Page 28 of Riding the Pine

He throws me that lazy smile that makes my insides turn to mush. “Your mom makes such good food, this much is true.” He grins before patting his stomach.

There’s a crash of some kind in the kitchen, and we all look at each other in silence, waiting for the sound of screams or a confirmation all is okay. When all we get is more quiet, not another sound, Artemis slaps his palms on his thighs and stands, pointing at the door. “I’ll deal with…” He waves his hand. “That.”

I tuck my legs up under me, they’re in Scott’s direction, but the couch is so big our feet are still about a foot apart. There’s a deep and unhinged urge to brush my foot against his. I needcomfort, someone to tell me that this clusterfuck will be okay, to even tell me that it’s all in my head.

Scott must sense something’s off with me, or maybe the fact I can’t sit still gives me away. He doesn’t pause the movie; he barely looks my direction, but he bumps his foot against mine. “Want to talk about it?”

I don’t answer him right away, instead I stare at where his foot is still against mine and allow myself a moment to just lean into it.

His foot is strong, warm, and pressing against mine to get my attention. It’s not the bear hug I’m in desperate need of, but it’ll do.

I gnaw on the inside of my cheek. If I speak out loud here, there’s every chance my brothers will overhear, or worse, Mamá’s housekeeper. Camila is good friends with my Abuelita, her daughter, Claudia works part time at our family restaurant Guac ‘n’ Roll. If the gossip tree got hold of this information—or worse, Abuelita—my father’s body would be found floating face down in the Cedar River.

“I can’t,” I whisper under my breath. “The walls have ears.”

He digs out his phone from his butt pocket and points at it. “Text me, Bright Eyes. Whatever it is has you jittery, if you need to get it out, I’m here.”

A surge of unexpected emotion brews inside me, and my eyes fill with unshed tears as a lump appears in my throat. I roll my lips between my teeth, afraid a single noise of dismay from me may have my bloodhound brothers appear demanding to know what’s wrong with me.

Athena: You sure?

Gizmo: Absolutely. Hit me.

Athena: Okay.

He waits patiently as I take some slow and steady breaths, willing the shaking in my hands to subside.

Athena: I think my father has had an affair.

He goes stiff beside me but doesn’t take his eyes off the TV. In the kitchen, there’s a clattering of pots and pans telling me my brothers, or at least one of them, is alive and well.

Athena: I found a man who I think is my half-brother.

Scott hisses out a slow breath. And when I study his profile, there’s a muscle twitching in his jaw.

Gizmo: I don’t really know what to say to that, Bright Eyes. I’ve always looked up to your dad as a role model. I mean, he’s a mean old bastard, but he’s got his finger on the pulse of business and has made himself quite the fortune.

He’s still typing as I read but his big toe is now stroking along the arch of my foot, providing me with a shred of the comfort I need in this situation.

Gizmo: What are you going to do?

His toe presses harder into the muscles of my foot drawing a guttural moan from me.

Athena: I wanted to talk to Papá while I was here, but he’s not. I’m not bringing it to Mamá until I know for sure, I don’t want to upset her. And I don’t want my brothers on death row for murdering our father either.

I heave out a sigh, unsure of what I’m going to do next.

Athena: I guess maybe go talk to Mathias. I think that’s what his name is. See if he knows who his father is.

Scott shifts in his seat.

Gizmo: I’m not sure I like the idea of you going somewhere like that alone, Bright Eyes.

Athena: I’ll be okay. What’s the worst that could happen? Papá has made them sign an NDA, and they can’t tell me anything?

He’s quiet for an awfully long time before he starts typing again.

Gizmo: I’m still not sold, but I’ll support you. I’ll take you there if you’d like.

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