I threw out a hand and moved to my conclusion.
“If I’m willing to lose Ren for this, the man I love, the man who loves me, the man I fell in love with the first night we met, then I’m willing to do anything for this. In other words, you won’t talk me out of it. But because I love you all and respect you, I’ll listen to what you have to say.”
After that, I shut up.
Dad looked at Mom.
Mom only had eyes for me.
“Maybe you and me can go into the kitchen, get you a drink and have a chat,” Mom suggested gently.
This meant she wanted to ascertain just how cut up I was about ending things with Ren.
I had no intention of going there. Not until I was alone with a bottle of tequila.
“I have things to do tonight, so thanks Mom, but that’s gonna be a no,” I replied.
“I’m thinkin’ we should delay this meeting until you’re in a better state of mind, honey.” This came from Hank and it was also suggested gently.
I looked to him and saw his expression was just as gentle.
My brother was awesome. Both of them were.
Still, I shook my head. “I’m thinking we should get this over with.”
“You, Hank and me, we’re going to The Hornet,” Lee stated and I looked at him. “And I’m calling Indy.”
This meant he was worried about me and didn’t want to discuss my career path, but wanted to call in reinforcements (namely Indy) who could see to my broken heart while he and Hank paid for tequila shooters.
See?
Awesome.
“Thanks, bro, but that’s also a no,” I whispered.
“Sweetheart—” Dad started, and my eyes got instantly hot just hearing that word.
When you’re a kid and a girl, dads had superpowers. They could heal any hurt, usually with a word said just like that one. Or, if shit was extreme, if he added a hug, it would all go away.
My dad’s superpowers were finely honed.
But they didn’t extend to this kind of healing.
“No, Dad,” I whispered. I looked through my family and requested, “Can we please just get this done?”
“We’ll talk Monday,” Hank declared. “You come to Lee’s office. We’ll all be there.”
“Hank, we’re here. Why can’t we just do this now?” I asked.
“Because we’re not doing it now,” Lee said. “We’re doing it Monday. Five thirty. My office.”
I looked from one brother to the other.
Fuck.
“Fine,” I snapped. “Now I gotta go.” I looked through my brothers again and finished, “I’ll see you tomorrow at the rehearsal.”
“Ally, why don’t you stay and eat dinner with your dad and me?” Mom asked, and I looked to her.