Chapter 21

David

It had taken me some time, but I’d finally convinced Missy to come upstate and talk with Blaine. When she arrived, she let me know she was not happy.

She stormed into my hotel room with a huge chip on her shoulder. “Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, David. I need to be back home so I can cook the turkey.”

I’d really hoped she’d show up with some sensitivity for our little brother’s condition, especially since she was the cause.

“You could be a little more sympathetic to your brother’s problems. I didn’t bring you here to be hard on him.”

“You haven’t really told me why I’m here at all. I told you a long time ago, and again just last week that I’m done with him and his drama.”

“You haven’t spoken to him in years, and you know his relapse has only been since Dad’s death. He was doing okay before that.”

“I wouldn’t know,” she said. “I didn’t keep up with him then, so why bother now?”

“Have you ever thought that you’re the reason for all of this?” I knew I was skating on thin ice, especially when she gave me the look. It was a look that my mother had perfected and then passed on to Missy. It was a look only a woman could give, and it would strike fear into anyone who saw it.

“I beg your pardon?” she asked. “How in God’s name is this my fault? So, he’s having trouble losing Dad because Daddy didn’t hold him enough or some shit? Come on, David. Give me break with the guilt trips. That one won’t work. I lost Daddy, too.”

“He’s not mourning Dad. He’s missing you. Like it or not, Missy—and I know you didn’t sign up for this shit—but you’re the only parent he’s ever really had. He was so young when Mom died, and you were the one who was there for him. Dad’s gone, and you won’t even talk to him.”

“I called him,” she said, frowning. “The little shit hung up on me.”

“That’s my fault. Not his. Look, I know he messed up. But he needs our support.”

“Those were my babies, David. He put them in danger.”

“Remember the time I nearly burned the house down, and you were so pissed off at me because you’d only wanted a minute to be a fucking kid and go to your friend’s house?”

“It’s not the same.”

“No, it’s exactly the same.” I wasn’t going to let her get off that easily.

“He was an adult. You were a kid. And this is my kids we’re talking about. My actual children.”

“And we’re your family, too,” I said. “Yeah, Blaine fucked up when he was taking care of your children. But he was young. He was still in school. He fell asleep.”

“Because he’d been drinking.”

“Yeah, and where were you that night?” She’d never told us where she’d been. “Well? I want to know, Miss. Where were you when your little brother was passing out at your house, and your children were out in the fucking street for a neighbor to find?”

She walked over to the minibar and poured a drink. I hadn’t seen her drink anything in years, but that didn’t mean she didn’t.

“There’s a reason I haven’t told you,” she said, still with her back to me. “If I do, I don’t want you to look at my husband like he’s some asshole. He’s a good man.”

“I’m sure he is. We think a lot of Kevin.”

“Yeah, well, he was cheating on me. I left Blaine with the girls, so I could follow him. I’d asked Dad to help, but he said that I shouldn’t worry about it. That the DeVant name and money would keep Kevin on a short leash, and he’d never leave me, no matter how far he’d stray.”

“Dad knew, and he didn’t do anything about it?” I asked.

“I didn’t say that. What I said was he told me not to worry. That answer hadn’t been good enough for me, though. Not that day. I wanted to see it for myself. I left Blaine with the girls and then headed out. I found his car at the hotel across town, right where a friend of mine had seen it weeks earlier. And sure enough, when I went to the door, I could hear them inside. I knocked. I pounded on the door. And when he finally came to open it, he just stood there. I could see her behind him. She was someone we’d met at the country club.”

“Jesus, Missy.” My blood was boiling, and I wasn’t sure if I’d ever be able to look at her husband the same again. “I’d have beaten his ass. You should have told me.”

“You were off chasing your dreams, and Blaine was the only person I had to help me. He’d been my best friend for years, and when I needed him the most, he let me down just like all the other men in my life.”

“Yet you forgave your husband,” I said. “You stayed with him, and you punish Blaine.”

Missy broke down in tears, and I pulled her into my arms, holding her tightly and stroking her back.

“We need each other now more than ever,” I said. “Blaine got arrested for a DUI.”

“Where is he? Is he here?” She looked around me into the adjoining bedroom.

“I brought him to Elk Grove. He wanted help. But when I talked to him, his problems weren’t Dad or even the drinking and drugs. He misses you, Missy. He needs to know you care, that you’re there to support him.”

“Maybe I have diverted my anger at him. It was just such a hard time, and I trusted him with my life.” She raked her hands across her cheeks. “The girls still ask about him.”

“They miss him, and I know you do, too.”

“Maybe a little.”

“That’s exactly what you need to tell him. I called you up here because I want you to go to Elk Grove with me. Let’s heal this rift between us and be a stronger family again.”

She grabbed her handbag from the counter and headed to the door. “Okay. I’ll talk to him, but if he doesn’t want to see me—”

I grabbed my keys and followed her out. “He does. He wanted me to get you here.”

“Really?” She stopped and placed her hand on her heart.

“Yes.”

She locked her hand with mine. “Let’s go see our baby brother.”

On the way, she told me more about Kevin’s affair and begged me not to change the way I treated him. They’d worked things out after our father had a long talk with him, and things had been wonderful between them since.

Blaine was already settled in and waiting for me when we walked into the family room at the center. He saw Missy, and he fell into her arms. “I didn’t think you’d come, Miss.”

She embraced him tightly. “It’s been too long, and I’ve missed my little brother.”

Tears glistened on Blaine’s cheeks. “I’ve missed you and the girls. I know I screwed up, but I would never do anything to hurt them. I love them.”

“I know, Blaine. Shit.” Missy broke down sobbing, and I let the two of them cry it out as I walked to stare out the window.

I wanted my family back whole again, and I couldn’t think of a better time than during the holidays to come together. Any day away from each other because of unresolved issues was wasted, and it was time we could never get back. Allison’s beautiful face came to mind, and I knew the same was true for me and her.

Missy wiped her eyes. “Why don’t you come to my house for Thanksgiving? I’ll drive you back up tomorrow evening. I know the girls would want to see you, and we have a lot of catching up to do.”

Blaine sniffled and wiped his cheeks dry. “I’ll talk to my sponsor and make sure it’s not a problem, but I’d love that.”

Missy looked at me. “What about you, David? Are you going to come?”

“Actually, I have another invitation. Allison and Sierra wanted me to come spend the day with them at her mother’s place. I’d really like to do that, but maybe I can stop by.”

“Are you finally going to get with her?” Missy tilted her head and smiled. “I want to see you both happy for a change. If it takes Allison after all these years to make that happen for you, then I’m all for it.”

“She’d be good for you,” Blaine said, and he leaned back on the couch.

I sat down in a chair across from him, while Missy sat next to him, clinging to his arm like she’d never let him go again.

“She is good for me,” I said. “And that little one? I’m smitten.”

My brother laughed and shook his head. “You must be, using a word like that.”

I smiled. “I know, right? But you should meet her. God, she’s like a little Allison, and she’s just about as crazy over me as her mother. I took her to Career Day, so I’m practically her new hero.”

“Where’s her father?” Missy asked.

I looked up at her, waiting for me to answer her question. I wanted that little girl to be mine so badly, but I couldn’t tell my brother and sister about that just yet. Not until I found out for sure or had at least talked to Allison about my suspicions.

“He’s busy with a new girlfriend from what I understand,” I said. “He doesn’t really like the kid around, cramping his style, and he doesn’t make much time for her. That’s why I went to Career Day.”

Missy shook her head. “I bet that was a sight. Our brother, David DeVant, standing in front of a bunch of little kids, making a presentation.”

Blaine grinned. “Yeah, maybe you should have had Greyson do it for you.”

“Hey, take it easy. I know the business. It’s just that Greyson’s faster. But yeah, I made a whole presentation and wowed the crowd. It was awesome, and best of all, Sierra had a great time.”

“That’s awesome.” Blaine laughed.

Missy held her hand over her heart and gave me another sappy look. “That’s so sweet. Your whole face lights up when you talk about her. You’d think she was your daughter.”

I felt my breath hitch like someone was tapdancing on my fucking chest. I cleared my throat. “Yeah, so I’ll probably call them soon and let them know I’m going to stop by if that’s okay with you guys.”

I didn’t want to spoil the reunion party, but both of them seemed eager for me to go be with Allison.

“I think that’s amazing,” Missy said. “Please send my love to them.” Miss had always liked the family. Blaine nodded in agreement.

“I will,” I said.

I sighed with relief, glad I didn’t have to call Sierra and cancel. There was nothing worse than disappointing that little girl, besides maybe disappointing her mother. I knew if I didn’t show up, I’d do both. And I just couldn’t live with that.