Page 77 of Late to Love

“Fine, Mom. Thanks.”

Dad finally releases the twins and shoots me a cheerful grin. “Anthony!” But he doesn’t step forward for a hug. Just nods and smiles.

It hurts more than it should.

Charlotte and Darcy appear on the periphery, and after Charlotte says her hellos, Mom looks expectantly at all of us to figure out who the extra woman in our circle is.

“This is Darcy,” is all I say.

Hurt flashes across Darcy’s face, but she covers it as she holds out a hand to shake theirs. “I never took your classes, Mr. Hall, but I remember you well.”

Dad chuckles. “Ah, one of the lucky ones, huh?”

She smiles, and I can see just how fake it is. “Something like that.” When her gaze darts to mine, clearly wondering why the hell I’m not saying what she means to me to them, all I can do is grind my teeth. They don’t deserve her sunshine.

Makes no damn sense, but I just…don’t want to share her with them. I don’t want to share my happiness with them.

Jesus, I sound like an ass when I say that. Is that really what I think? I don’t know.

I excuse myself, but no one really seems to notice. Andthat’sthe reason, right there. I could probably run around in a purple gorilla suit and they’d not notice, as wrapped up as they are in each other.

Darcy makes herself scarce, too, and I deserve nothing less. When Ox finds me to bring out the cake—because I’m the one who knows where it is, not because I should be included in the celebrations—I do my best to put on a show. It’s not about me, I know that. My parents are happy. Healthy. Living in a house that Levi bought them. They’re loved by so many people in our community.

The cake is delicious, made by yet another local former student of Dad’s, but it turns to ash in my mouth as Ox asks Reid to take a picture of just him and Levi with Mom and Dad.

“Anthony! Get in here!” Mom calls.

I ignore her, turning to leave.

“Anthony,” comes another call, only this time it’s in the unmistakable growl of Levi. The fuck if I care. He calls my name again, and I keep walking.

“What in the fuck is your problem?” His hand flicks the back of my arm as I charge around the corner, away from the prying eyes of the partygoers.

“Nothing.”

“Bullshit,” he shoots back. “Look at me and tell me what’s got you so worked up.”

“It doesn’t matter,” I say, steeling my voice. And it really doesn’t. I could tell them all, explain that I was tired of always being an afterthought, even though I was the first fucking born. That for just one day, I’d enjoy being someone that they were all proud of instead of being the one they squinted their eyes about and pretended to be excited that I’d opened a gaming hall.

“You need to go back out there and apologize to Mom.”

I bark out a laugh. “Absolutely not.”

Levi steps closer. “That woman sacrificed everything for us?—”

“Yeah, yeah. Blah blah, I know, Levi. Iknow.I was there. I was there the whole fucking time—not that any of you seem to remember that little fact.”

“Oh, what kind of bullshit are you talking about?” Levi drawls, his eyes flashing. “Don’t tell me you’rejealous.”

“Of you?” I scoff. “Hardly.”

He steps into my space, sneering. “Then get the fuck back out there and tell our mother that you’re sorry.”

“Fuck off,” I seethe. And I know I shouldn’t, but this asshole has pushed me too fucking far. I use my height to my advantage, jerking my shoulders back and pushing my chest out to force him back.

It’s enough to make him snap, and he’s cocking his fist back and sending it swinging towards me before I can process he’s truly done it.

His fist slams into my cheek, and pain—beautiful, easily identifiable pain—blooms as my head jerks back.

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