
“I know.” He squeezed her hand. “But I think it’s very important he sees that.”
“I know,” she said softly, almost in a whisper.
“He’s going to be fine.”
“And how do you know that?”
“No one would’ve blamed him for taking a break from everything. No one would’ve blamed him for focusing on getting himself better. But he went to New York for you, and now he’s here.”
“That’s the problem; he should be resting. He shouldn’t have to worry about me.”
“Wrong.”
“I think it means a lot for him to get back on his feet and be able to help you. I think that having something for him to do is a thousand times better than having to remain in the hospital and be reminded of what he’s lost.”
And there was the smile he loved.
When the door opened, Paige swiveled around toward it.
“That’s fas—”
“What are you doing here?” Mrs. Seymour asked, stopping right by the table.
Justin saw the surprise in Mrs. Seymour’s eyes and looked over. His jaws slackened, he couldn’t believe who he was seeing.
“To see my son. Darling, the taxi is waiting outside. I lost my wallet on the way here.” His mom hitched her handbag higher up on her shoulder and pushed her hands into the back pocket of her denim miniskirt.
He sighed softly and stood.
“I got it.” Paige got up, pushing the chair back. “You stay with your mom.”
He eyed his mother as she sashayed over to the dining table, trying to judge if she was drunk. “No. It’s all right.” He stepped aside and pulled Paige over to his seat while looking over at Mrs. Seymour.
Only after Mrs. Seymour gave him a small nod did he tap Paige lightly on her nose and jog out when a horn sounded outside. He ran up to the taxi and paid the driver. “Was she drinking on the way here?”
“No, but she did seem a little drunk when she got up the cab. Slept all the way through.”
“Thanks.” Justin pulled out another twenty and tipped the driver. He hurried back into the house, concerned. His mother would probably be craving for the next drink now. It wouldn’t be a pleasant sight when she couldn’t get her hands on some form of alcohol.
“Who’s here?”
He spun around and sighed when he saw Andrew. He’d completely forgotten about him. “My alcoholic mom.”
“At least she took a cab, especially with her DUIs and all.”
Justin paused and couldn’t help grinning. “You did a really thorough check didn’t you?”
“Shawn has always like Paige.” Andrew continued toward the Seymour’s house. “What’s that alarm ringing in Paige’s house?”
“Motion sensor. I tagged it to the entrance of the street.”
Andrew nodded and entered the house. “Good morning, is there still space for me?”
“Wow, and who are you?”
Justin rolled his eyes at his mother’s flirtatious voice.
“I’m Paige’s brother.”
Walking in, Justin was relieved to see Paige sitting beside Mrs. Seymour and away from his mom.
Mrs. Seymour set Andrew’s plate on the other end of the table, right beside Paige. “Coffee?” Mrs. Seymour asked Andrew, pouring him a cup when he nodded. “And you, Peggy?”
“Oh, no.” His mom stood and looked around. “I’m actually a little thirsty, I’ll just help myself to a glass of water.”
“They don’t drink; there won’t be any alcohol in there.”
“Why will you say that?” His mom threw her hands in the air. “Why do you always assume I’m looking for alcohol. I’m just thirsty.”
Despite saying that, Justin could hear his mom opening and closing the cabinets in the kitchen. He looked over at Paige, seeing her sympathetic smile.
“Let’s eat,” she said.
“Yes, I don’t want to be late for church,” Mrs. Seymour added.
“What do you think of the house?” Mr. Seymour asked.
Nobody seemed to desire silence around the table.
“Nice. Justin did a great job. Doesn’t look like a haunted house at all. Have you seen any ghost so far?”
Paige rolled her eyes at him.
“Did you see any woman in a long, white gown and—”
“Ouch!” Paige bent over and reached for her feet.
“Ha. I knew you would do that. You kicked my prosthetic.”
“I thought you said he was protective of you,” Mrs. Seymour said with a laugh.
“I am. But I’m also the only one who’s allowed to bully her.” He took a bite of the hash brown and gave Paige’s head a light push.
Justin glanced toward the kitchen, wondering if he should go in and stop his mother from ransacking the Seymours’ cabinets.
“Did you see the swinging chair on the deck? Justin got it for Paige because she thought it was cute.”
“Really? She did spend a lot of time on something similar back home,” Andrew commented. “So, Justin, is she as fussy over at your house?”
“Fussy?”
“No sitting on the couch after exercising, no touching of her stuff—”
“I never said you couldn’t touch my stuff, I said to put them back where they belong.”
“I always put them back where they belong.”
“No, you don’t.”
“Good luck, buddy.” Andrew gave Justin a mock punch.
And finally, his mom came back out of the kitchen with a glass of water after her failed attempt to find alcohol.
Sitting down beside him, she took a bite of the scrambled egg on her plate. “So, how’s the haunted house working out for you, darling? Are you staying there with your brother?”
“It’s working out fine,” Paige answered.
“Can I get a tour?”
“No,” Justin interrupted before Paige could answer.
“And why not? It isn’t your house,” his mom retorted. “You look like a sweet girl.”
“She doesn’t have alcohol in her house either,” he stated impassively.
“You can’t stand the sight of me, can you? Everything I do is about alcohol. Is that how you see me? I’m your mom, Justin. Show some respect.”
Justin drew in a deep breath through his nose and finished up the food on his plate.
“Oh, darling, give me your house keys. I’m so tired, I want to get some sleep.”
Damn.
“Why don’t you stay here, Peggy? We have a spare room right upstairs.”
Justin’s eyes popped open. Mrs. Seymour should know what would happen. Once they left for church, his mom would ransack the house for any valuable she could find, then disappear with whatever she could get her hands on.
“No, I’d rather stay in my own house.”
Paige looked at Justin. “I can—”
“No. I’ll sleep on the couch. That’s if she’s intending to stay.”
“Oh, my God. I’m sorry I didn’t know, darling. Why didn’t you tell me that she’s your girlfriend? She’s cute.”
“I’ll take you home.” Justin glanced around the table and hesitated for a moment. He didn’t want Paige going to church without him. He was sure that by now, half the town knew Paige had stayed over at his place.
Having Andrew beside her should keep her safe, but he didn’t want to leave her alone. “Do you want to come with me?”
“Sure,”
Paige said. “Are you going to church?” she asked Andrew.
Andrew took a glimpse of Justin and Mr. Seymour. “Is it all right if I just wear this? I didn’t bring any shirts.”
“Oh, it’s fine.” Mrs. Seymour assured, then turned to Justin. “Go, we’ll see you in church.”
Justin stood and waited for his mom to head out the door, but she went over and looped her arm over Paige’s. “So, darling, tell me all about yourself.” She dragged Paige out toward the door. “You’re the first girlfriend I’ve ever met.”
“What do you want to know?”
“Tell me how did the two of you get up together? He’s always so withdrawn.” With a pout, she continued. “Or are you that only when you’re with me?”
“We met when he filled in for Travis to work on my house,” Paige quickly said, bringing his mom’s attention back toward her. “Are you intending to stay for long?”
“It depends if he’ll let me stay. Will you help me put in some good words?”
He knew his mom wouldn’t be so nice to Paige for nothing. He pulled Paige’s arm from his mom and moved her over to the other side, putting himself between them. “I told you, stay off your alcohol and you can stay here as long as you want. You don’t have to bother Paige with it.”
“Paige. What a nice name! Paige, darling, can you spot me a fifty? I lost my wallet on the way here.”
“No, she won’t. And I’m not giving you a single cent either.”
“Justin, I’m your mom! I’m having such a bad headache. You have no idea what I go through. You’re rich now, aren’t you? Is it too much to help your mom with a little here and there once in a while?”
“I’m not giving you any money.”
“You!” she snarled. “You’re the worst son anyone can have!” She raised her clenched fist and pounded down on Justin.
He angled his chest toward his mom, taking the blow, while his arm held out to push Paige behind him. It didn’t hurt him, it probably hurt her hand more than it did him.
Even after so many years, her modus operandi was still the same. She would go scouting around the house, then be all nice to anyone who would listen and try to get some money off them to buy the alcohol she wanted. When that didn’t work, she would start screaming and yelling, then eventually punching and kicking.
There was only one problem; he wasn’t a kid anymore.
When she raised her arm again, Justin grabbed her wrist before she could reach him. “I think you should find a ride back to wherever you came from.”
“Paige, darling, look at how he’s treating his mom. You won’t let him treat me this way, will you?”
Justin stretched his arm over Paige, keeping her behind him. “Leave.” With Paige safe behind him, he stood his ground and added, “Now.”
When his mom realized that she wasn’t going to get anything from them, her face twisted into scowl. She tried peering over at Paige, but Justin moved along, cutting his mom’s vision from her.
Pointing her middle finger at him, she stormed away, all the while swearing what an awful son he was.
This wasn’t going to be the end.
Since she didn’t get any money from him, she would have to look for it elsewhere.
Justin watched his mother and turned back to Paige only when she disappeared from his sight. “Are you all right?”
Paige’s brows raised. “Why are you asking me if I am all right? Are you? I’m sorry, she did seem pretty nice for a while.”
“Yeah, that’s her.”
Pressing her lips into a thin line, she chewed on them.
“Don’t worry, I’m used to it. I’m sorry you had to see that.”
“It doesn’t change anything.”
“So I guess we’re going to church together?” Andrew stepped out of the house and joined them. “Paige, I left my phone in your room. Can you get it for me?”
“Okay.”
Andrew dropped the keys into her hands, and she half jogged over.
“Hell of a mom you have,” Andrew said the moment Paige was out of earshot.
“I’m not her.”
“I didn’t say you are.” Andrew paused for a moment. “A person’s immediate reaction in the presence of danger says a lot. And the first thing you did when your mom raised her hand at you was to protect Paige.”
“It wasn’t a bullet.”
“But that was your instinct, and that’s good enough for me.” Andrew shrugged and continued. “Don’t spoil her, though. We’ve already done that.”
“Spoil her?”
“My parents always wanted a daughter, and I’ve always wanted to be a big brother. When my parents adopted her, she became the princess in our house. We were so protective of her that my mom wondered if we had allowed her to go through some stress, some bullying, perhaps she wouldn’t be so affected by the stalking,” Andrew explained.
Justin observed Andrew’s expression, noting no changes other than the fading focus of his eyes as if he was thinking of some distant memories. Justin didn’t know if it was a soldier’s trait, but Mr. Seymour had the same imperturbable expression in every situation.
“She’s doing fine.”
“I can see that. You did what we couldn’t; that’s the only reason I’m letting her stay at your house without killing you.”
Paige pushed her bedroom window open and shouted, “I can’t find it, Drew. Where did you leave it?”
Andrew patted down his jeans and pulled his phone out of his pocket. “Oh, it’s right here.” He waved it.
Paige closed the window and disappeared from their sight.
“You didn’t have to make her do that to talk to me.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Andrew headed over to where the cars were parked.
The Seymours drove their own car while the three of them went to church in his.
“So what are you going to do after I kill Cole.”
“You need to stop saying that, Drew.” Paige shot a glare over her shoulder at Andrew.
“Okay, but seriously, what are you going to do? I’ve been entrusted with a message that your job is waiting for you back in New York.”
A loud horn turned all their attention to the road.
Justin raised his open palm to the other driver. He didn’t mean to beat the red light; he hadn’t noticed it.
The thought that Paige wasn’t going to stay hadn’t occurred to him.
Paige did leave New York only because she wanted to escape from her stalker. If the stalker were no longer an issue, there wouldn’t be any reason for her to stay.
“Are you okay?” Paige asked with a frown, her eyes were filled with apprehension.
“I think he’s concerned about your answer.”
Paige glowered at Andrew.
Andrew shrugged and pressed on, “So? Are you going to stay or go back to New York.”
“I don’t know. I kind of like it here.”
Justin broke into a grin.
“Well, I guess you can continue driving with ease.” Andrew gave him a pat on his shoulder, then leaned back against the seat. “You have to be sure, though. I know you. If you start teaching, you’ll stick through the year out of obligation. We’ll support whatever you do, just make sure it’s what you want.”
Andrew had said those words to Paige, but Justin couldn’t help feeling that Andrew was sending him a message, too.
Did Paige choose to stay only because she’d asked him to do so previously?
He didn’t mind staying in town. He could continue to work on projects in Cheyenne and perhaps in the bigger towns nearby, but he’d eventually need to move.
Would Paige mind moving along with him?
It seemed outrageous to start discussing their future plans now.
But he sure wasn’t keen on whatever future that didn’t include her.
The moment they walked into the church compound, all eyes turned to them. This was the second time Justin had been in church since he’d return
ed, but he knew the stares were probably for the bigger giant towering behind Paige.
Maybe it was all the stories that he’d heard from Paige, but Andrew turned out exactly like how he’d expected.
They stood in the compound and waited for the Seymours, with a few of Mrs. Seymour’s friends coming up to greet them. Paige smiled warmly at all of them, introducing them to his brother and promising to continue chatting after church.
He and Andrew smiled at everyone who came up to them, but didn’t say much. Even when Andrew was introduced, he only nodded at them and muttered a casual ‘hi’.
Justin could almost hear the murmurs getting louder as the judging glances kept returning to where they were.
“Why is everyone looking over here?” Paige asked softly.
“Probably just looking at me,” Andrew said with a brief look over at him.
Justin inhaled and exhaled deeply through his mouth. He wanted to tell Paige the truth. There wasn’t any point in keeping it from her, she was bound to find out about it sooner or later.
“Paige! They called!”
Justin’s head snapped over as Jane bounced over toward them.
“Who?”
“The museum. They want to have a Skype interview tomorrow.” Jane grabbed Paige’s arm, tipping forward on her toes. “What should I wear?”
“I can go back with you and choose something later.”
“Really? That’ll be great, thanks!” Jane rocked back and forth on her feet as if she was suppressing herself from erupting into a jump. When she finally took her eyes off Paige, her eyes widened as she noticed the stranger behind Paige. “Did you hire a bodyguard?”
Paige chuckled softly, pulling Andrew forward. “This is my brother, Andrew. Drew, this is Jane.”
Andrew nodded. “Congrats on your interview. Paige’s taste in clothes is pretty boring. All her clothes are of the same design, just different colors.”
Paige nudged him in his ribs.
“Still better than mine, I’m sure,” Jane replied, her voice a notch softer than before.
Justin had to grin. He thought Paige looked nice in everything she wore, but he couldn’t figure out if Jane had said what she did out of fear that Andrew might devour her alive if she’d said otherwise.
Once the word that Andrew was her brother spread, more of Mrs. Seymours friends came up to greet them and asked about Andrew.
A Fresh Start Page 25
