Page 66 of Paths
“Okay,” I agree and take her hand to let her lead me to her brother. “Just don’t leave me alone—Vanessa will corner me just to glare at me some more.”
With that, her laugh echoes through the paneled walls and marble floors.
All I can do is think about dinner, and for once, I’m not thinking about the food.
Chapter 18 – I Settled
Grady –
After leading me through long hallways decorated with more Christmas shit, we finally reach the library. And it’s just that—a huge fucking library with books lining the walls from floor to ceiling. The minute we step through the double doors, Maya screams and tears her hand out of mine, running to her brother. She throws herself in his arms and he catches her, only stumbling back a step or two.
Joe is lanky and taller than Maya by a few inches. Even though his hair is darker than hers, they share the same light blue eyes, and it’s clear to see they’re related.
I lean back into the leather sofa as I watch her with her brother. She talks about Joe a lot. I can tell they’re close. I understand why she was so upset to find out he’s had multiple seizures in the last few months and needed to see him. I guess it was so serious, he withdrew from his classes at St. John’s in Brooklyn, where he’s in his junior year.
Joe’s seven years younger than her. Maya said he was probably an accident—as her mother isn’t the mothering type. It’s why she felt the need to see for herself that he was okay, especially after not talking to him for months.
We’ve been talking to Joe for almost two hours, and Maya has grilled him on everything from doctor appointments to his medication. Joe gave her the lowdown—how he had two episodes at school before their dad forced him to come home, and how he thought he was doing okay until he had another just last week. He wasn’t happy about leaving school, complaining about having to be home, but since he’s been back he’s been working with a medical response dog that will soon be with him full-time.
He finally puts a stop to her line of questioning, and leans back in his chair across from where we’re sitting. “Was it that bad? That you had to run away?”
She leans into my side since I have my arm thrown over the back of the sofa behind her. She looks down to her hands before back to her brother. “I left, didn’t I? I don’t want to get into it now. I can’t.”
He looks from his sister to me and tips his head curiously. “How did you meet my sister?”
I shrug my bum shoulder that’s feeling almost back to normal. “She’s my physical therapist.”
He narrows his eyes. “How long have you known each other?”
“A few—” Maya starts to answer, but I interrupt.
“A while.” I look down at Maya and I can tell she’s trying to hide the surprise in her eyes. “It’s hard to believe, huh?” I tighten my arm around her, pulling her to me and look back to Joe. “The days fly by.”
Joe nods and looks to his sister inquisitively, speaking directly to her. “Not that I mind, Weston’s an asshole. I’ve been trying to tell you that for the last couple years, but the jury’s still out on this guy. I know nothing about him.”
I hold up a conciliatory hand, and add, “I’m not perfect, but I’m also not his brand of asshole. That, you don’t have to worry about.”
She gives me a small smile before looking back to Joe. “We’re still new.”
“We’re not that new,” I counter.
She sighs, shaking her head and looks back to her brother. “You know mom invited all the MacLachlans for dinner?”
Joe shakes his head. “I’d ask why the fuck she’d do that, but I’m not surprised, and you shouldn’t be, either. She grilled me when I told her you were bringing someone. She wouldn’t give up, so I told her I know nothing about your new guy. Tonight should be fun.”
Maya brings her fingers to her temples, looking pained. “I can’t even think about it.”
“Hey,” I give her a squeeze. “It’ll be over soon.”
Joe looks at his watch. “Sorry, I have a meeting with my new dog and the K-9 trainer. She won’t be ready for a couple months, but having her means I can go back to school next year. And she’ll be a chick magnet, not that I have a problem in that department.” He grins before adding, “I guess I’ll see you at the dinner from hell.”
“Yeah, we’ll see you for cocktails,” Maya mocks her mother and gets up to hug Joe. When she lets him go, she adds, “Whatever you can do to divert the attention away from me tonight, I’d appreciate it.”
Joe grins, and by the look on his face, I’d say he’s looking forward to it. “Maybe tonight will be fun. I love a chance to piss off mom.” He looks from Maya to me and instantly loses his smile. “You’d better not be an asshole.”
“Stop it.” She says as he leaves.
I grab her hand and ask, “You feel better now that you saw him?”
