Page 159 of Two-Step
He snorts. “And why would she if you just ignore and humiliate her.”
Humiliate her?
A slimy, cold ball forms in the pit of my stomach.
“She said she was humiliated?”
“SHE DIDN’T HAVE TO!” he bellows.
I’m not afraid of my uncle. I never have been. But the fact that he’s taking up for the woman I love sends a river of unease through my veins. Because he shouldn’t be the one looking out for her.
That’s my job.
But I’m not wrong about this. Iamlooking out for her. I shake off the feeling and meetNoncsquare in the eye.
“She’s doing what she wants, living the life she wants,” I defend. “She’s happy—”
“She’s brokenhearted. Just like you. And it’s all your fault.”
Each sentence lands like a punch in my gut, and I have to brace to keep from doubling over. It’s true. Everything he said is true.
“You’re right,” I admit, guilt burning like bile in my throat. “But you—better than anyone—know that I can’t do anything about that.”
“Bullshit.”
My brows shoot up along with my spine. He may be pissed at me, but my patience is gone. I know all of this is my fault, but I also know it’s what I have to live with.
“I made the right decision,Nonc.I can’t leave Mom, and I refuse to let Iris walk away from her career,” I growl. “I won’t bethat man.”
Nonc’ssmug grin makes me want to deck him. “You’re afraid of turning into Grant? Of makin’ his mistakes? Beau, you couldn’t be him if you tried. No way you’re makin’ his mistakes. You’re too busy makin’ a shit ton of your own.”
I glare at him. “Just what, exactly, do you expect me to do?”
“GO TO HER!” he bellows again.
My laugh is derisive. If only it were that simple. “Don’t you think I want to? Don’t you think I’mdyingto be with her?”
Noncthrows up his hands and shakes his snowy white head. “You’re not acting like it. Acting like it would look like selling that box on wheels you call a home, buying a plane ticket, and gettin’ the hell out of here.”
I shake my head, jaw locked tight. “Iwon’tleave Mom,” I swear. “I can’t do that to her.”
My uncle’s eyes bug like he’s deranged. “You think she’d choose this for you? Loneliness and heartbreak? You think she’d want you to give up someone like Iris?”
I remember the look on Mom’s face when I first told her about Iris. And her smile later when I showed her a few pictures.
She’d been happy for me.
I can’t deny that, but it doesn’t mean that leaving her would be the right choice.
“If things were different—”
“That’s not how life works. Trust me on this one, Beau.” His eyes pierce me. “I let the woman I love—the only one I’ve ever loved—get away from me too many times. Do you know how many years I wasted thinkingif only things were different?”
I scoff. I love Aunt Lorraine. Truly. But she and my uncle have always run hot and cold. It’s hard to take him seriously.
“You think I should take relationship advice fromyou?”
Again, that deranged glare returns. “Yes! I’m your cautionary tale,” he booms.
