“Now, go take these burgers over to the table. We’ve got more if anyone’s still hungry.”
I take the plate, but Mike holds out the tongs to stop me.
“I know Mel talked to you about her bully problem. Thank you for giving her a pep talk. That girl is going to set the world on fire one of these days, if some stupid boy doesn’t get in the way.”
I give him a chin lift. “Anytime. That’s what family does.”
“Damn right. Now, go eat, Gabe. No letting these burgers and brats go to waste. Joanie’ll kick my ass.”
Thirty-Three
Scarlett
I’ve never been sofull in my entire life, but I don’t regret a single bite. Joanie and Mike laid out an amazing spread, and every bit of it was delicious.
True to my word, I volunteered for dish duty, but Joanie tried to turn me down in favor of making Melanie do them. However, I persisted, and now I find myself elbow deep in a sink of suds while I hear gasps and cheers coming from the backyard over whatever is happening with the football game. Since my appreciation of the game starts and ends with the fact that the players are wearing tight pants, I’m not too worried about missing anything.
Footsteps alert me to the fact that someone is heading into the kitchen. When I glance over my shoulder, I expect to see Joanie coming in with another tray of dishes, trying to shoo me out of the way, but it’s not.
It’s Q, and his expression is more serious than I’d expect to see at a casual Sunday cookout. I gesture to the plate in his hand with my elbow.
“You can set it on the counter. I’ll wash it for you.”
He comes toward me slowly. “What are you trying to prove here? You’re Scarlett Priest, Manhattan socialite, not some chick who washes dishes for a Puerto Rican family you barely know.”
“Still not my biggest fan, huh? Despite what you assume, I don’t think I’m better than you or your family. And washing dishes is my way of thanking your parents for inviting me into their home and treating me with such gracious hospitality.” My tone thankfully remains unaffected, and I’m proud of that.
“You sound like you really believe that.” Instead of sounding like a dick, Q’s statement comes out confused.
I pull my hands out of the soapy water, wipe them on a dish towel, and turn around to face him. “Simple explanation for that—because it’s the truth.”
He walks to the counter with measured steps and slides his plate and silverware across it. “Gabe isn’t just my best friend; he’s my brother. Doesn’t matter that we don’t share blood. That bond is solid. I’m not going to lose him because of you.”
I blink twice. “Why would you lose him? I’m not following.”
“You’re gonna want to change him to fit in with your life, and I’m not okay with that. If you can’t let him be who he is, then you need to walk away. Now.”
Q’s words hit me hard.
“And you’re here to what ... threaten me into leaving him? Because I have to warn you, that’s not happening.”
He squints at me, like he’s trying to solve an invisible puzzle on my face. “Why do you want him? Is it just for a walk on the wild side? To be able to say you brought Gabriel Legend to his knees? Is that the game?”
I put my hands on my hips and attempt to lock down my temper, but I’m only partly successful if my tone is any indication of what I’m feeling.
“Is that all you think your best friend—yourbrother—has to offer someone? A walk on the wild side? If that’s the case, first, you don’t know meat all, and second, you don’t know him as well as you think you do. Gabriel is the most honorable, intelligent, thoughtful, kind, and loyal man I’ve ever met. Meeting him, regardless of how, is the best thing to ever happen to me. I love him, and there isn’t a goddamned thing I wouldn’t do for him. What do you have to say to that, Q? Is that good enough for you? Or do you think I have some other hidden motives here?”
He opens his mouth to reply, but I’m not done.
“Because I’ll tell you another thing. I don’tneed him.I don’t need any man. I’m strong, smart, savvy, and I’ve got boatloads of money. But you know what? Iwanthim more than I’ve ever wanted anyone or anything in my life. He lights me up. He makes me laugh. He brings me joy. I love Bump, and Roux, and goddammit, Q, if you weren’t such an asshole, I’d probably love you too.”
I shrug, realizing my guts have officially been spilled. “Eventually,” I add quietly with a sniffle at the end, clueing me in to the fact that I’m near tears with my speech.
From the doorway, someone breaks into a slow clap. I cut my gaze over Q’s shoulder as he spins around. Joanie stands there with a wide smile and shimmering eyes.
“Thank God, because Gabe deserves someone who sees him for everything he is. And, Marcus, you need to get your head out of your ass and stop pretending there’s something wrong with what they’ve got. They love each other. End of story.”
Q shifts from facing his mom to me again. “I misjudged you. I owe you an apology, Scarlett.” He holds out his big hand.