was still her sister.
Raoul stepped out onto the porch. “You okay?” he asked. “You’ve been out here a long time.”
She smiled at him. “I’m the grown-up. I’m supposed to worry about you.”
“You’ve been quiet a lot lately.”
“I’ve been thinking about Jesse.”
Raoul knew the basics of what had happened. “Still no word?”
“None. She’s not going to get in touch with me. Why would she? I made it really clear I wanted her gone.”
“But you didn’t?”
“I don’t know what I wanted. I guess I wanted her to be different.” Like that was going to happen.
“You could go after her,” he said.
“I’ve thought about that. I can’t decide. Should I let her grow up on her own? Is it better to let her see what life is really about? Then I remember she’s my baby sister and she’s pregnant and maybe this is all too much.” There was a child to think of. Nicole’s niece or nephew. There was a connection. She just didn’t know where her responsibilities started and stopped or how much more pain her heart could handle.
“Sometimes people have to find their own bottom,” he said.
She shook her head. “Don’t you dare get all twelve-step on me.”
“I won’t.”
He moved to the other end of the step and sat down. Sheila followed him, her movements slow. At her last checkup the vet had said it was just a matter of days until she had her puppies. Nicole already had plenty of towels and newspaper on hand.
“I won’t know if I’m doing the right thing until it’s too late. And if letting her go is the wrong decision, how do I fix it?”
“Why is she your responsibility?” he asked.
“Because she always has been. Even when I resented everything about her, I took care of her. I raised her. I wish I’d done a better job.”
“You were a kid yourself.”
“Still, I’m the reason she is how she is.”
“Not necessarily. Maybe she was just born that way.”
“That would be nice,” Nicole said, resting her forearms on her knees. “Then it wouldn’t be my fault.”
“It’s not now.”
“It feels like it is.” She looked at him. “Sometimes you’re very wise.”
“Growing up on the street does that.”
“Then be smart about Brittany and the baby.”
“Get off me about that.”
“I’m not sure I can. I know you love her, but jeez, Raoul. Get a clue.”
Sheila lay down, then got up and walked over to Nicole.
“What’s the matter, baby?” she asked, stroking the dog’s heaving sides. “Is it close to your time?”
Sheila didn’t answer. Raoul’s eyes widened. “Is she going to have her puppies?”
“I don’t know. The vet said-”
A truck screamed around the corner and slammed to a stop in front of her house. Hawk jumped out of the vehicle and stalked toward the house.
She could tell by the way he moved that he was more than angry.
“Get inside,” Nicole told Raoul as she scrambled to her feet.
“What?”
“Get inside now. I’ll deal with this.”
“I’m not afraid of him.”
“Then you’re an idiot. You have a future that depends on you still being alive. Get in the house.”
But it was too late. Hawk took the stairs two at a time, grabbed Raoul by the front of his shirt and pulled him to his feet.
“What the fuck were you thinking, sleeping with my daughter? I’m going to kill you. You got that? When I’m done there will be nothing left. The biggest piece of you won’t even fill an envelope.”
He vibrated with fury.
Nicole pushed between them, but Hawk wouldn’t let go of Raoul’s shirt.
“Stop it,” she yelled. “Just stop it. Hawk, take a step back, now. I mean it.”
Sheila whined and moved closer to Nicole. Hawk ignored them both.
“This is between me and him. Back off, Nicole. You and I will talk about what you did later.”
“Let’s talk about it now,” she said, knowing she needed to distract Hawk before he did something they would all regret. “I knew. That’s what you mean, right? I knew Brittany was pregnant and I didn’t tell you.”
He released Raoul and turned on her. At least she knew she wasn’t in any physical danger. She willed Raoul to run, but the kid was too honorable. He just stood there.
Hawk’s eyes blazed with fury. “How could you not tell me? She’s my daughter. I had the right to know.”
“Believe me, I’m not happy about any of this, but I found out she was pregnant and they asked me not to say anything. I agreed to keep quiet until Brittany could tell you herself.”
“Where do you get off doing that?”
She understood that he was angry and that none of this seemed fair, but she felt a little temper of her own stirring.
“You’re the all-knowing parent,” she told him. “You’re the one with the special bond with your daughter. I told you they were probably sleeping together, but did you listen? Was it possible I was right? Of course not. Because I don’t have children of my own, I’m not privy to the secret and special code.”
His gaze narrowed. “This is a hell of a time to throw that in my face.”
“You can’t have it both ways. Either I’m one of you or I’m not. Besides, why are you so upset? Brittany is only trying to relive your perfect life. You’ve told her and told her that this is exactly how things were for you and Serena. You’ve practically carved it in a gold tablet. I said it might not be a good idea to paint the past so damned perfect, but once again, I was wrong. You knew it all. So here’s the result. She’s pregnant and now there’s a really big problem.”
“There’s no problem,” Raoul said. “I love your daughter, Coach, and I want to marry her.”
Nicole groaned. The kid was not helping.
“I’ll kill him,” Hawk muttered. “Get him away from me.”
Nicole pointed to the front door. “Go inside. I’ll deal with this.”
“I don’t need you to fight my battles.”
She wanted to scream. “You’re all so stubborn and convinced you’re right. None of you are willing to look at anything rationally.” She pointed at Hawk. “You were so determined to teach your daughter a fairy tale. Why? So what if it was hard? You and Serena loved each other and you had a great marriage. Isn’t that what matters?”
Hawk started to speak. “Shut up,” she snapped. “I’m not done.” She turned on Raoul. “And you’ve bought into the fairy tale. Yes, you’ve had a hard life and you don’t want to give up your child, but you’re setting yourself up to fail. You’re not being realistic.”
Sheila whined again and pushed her nose into Nicole’s leg. Nicole glanced down at her. “This is not a good time.” The dog whimpered and walked to the front door.
Just then another car came tearing around the corner. Brittany parked behind her father’s truck. Nicole groaned when she saw the coupe was overflowing with what looked like a lot of personal belongings.
Hawk swore. “I told you to stay in your room. What are you doing here?”
“I hate you, Daddy. You’re mean and I’m never going to forgive you.”
Nicole closed her eyes and prayed this wasn’t what she thought. Apparently God was busy.
“I’m moving in with Nicole and Raoul,” the teenager announced. “Raoul loves me and Nicole might not get it, either, but at least she’s willing to listen.”
“You will get your butt back home this minute,” Hawk told her.
“No, I won’t, and unless you’re going to drag me there by my hair, you can’t make me.”
“I can and I will. You’re not seeing Raoul again. Do you understand me?”
“Barn door? Meet horse,” Nicole muttered.
