The front door slams, and children’s voices fill the air.
I hear Erin tell Sasha to pick up his toy truck as they disappear up the stairs. Maybe we’ve been in the kitchen for a while, or maybe she cut the meal short. I don’t know, and I don’t care. I can hear another adult’s voice and recognize it as Kara’s, but I need to ignore all that since Demyan’s flinging around accusations like they’re candy.
“What’s that mean?” I ask and take a deep breath.
He sneers. “What do you think it means?”
“If you’re trying to tell me Ilya’s a player, that’s not only rich, but a lie.” I pin him with a stare. “It’s rich because you used tofuck anyone and anything, and you ran the moment they wanted anything like commitment?—”
“That’s an exaggeration.”
“And what you’re saying to me isn’t?” I ask. “You say that Ilya’s like this, which he isn’t because I know him. But you say he’s like that, so let’s say he is. Don’t you think he might see me as different, like you did with Erin?”
“Well—”
“Or am I just not worth it?”
He narrows his eyes. “Don’t put words in my mouth. I’m saying he saw a grieving woman and took advantage. He’s not what you think.”
“Ilya’s exactly what I think. Another gem, like Max. And it’s been two years. Am I meant to wear veils and dress in black and mourn for the rest of my life? Because you know what? I will. But I’ll also love again, and that’s what Ilya is. Love. He’s the real deal.”
My brother flinches.
“I fell for him because I know him, and as the harsh, dark grief passed, I saw what was there. A chance, one most people don’t get once, let alone twice. He’s amazing, and I’m lucky to have caught his eye.”
“Stop that. And grow up.” He stalks past me to the freezer, pulls out the vodka, pours himself a glass, takes a sip, and sets it down. “Just…grow up.”
“Yougrow up,” I say quietly. “The truth is, Ilya was a gentleman, and I pushed. That’s the truth. I wore down his barriers because I see what he is, and I know my own mind and feelings, and yeah, it was hard to let go of the guilt?—”
“See?”
“—but I did. And I love him, and Demyan? Ilya loves me, too. Everyone’s beyond happy about this. In fact, the only person who has a problem with it is you.”
“I’m looking out for you. Nothing else. No agenda. Unlike him.”
“Him? Ilya’s your best friend, a brother to you, and you’re an ass.”
“You’re ungrateful, and you’re sullying the memory of Max.”
My head snaps back.
“Demyan…” That’s Erin.
My head swims. My stomach swirls like rough seas.
He’s saying something about how he didn’t mean it, and she’s telling him off, and…
And.
No.
I can’t.
No.
I stumble back, out of the room and through the foyer.
“Alina!” Erin comes after me.
