“Stay for dinner,” Izzy says as if it will solve my problems.
“I want to spend time with you, but I need to figure Sam out. I’m running out of time with her.” Izzy quirks her lip to the side like she pities me.
“Tell me about the new guy before I leave,” I say, not wanting the conversation to be only about me.
“He’s just finished his MBA at Harvard. He wants to go work at Walsh, but I’m not sure if that’s happening yet,” she says, and I already don’t like the sound of him. Izzy’s got a good heart but can be naïve. Given our family’s position, there are always people that want to take advantage and see if they can make a good connection.
A guy comes strolling into the room, and I’m pretty sure it’s Tristan. He gives Izzy a kiss on the cheek and extends his hand to me. “Hey. I’m Tristan and you are?” His voice is whiney and spoiled and his attitude is pretentious. I also note a little white powder on his nose, and my blood boils. He looks like the type of guy that would’ve attended boarding school with me. The thought of my little sister being with someone like him makes my head spin.
Tristan extends his hand to me but I don’t reciprocate. My gaze cuts to Izzy. “Isabella where is the kitchen? NOW,” I demand as the fiery need to protect my sister from this loser takes over.
“Al, uh …” Izzy stutters as I take hold of her arm, albeit gently, and force her to guide me to the kitchen. She does as she’s told because I’m not playing games. “What the hell?” she asks when we reach the kitchen, and she pulls her arm out of my grasp.
“Don’t what the hell me …” I whisper scream. “That guy is a cokehead, Izzy.” I pause and run my fingers through my hair. My insides are going to explode. She doesn’t say anything to negate what I’ve just said. “Holy crap! Are you doing drugs with him?” I give her an incredulous look.
Her eyes turn wide. “Hell no! You know I don’t touch that stuff. Maybe a little weed here and there, but I would never touch blow.”
“But you would date a guy that does,” I retort and she winces.
“It’s not like that,” she answers.
“Isabella, I’m not walking out of this house until he’s gone,” I demand, crossing my arms over my chest.
She heaves a sigh. “We’re together. I can’t just throw him out Christmas Eve.”
“You have feelings for him?” I ask because I need to understand how deep she is. Her best friend died of a drug overdose in high school, which left Izzy feeling messed-up for a long time. I know my sister isn’t into drugs. I’m surprised she would be with someone that is.
She shakes her head, a clear battle going on inside her mind. “I don’t know how to answer that. I like him. He treats me well.”
“And he doesn’t want you getting high with him?” I cock a brow and wait expectantly.
She purses her lips, and the truth seeps from her features. “Fuck, Izzy. What the hell is going on?” I ask because with all the shit I’ve had going on in my life, I’ve clearly been a neglectful brother. The Walsh clan sure doesn’t know how to be supportive, which leaves Izzy alone. “I’m sorry.” I take a step toward her and hug her.
She hugs me back. “It’s nothing, Al. I was lonely. Last Christmas, when I was in Bahamas, I told you I was with friends, but I wasn’t. I was alone. My friends were all with their families, and I didn’t want to be with mine. Last year I promised myself that I wouldn’t be alone this year. You’ve been busy. I dated Tristan and things were going well, so I asked Tristan to come out here for Christmas. I thought you would join too, but then you got sidetracked.”
I release the hug.
“Fuck. I’m so sorry. I need you to be open with me. You’re the only family I’ve got. I don’t want to lose you, and I don’t need anything bad happening to you.”
“I know, and I love you for it.” She sighs, and now she’s crying.
“He’s gotta go.” I persist.
“I know.” She swipes a tear from her eye.
“You’re coming with me,” I say, and it isn’t a request.
“Where?” she asks.
“To the Belmonts,” I answer.
“Who?” She looks very confused.
“The family I’ve been staying with.”
“I have Sasha and Steven here. I can’t just leave them.” She gives me a look that says she thinks I’m crazy.
Something about the way she says their names does something in my brain.
“You said you had Sasha and Aaron here when I walked in.” I tilt my head, giving her a curious look.
She bites her lip. “Busted.”
“No more stories,” I warn. “I want him gone by morning.” I head to the washroom to give her the privacy to go tell Tristan to take a hike. When I return to the kitchen, I hear arguing in the family room. He doesn’t want to leave. He’s fighting to stay. I don’t like it. He asks her about the interview with her father, and my blood turns cold. He’s using her. I stomp into the family room and his eyes turn wide. I can see that he’s high as a kite, so I don’t want to make this worse than it is.
“Tristan, buddy, this is probably isn’t a good time for you to drive. I propose that you spend the night here and sleep off whatever it is you are on. I’ll be back in the morning to make sure you’re gone.” I leave no room for questions, and Tristan nods his head and fucks off to wherever he came from.
“Let’s go.” I look at Izzy. “Go pack an overnight bag.”
She stares at me, rooted to her spot.
“Izzy …” I give her a look that says get moving.
She blinks. “Yeah, let me just grab my things and the cheesecake Amanda made. It looks to die for. I don’t like to show up as a guest with empty hands.”
I smile. “Sounds good.”
I wait for her by the front door. My nerves are worse now than when I walked in here. Izzy finally walks up to the door in a heavy winter jacket and boots, carrying a small bag on her shoulders. She’s prepared for the weather.
She stops dead in her tracks when we walk up to the old Ford truck. “Um, Al …” She gives me a questioning look then looks down to my feet. Then she comes around and analyzes my jeans. “Why are you dressed like a redneck?”
I burst into laughter. “I’ve been ranching,” I say proudly.
Izzy laughs. “I don’t know what the fuck that’s code for, but I’m freezing. Let me follow you in my car,” she says, and I agree.
We head back to the Belmonts, a stranger in their home with a plus one. I hope this will be a Christmas we never forget.
Chapter Thirty
Sam
Mack and Autumn finish setting the table. I get out of the shower after spending the afternoon practicing on Dangerous Rider, our bull. Autumn brought Ethan out to the barn for a few minutes to watch, and now he’s looking at me like I’m some wonder woman or something.
“Can I help?” I shake out my wet hair and adjust my shirt. We don’t get dressed up around here, so I’m in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt like the rest of the family.
“Make sure the oven is hot enough. I’m worried with all that food in there it won’t heat properly,” Mack calls out.
“Sure thing.” I check the oven and pass my papa in the kitchen. “Welcome back,” I say, leaning into the oven. “Hunt anything interesting?”
“Always do,” he assures me, but I don’t get more than that. I don’t like hunting, and so when I decided to forgo my chance at college, I made him promise me to never bring home any animal that he kills. He honors that request.
“Everything good around here?” he asks, looking around. “Is City gone?” he asks and looks a little disappointed.
“Everything’s good. Al was a huge help this week with you taking off like that,” I chide, turning the heat up on the oven because at this rate we’ll never sit down to eat our Christmas dinner, and I’m famished.
“Figure he’d be. Looks like a fast learner. Where’s he at now?” Papa continues to look around, and his interest in Al baff
les me a little. He was riding his case all the time. Before I can get in an answer, Papa says, “Want to thank him for this nice Christmas dinner. Mack mentioned he picked it all up.” He takes a swig from a beer bottle.
I’m about to say something to answer Papa’s question, but there’s a knock at the door. It’s Al. He hasn’t knocked all week, but I figure he saw Papa’s Ford outside and thought it’d be best. Autumn answers the door and there’s a woman standing by his side. She’s pretty and tall with long dirty blond hair and hazel eyes. She’s wearing the perfect outfit. Her nails are manicured with red nail polish. Everything about her screams class.
“I hope it’s alright I brought my sister over for dinner,” he says, kind of staring at all of us and no one in particular.
“Fine by me, Al. It’s Christmas.” My father takes a step toward him and shakes his hand. I’m confused wondering if he hit the Jim Beam early today.
“Thanks, Mr. Belmont.” Al shakes his hand. “This is my sister, Isabella. We call her Izzy,” he says, and then he introduces her to everyone, only she doesn’t shake their hands. She reaches in for a hug, and I can tell Mack and Autumn instantly like her. “And this is Sam,” Al says, and I sense innuendo in his tone, like he’s mentioned me. Her eyes warm and she looks at me like I’m a sacred pearl.
“So nice to meet you.” I smile.
“Thanks so much for having me. Sorry I’m crashing your Christmas dinner.” She giggles nervously. “Al went all big brother on me, and well …” she trails off. “It’s a long story, but I bring the best cheesecake ever.” She passes me the cake.
“Thank you. That was kind. My friend Kell is a baker. If this is as good as you say it is, she’ll want a recipe,” I say, taking the cake and placing it in the fridge. When I turn around, I see her lips have twisted.
“Oh, well…” she bites her lip “…I didn’t make it. Our cook did, but I’m sure I can get the recipe if you’d like,” she says sweetly.
I wince a little. Right. Her cook. It reminds me how Al and I are from two different worlds. Al reaches over and takes her jacket and hangs it on a hook by the front door.
“Hey, Al.” Ethan walks up to us. “Did you know my auntie is a bull rider? I got to watch her today in the barn. She’s amazing,” he says, and my cheeks turn crimson.
Al gives him a knowing look. “Your auntie is pretty special,” he says openly, which means everyone heard the comment. The room falls silent as everyone’s attention is trained on Al and me.
“My brother sure knows how to silence a room.” Izzy chuckles, rolling her eyes at her brother. She looks like she must be my age. Their sibling banter teaches me more about him. “How can I help?” she asks.
“No need to help. We need to eat now before half the town stops by and we won’t get to taste all that food,” Papa interrupts with his domineering voice. Every Christmas when it gets later into the evening, friends house hop. It’s a fun way to pass the night.
Mack and Autumn put on their oven mitts and slowly unload the oven while I prepare all the cold foods. Ethan helps me by taking the cold platters to the table, which is basically our kitchen table with a couple of added extensions to make it bigger. At least we have the tree in view which makes for nice scenery and a festive feel. We sit at the table and wait for Papa to say grace, which he does only once a year. On Christmas. Only this year he looks to Al and asks him to do it, which throws me off. My father left town riding Al’s ass. Now he seems to be buddy buddy with him. What the fuck?
Al looks wide eyed then bows his head and places his interlaced hands on the table. “Oh yeah, okay,” he mumbles. “I want to give thanks for the food at our table. I hope this year will be a good year for the Belmont Ranch. I’m thankful to be spending time with a family that loves each other. I want to say thank you for including me in your holiday. Amen,” he murmurs then looks up to see who’s watching him. We all have eyes on him. Something tells me he’s never done that before.
“Thanks, Al.” Papa nods. “Let’s dig in,” he says, and we all enjoy a Christmas dinner filled with laughter and chatter.
My interactions with Al stay to a minimum. When it’s time to clean up, everyone chips in, but Ethan wants to play a game on the floor next to the Christmas tree, so I tell Autumn and Mack to go ahead and I’ll clean up on my own. Al is nowhere to be seen, and Papa sits on the recliner, drinking a beer and watching them play.
Izzy comes up to me. “Let me help you,” she says, and it’s sincere. I agree to it and wash the dishes while she dries and stacks them.
“Thanks for letting me hang with you guys. You have such a great family.” She smiles.
“Thanks.” I smile too and continue to wash while she dries.
“Al went all big brother on me earlier. He didn’t approve of my boyfriend, and well … he asked him to leave my house,” she explains, and I can see she’s embarrassed.
“He did what?” I ask, surprised. “I mean why would Al do that? It’s rude.” I shake my head, wondering what kind of man Al is.
“No, I mean well …” She giggles. “I sometimes don’t have the best taste in men. Al saw Tristan for what he is the second he laid eyes on him. I don’t always see what I should … I don’t know. I mean … our family is kind of messed-up. I don’t know what he’s told you. I don’t have a father to watch out for me like you do,” she says, and my stomach sinks. Papa has never been a hands-on parent, but he cares in his own way. “Anyway, I’m rambling. I didn’t have anyone to be with tonight, so thanks again.”
“Please … don’t thank me. It was our pleasure.” With all the dishes washed, I continue to clean the suds out of the sink. “What’s going to happen with the guy? I mean is he leaving?”
“I don’t know. He was high when we left, so he couldn’t drive. I hope he’ll be gone by morning or else I fear my brother will kick his ass out the door.” She chuckles. “I’ve seen Al get all protective over me before, but he was fuming tonight,” she says. I could tell that he was in an off mood all throughout dinner.
“If you need a place to stay, you’re more than welcome to stay here tonight. All the rooms are full, but we can set you up on the couch,” I offer.
“Thank you. I may take you up on it. It wouldn’t be comfortable to head home now if Tristan is still there, which I’m guessing he is.” She gives me a sorrowful look. “I’ll go join that game.” She points to Mack, Autumn, and Ethan on the floor. I nod and head back to my room. I find Al staring up at the ceiling, looking gloomy.
“You’re supposed to be happy. It’s Christmas.” I smile and sit on the edge of the bed.
“You’re talking to me,” he says, but it isn’t a question.
“What of it? I just wanted to see if you’re okay. Izzy told me a little about what went down at her place,” I say, not wanting to prod too much.
“Yeah, it’s pretty messed-up. The guy was high off his ass on coke,” he says, and my heart stammers. It’s more serious than I thought. “My sister doesn’t always make the best choices, and she was feeling alone. I hate to think what she might have gotten herself into had I not come along. I feel like a self-absorbed prick,” he admits, and it throws me off a little.
My lips press together. “You may be all those things, but tonight you were her savior,” I say, and he just looks at me like I’m an angel or something.
“That’s nice of you to say, but I’ve made mistakes. I need to fix … certain aspects of my life.” He sighs, taking a long exhale.
“Don’t we all.” I fall back on a pillow beside him. We lie there quietly, staring at the yellowing ceiling while contemplating life.
I hear Kell’s voice from the family room. She stops by every year with Gage and Theo.
“Kell’s here,” I say into the dark room. “I better go to her.”
“Yeah, I’ll be there in a minute,” he says solemnly, and I fall for him just a little more. He isn’t perfect by any means. He’s got issues, I can see that, but he also wants to learn from his mista
kes too, and the way he cares for his sister is endearing. I’m so fucked. “Does it mean you want me here?” he asks, and my heart stops.
“I don’t know,” I answer honestly, and even in the dark room, I see the disappointment painted on his face. I step out of the room and head back to the family room to greet Kell and Gage.
“Merry Christmas,” Kell cheers and she leans in to give me a hug. She places Theo on the floor and Mack, Autumn, and Ethan are instantly attracted to playing with him and making him laugh. I give Gage a hug when I hear what sounds like a beer bottle clambering outside. I give him a questioning look. He stares back apologetically. “Gage what’s going on?” I ask.
He purses his lips together before he speaks. “Blake came by our place earlier. Had a fight with my mom and ate dinner with us. He was drunk and Kell didn’t trust leaving him in the house. She thought he’d rip things up,” he explains.
“So you brought him here?” My heart beats at a staccato. “I hate saying this, but you should leave now.” Kell and Gage are like a sister and brother to me, but I need Blake gone. Especially if he’s drunk. He can be volatile. In my mind, I’m kicking myself for not getting back to him. This is probably his way of checking out what is going on over here with Al.
“Okay, we’re outta here. Kell,” Gage says to her and gives her a look that says let’s split now. Kell’s lips turn down.
“Sorry, I wanted to see Mack, Autumn, and Ethan before they leave.” She grabs Theo off the floor. They are about to leave when Blake walks through the front door.
“You shouldn’t be here,” I snap. He gives me a look that says he doesn’t give a shit.
“I shouldn’t be here.” He points to himself. “But he should be here.” He points behind me, and I realize Al is standing there. Fuck me.
“Blake, please. It’s a bad time. Leave,” I demand, but he’s drunk. He is a messy drunk. His eyes land on Ethan and then on me. He looks at Mack. He hasn’t seen Mack for a long time. She hates him.
Mr. So Wrong Page 16
