Page 112 of Sweeper
“My behavior to you yesterday was shitty.” I pause and dig into the pocket of my jeans for some money. I stick a bill in the swear jar as I continue, “I was rude and dismissive. You didn’t deserve any of that. And I’m really sorry for pushing you on the sidelines like I did. That was completely out of line.”
Booker’s nose wrinkles as he waves me off. “It was nothing.”
“I’ve given Tanner at least three black eyes,” Camden interjects with a laugh. “The last one was just a few years ago.”
“It was a cheap shot.” Tanner harrumphs, touching his cheekbone like it still hurts.
Camden rolls his eyes. “He had it coming.”
“Worth it.” A lopsided smile spreads across Tanner’s face.
I nod and smile, grateful for the olive branch they’re offering me, but this is just the beginning of my apology tour. “Well, I appreciate that, but I’d like to apologize to all of you for not being honest from the jump,” I say, my hands turning to fists beside my teacup. “I knew there was a possible connection here before I was even transferred to Bethnal Green, and it was deceitful of me to walk amongst you all without sharing that information.”
“It can’t have been an easy thing to open up about,” Gareth says, his voice deep as his eyes stare directly into mine. “Not sure how I would have handled it.”
“We’re a forgiving family,” Vaughn interjects, his face sincere. “We’ve all been through a lot after losing Vilma when the kids were so young. I didn’t handle it well and needed all of my kids to forgive me for one thing or another.”
They all nod in agreement, but I still feel a vibe from Booker that’s not at all forgiving.
“So, you’re our brother,” Vi proclaims with a laugh, covering her mouth nervously.
“Half brother, yeah,” I correct, feeling weird saying it out loud at last.
She smiles, and her eyes blink rapidly. “Why the bloody hell couldn’t you have been a sister?”
She throws her hands upward like she’s cursing the gods above, and everyone breaks into genuine laughter at the table, including me. It feels good. It’s broken the ice that was melting way too slowly beneath our feet.
“I’m afraid I didn’t get much say in the matter,” I reply with a shrug. “I just find it incredible that I grew up loving soccer without any knowledge of any of you.”
“Football,” Vi adds with a wink.
“It’s in our blood,” Camden states, watching me thoughtfully as Tanner nods in agreement.
Vi touches my arm to bring my attention back to her. “Is it true your mum and our mum were close when they were in college?”
I nod slowly. “Yeah, that’s what she said. I don’t know a lot about their friendship, but she was at Vaughn and your mom’s wedding.”
“Wow,” Vi gasps with a wobbly smile.
“And the funeral,” I offer, and then curse myself when the mood in the room shifts instantly. I say the only thing that comes to mind next. “I lost my dad a little over a year ago, so I know a bit about how that feels.”
Vi nods, and her eyes bend with emotion before she quietly asks, “Do you think your mum would like to have a chat with me sometime?” She offers me a shaky smile. “We were all so young when our mum passed, which means we’re painfully desperate for stories about her.”
Vi’s voice cracks at the end and tears fill her eyes. I feel a bit stunned by that unexpected request, and I glance around the table to see all four of the brothers’ eyes locked on me as they await my answer. It’s then that I realize that I too can give something to this family. Or at least my mother can.
“I’m sure she’d love to share stories about your mom,” I respond with a smile. “She said that she was on a private jet that Vaughn booked for your mom to come to one of his matches at Man U just after they’d met.”
“Really?” Vi says with a garbled laugh and turns her attention to her dad.
“My God, I’d completely forgotten I did that,” Vaughn replies, his face awestruck with red-rimmed eyes.
“She’s heading back to Boston soon, but maybe we can do a dinner before she leaves,” I offer, and Vi’s returning smile is heartwarming.
Camden clears his throat. “How weird is all of this for you?”
“Crazy weird,” I rush out, and he nods. “And I want you all to know that I don’t expect anything from any of you. I’m honestly just grateful I don’t have to live with this secret anymore. It was eating me alive.”
They all give me looks of sympathetic understanding.
