Page 31 of Thorn Kiss
“I know I’m the worst brother in the world?—”
“Stop,” I said firmly, holding up my hand. “You know it’s not that. I’m glad you’re doing all of these things. I just . . . I just have to figure out how to change my weekend to account for her. I wish I would have had a heads up. I thought we talked about planning together more?”
“We did,” he said. “And I’m trying to get better. I swear I am, June. The therapy appointment tomorrow slipped my mind.”
“And you can’t take her to school in the morning?” I asked. “Or have her at home for the rest of the day? It’s Sunday. What are you even doing today?”
He raked his fingers through his sandy brown hair. “I picked up an extra shift at the store last minute.”
Which meant this was intentional.
“I just . . . I need a break. I’m not cut out to be a dad.”
“Well, you’re the only one she has.” It was harsh. I knew it was harsh. But, there were times that I felt like if I wasn’t tough on him, he wouldn’t pull himself together, and I’d be stuck picking everything up. It was one thing when it was school or work when we were younger, another thing when it came to raising a whole other human being. “You’re doing better. I know you are.”
He swallowed hard. “I haven’t had a drink in thirty-three days.”
I didn’t tell him I’d been marking the days on my calendar too. “I’m proud of you. I really am.”
Ethan’s eyes softened with a grimace. “I’ll get there, June. For Laura. For you. For myself too.”
He wasn’t trying to guilt trip me. I knew that logically. And yet, guilt sank its claws into my gut. I caved.
“I’ll take her to school tomorrow. She can stay the night.” I offered. “But I need you to pick her up tomorrow night. September is for mums and I’m already running myself ragged.I have orders pouring in and I don’t even know how I’m going to fill them all.”
Ethan breathed out in relief. “Great. I’ll pick her up tomorrow.”
I knew he cared about me. I knew that. But I was certain he hadn’t heard a single word I’d said after I agreed I’d take Laura. “I need you to go through the Google Calendar and add all the meetings you’re going to, along with your therapy appointments. Please.”
“I’ll do that today,” he said firmly.
I really wanted to believe him. “Okay. Do you need help with anything else?”
“Nope,” he said. “I got it. I wish Mom was . . .”
“A decent human? A good grandmother? A good mother?”
He grimaced. “Yeah. I don’t trust her with Laura.”
“Good,” I quipped. I wouldn’t trust her with anything. As shitty as it was, I was glad my brother finally saw that part of her. For years, he was always babied, and I took the brunt of her dislike. “I know I get annoyed sometimes, but you can always leave Laura with me. I’d rather my life be harder than for her to have to be around Mom.”
“I know.” He cracked a smile, and for a second, I saw my brother. “She’s an old witch at this point.”
“One that hates me.”
“Hey, I think I’ve made my way onto her shit list. I’m not exactly the football star son she dreamed I’d become.”
“And I’m not the cheerleader she wished for.”
At that, we both smiled. Although we’d had problems over the last few years, that was one thing we could always agree on. Our mother was one of the worst mothers on the planet, and we both rather run ourselves into the ground before asking for her help. Not that she would ever help us, anyway.
“All right,” he sighed. “Thank you, June. You’re the best, as always.”
“I know I am.”
The door chimed and Laura appeared with a cup of coffee for me and remnants of chocolate on her mouth from what was undoubtedly a donut,nota croissant.
Ethan snorted and wiped it away with his hand, kissing the top of her head. “Aunt June is having you over tonight. I’ll pick you up tomorrow after school.”
