Page 122 of Really Truly Yours

He’s quiet uncharacteristically long. At last, he slowly releases one of his boyish grins. “No need to get all mushy on me, Neenee.”

Um, apparently there is. Both of us have been tending our grievances long enough. “I want you to know I’m proud of you, Sam David. You work hard, and you’re making something of yourself.” I can’t help the sigh I feel to my core. “That’s a big deal in our family.”

He takes my hand, nearly squeezing the life out of it. “Thanks, Sydnee. That means a lot from you.”

Sam’s U-turn to seriousness comes as a surprise. My heart takes the stinger. Turns out I’ve been the neglectful sibling. Of course Sam needs to hear those things no less so than I.

“So. Enough of that junk.” He backs up to the bar and leans. “I hate doing this, but there is a reason I came by, and, coincidentally…it also has to do with Max.” He ruffles the longish hair behind his neck. “He called me again. His hearing is on Wednesday.” Sam looks me in the eye. “He asked me to send a letter in support.”

The solidarity of the past moments vaporizes, because I read between the pinched lines on my brother’s face. “You’re doing it, aren’t you?”

“Please, hear me out.”

I spin toward the window.

“He’s changed.”

So help me, I snort like a crazy bull seeing red.

“He has! We’ve talked multiple times over the last couple years. I promise you, he’s not the same guy, Nee.”

I don’t believe this. Just when I’m starting to get my life back on track. When I’m starting to believe I can have a future better than the past that formed me.

I pace to the far side of the living room. My gaze finds the printed manuscript on the bottom shelf of my bookcase. I started editing it months ago, eventually stopping because I didn’t see the point. Couldn’t believe things could be different for me, a Carson. I was about to pick it up again and shoot for the moon.

Max will get out. I know how these things work. “You say he’s changed, Sam, but he’s never said anything to me.” And after what he did…

“He wants to, Neenee, but he’s been afraid to call. He knows you don’t want to talk to him.”

I whip my head up. “He’s never even said he was sorry!”

“Yes. He has. Every phone call, every letter, for the last two years!”

I snort again. “He’s always been the consummate liar.”

“True enough, but look at it this way. For two years, he talks to me. Me, the guy who made him drink milkshakes for two months. Why? Because he knows I was right—and that he was dead wrong.”

The argument hits a tender spot. Okay, sounds great and all, but I refuse to be a fool. “Yeah, well, nice, except you’re not the one who testified for the prosecution at his sentencing.” Max’s resentment of me was longstanding—and then I testified against him and sealed the deal. I’ll never forget his malicious glare in that courtroom.

“He’s over that, too, Sydnee. Again, he gets it now.”

My face is so tight it hurts. “Guess we’ll soon find out, won’t we?”

Sam’s dramatic sigh flutters my conscience. He stands straight. “I gotta go. Tara is waiting on me.” He stops at the door and fishes something from his pocket. Unfolding it, he lays it on the breakfast table and tries to smooth the wrinkles with his palm. “Here’s the invoice for your car and a list of everything we did to it. For your records.” He smiles, a little sad. “I love you, Neenee. I do.”

The tears sting again. “I love you, too, Sam.”

Even if, once more, the men in my family are hellbent on destroying me.

Chapter 26

Sydnee

The bright morning has lost its glow.

Two steps forward with Sam, one and a half back. Not questioning his love and concern anymore isn’t the same as believing he’s right about Max. And I’m the one who’s going to pay the price if he’s wrong. Again.

I pull open the refrigerator and stare. Yogurt? Maybe.

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