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Bronson steps closer. “Fuckin’ love you like a brother. But you’re bein’ a hell of a whiny little bitch these days.”
A harsh laugh falls from my mouth, and I open my eyes, but continue staring sightlessly at the ceiling. “Yeah? And when did you start havin’ Dr. Phil interventions?”
He knocks his shoulder against mine. “Fuck you.” But there’s no heat to his words. He lowers his voice, his tone thoughtful. “Red taught me a lot.”
“Yeah.” A faint smile tugs at my lips at the mention of his wife. “Think she taught us all a hell of a lot.”
“Mm. Ain’t that the truth.” A beat passes before he turns his too-perceptive stare on me. “You check in with Steve?”
“Yeah.” I scrub a hand over my face. “He said she’s doin’ okay. Good, even.”
Clearing my throat, my words come out raspy as I slide him a glance. “He didn’t mention anythin’ to me about…what you said happened when he first got there.” A layer of grit coats my eyes and my lungs constrict at the thought of Mac accepting her death. Again.
His voice is muted. “She’s not gonna come to you, you know. I can pretty much guaran-fuckin’-tee that.” With a slow shake of his head, he stares at the gym floor. “I know I sure as shit wouldn’t. No way in hell, not with all the fuckin’ guilt I’d have.”
The words pour out before I realize it. “How do I do it? How do I fuckin’ do it? How do I get over the fact that she killed my sister?”
A surge of grief-filled anger infuses my blood, and I fling my gloves against the wall, scraping my fingers through my hair.
“How the hell can I miss the woman who did that? How can I love—” My voice breaks on that word, and I clear my throat before quietly finishing. “The woman who killed Emilia?”
Bronson remains silent beside me for a long moment. Finally, he murmurs, “I guess you’ve gotta figure out if you love her enough to see past it. To separate that it wasn’t her intention, even if it was by her hand.
“If you love her enough, then you’ll realize that life without her doesn’t mean shit. But with her…” He trails off, and his mouth curves up in the way it only does at the mention of his wife. “With her, life is damn near fuckin’ perfect.”
65
MAC
Three months later
“Want me to bring you something back?”
Annalee’s face brightens. “Ooh, would you mind? I’d love one of Mammy’s burgers.”
“You got it.” When the girl pulls out a wrinkled wad of cash from her pocket, I wave her off. “Put that away. It’s my treat.”
“But—”
My look of censure has her mouth snapping closed, a slight flush spreading on her cheeks. Because we’ve been over this.
“Now, ladies.” Steve enters the air-conditioned space. “I thought I told you today was my treat.”
I squint at him. “You’re acting like you got a pay raise or something.”
He tosses his head back on a laugh. “Oh, Macaroni and Cheese, you know I’m sittin’ on a good bit a cash already.”
I stare up at the ceiling. “Remind me again why I put up with you.”
He slings a heavy arm over my shoulders. “’Cause I’m irresistible. Clearly.”
Annalee snickers. I just roll my eyes, fighting back a smile. God, this man tests me…but he’s become a good friend. “Let’s go before I change my mind about having lunch with you.”
Steve has proven to be a quick learner, too, and with the “contacts” that Bronson’s sent my way, business has been better than ever.
I’m not sure when Steve’s time with me will be up, but I’m definitely considering hiring someone full-time to help pick up the slack.
“We walkin’?” Steve asks once we step outside.
