Page 124 of The Fast Lane

“I tried to call you. You need to come. It’s Abe and your father.”

FIFTY-TWO

Note to self:

First, the truth.

Then, the pie.

I could hear the yelling before we’d even reached the room. Dad and Abe, both of their voices raised in anger. I was immediately transported back to when I was a teenager, and they’d go at it constantly.

“What happened?”

Mack shook his head. “Your dad got upset because Abe had too much to drink last night. He started laying into him about how his choices affect Hallie now. One thing led to another. Same argument, different day.”

As a kid, I would have never waded into the middle of one of their arguments. But now? Now I would not lose my brother again. Even when that meant telling the truth about everything. Even if that meant my parents’ anger. Or worse, their disappointment.

“Where’s Hallie?”

“With Frankie and Ruth.”

“Okay.” I knocked. Then I knocked louder. I wished Theo were here with me; that strong, quiet way of his always made me feel better. But Theo might be moving to Chicago, and I probably shouldn’t depend on his presence. My chest squeezed painfully.

One thing at a time, Ramos.

Dad ripped the door open.

“What?” But when he saw it was me, he smiled although it didn’t hide the anger in his eyes. “What do you need, honey?”

“Everything okay in there?” I leaned to the side to see who was in the room.

“Your mother and I are talking to your brother.”

Mom didn’t seem to be doing any of the talking, but whatever. “I want to come in.”

“It’s not a good time,” he said, a mulish expression on his face.

But two could play that game. I crossed my arms and shot back the same stubborn look. “That’s too bad. I want to be here.”

He glared at me for a long beat and must have seen I was serious. “Fine.”

Mack touched my shoulder. “You okay?”

I nodded, hoping I looked more confident than I felt. “Yeah, I’m going to be okay.”

“Of course you will.” Mack pressed a kiss to my cheek before turning around and heading back down the hallway, Karen trotting at his heels.

I breezed past Dad. Mom was perched on the bed, hands twisting in her lap. Tears stained her cheeks, but she gave me a trembling smile. I sat next to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

Abe stood by the window, shoulders slumped, staring off into the distance. Probably wishing he were back in Denver about now.

“Happy now? You got your sister involved in this,” Dad said, his tone harsh.

“Dad.” Abe sounded defeated.

“Don’t ‘dad’ me. You’re a father now. You don’t get to go out and get drunk and forget your kid.”

“I didn’t forget her. I already told you that. She was with Mack all night.” Abe turned around to face Dad. “Why can’t we ever just talk to each other? Why does it always end up with someone yelling? I can’t do this anymore. I’m not a child; I’m an adult. I have a business, a house, a kid. Maybe you and me, we’re not meant to have a relationship.”