“He drank all the time. More than I think the family realized. Tiffany was constantly complaining at the family dinners I went to that he drank too much.”
“Yeah. So?” Jonah bit out and yanked his arm out of his friend’s hold.
“I’m just sayin’ if he’s an alcoholic and got help this past year, then maybe you oughta give him a little bit of your time now and again. Allow the family dinners with both of you there. Start small. You love your brother and I know you miss him…”
“He fucked my wife.”
“And she fucked him. That says a lot about where she was at in your marriage. And worse, she blamed it on you. Never took the fall for her actions. Never apologized. From what I’m hearing, that’s all Luca’s doing.”
“What are you trying to say? That I’m being unreasonable?” Jonah sneered.
I watched while Ryan eased back against his chair, wiped his mouth, and crossed his arms. The man’s blond hair was a bit ruffled but sexy as ever. His jawline had a good two days of scruff that absolutely added to his appeal and his light eyes were searing with intensity. I so needed to get him around my sisters again when they weren’t worried about my safety. See if nature could take its course with one of them. Though Blessing was my first choice.
“No, I don’t think you are. Though I do think it’s time you took the first step toward healing your family. You love Luca. I know you better than I know anyone, Jonah. You’ve been a little lost this past year without him in your life.”
“I was dealing with losing him and ending a seven-year marriage. I had a lot on my mind.”
“And obviously during that time he was taking the very hard steps toward healing the divide. Getting help for alcoholism is not easy. I watched one of my parents go through it. It was brutal. Nothing but hills and valleys, highs and lows, but eventually he came out on top and it sounds as though your brother is trying to get there as well, by making amends. Admitting he has a problem. Staying sober the last year. I’m not saying that what you went through wasn’t hell on earth because I know it was, I was there during it. What I’m saying is that people do change if they want to. If they put the work in. And if he’s changed, I’d hope you were the kind of man I know you to be, and could find a way to forgive him, or at the very least allow him back into your heart and the family fold.”
Jonah clamped his mouth shut and I could tell he was clenching his teeth by how hard his jaw was, the skin stretched tight over his chin.
“I’ll think on it,” Jonah finally stated, rather low and under his breath.
“That’s all I can ask. And let me know if you need an ear to bend. You know I’m here.” His gaze swept to mine. “Though it looks like you’ve got a new source to share with too.”
Jonah looped an arm across my shoulders, leaned to the side, and kissed my temple. “Yeah, I do, but it never hurts to get hit with the honesty from my best friend.” He held his other hand out and Ryan clapped it and held it for a moment before letting go and standing.
“Hate to eat and run, but I’ve gotta get back. The coroner is doing an all-nighter. The case is leaking to the media and it’s a nightmare out there with the connection to Senator Wright. She already has a lot of play in the media for being a looker and the youngest female Senator in history not to mention her having a unique take on politics as an Independent. Now her sister is entangled with a serial murderer.”
“Damn. I haven’t been following the media or watching anything on the news. It usually bums me out to be honest. I had no idea Sonia was dealing with more because of me.” I sat back in my chair and pressed my fists to my eyes. “I wish I could just wake up tomorrow and it all be over.”
Ryan took his plate and as he walked by, he ruffled my hair. “Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered, girl.”
I pushed my food around the plate, melancholy and sadness drifting over me like a black cloud.