Page 58 of Hot Shot
“Sorry. I’m projecting. I’m the one who’s likely to throw up.”
“No throwing up in my house, Branton Lattimer.” Larissa Watts slips her arm around my waist for a side hug. “Now when will the steaks be ready? I’ve got loaded potatoes ready to bake but they’re best served hot out of the oven.”
“Give us ten, then put them in. That will give us time to crack a second beer.” Andrew grins.
“Might be best to pass on the second beer. I’m opening a bottle of red to go with dinner.”
“Oh, we’re bringing out the good stuff?”
“Always do when one of my babies comes home. And tonight I’ve got two of them under my roof.”
Blake
Bran has barely touched his dinner. He’s sampled everything but nothing more than a bite or two of each has passed his lips.
Leaning over I whisper, “Not hungry?”
“No.” The look he gives me makes me want to wrap my arms around him and tell him it’ll be okay. And while I believe that, I’m sure things are going to be rocky before they’re okay.
“Should I put that in the fridge for you, Branton?” Mom asks. “In case you get hungry later.”
“I… Yes, but I can do it.” He pushes back from the table and picks up his plate. “Can I clear anyone else’s?”
“We’ll do it later. Why don’t you grab that second bottle of wine off the counter on your way back? I think another glass for everyone might get us through the next few minutes.” Mom’s smile is small, a gentle curve of her lips, and her eyes are full of worry, compassion.
I want to wrap my arms around her too. I want to protect the big man next to her as well.
If I could, I’d travel back in time and slap both my brothers upside the head. Knock some sense into them before they did a stupid thing and both fucked Celeste.
“Okay. I’ll be right back.”
When Bran is out of earshot, Dad leans over the table and asks, “How bad?”
Shrugging, I try to offer a smile but I know it falls short of being reassuring. “Bad-ish. And good.”
“What kind of answer is that?”
“It’s the one I’ve got.”
“Okay, tell me, do I need to go out and take care of someone?”
“No. They—” Shaking my head, I rethink my words. I don’t want to reveal anything. It’s Bran’s story to tell. “He needs you to listen and understand why he did what he did. And I need you to remember he removed himself from life the last few years to punish himself for what happened.”
“I hid away because I’m a coward.” Bran’s voice has us all swinging around.
I have no idea how long he’s been standing there and as much as I want to apologize for talking about him, I won’t. I said nothing I wouldn’t say in front of him. “You are not a coward.”
“I agree. Sometimes things take a while for us to understand, to work out, and some things require a long time to do it.”
“I appreciate the words, Larissa, but when it comes down to it, I was hiding so I wouldn’t have to face this. And to keep what was never mine a little longer.”
“I think you better sit down and explain.” Dad indicates Bran’s chair and holds out his hand. “Give me the wine, I’ll pour while you talk.”
Sitting beside me again, Bran reaches for my hand and grips it tight. “I woke after a party one weekend with Celeste in bed with me. I didn’t remember the night before so when she said we slept together I had no choice but to believe her.”
“You sound like you shouldn’t have,” Dad interrupts.
“I’m getting to that,” Bran says as I say, “Let him talk.”
