Mosaic (Dragonfly #4)

by Leigh Talbert Moore

  “I believe I recall the name.” Will wasn’t letting up. “But I still don’t understand the purpose of this get-together, or I should say why I had to drive up from New Orleans on a moment’s notice for it.”

  His father took a deep breath and slid his place setting a little further from him. “Lexy and I were very close when we were younger. She was on the original Kyser-Brennan development team.”

  Ms. LaSalle’s glance flickered up from their clasped hands to Will’s blue eyes, and she gave him the smallest smile. He did not return it. I wanted to kick his shin under the table hard. Julian didn’t look up from his plate. He seemed to be bracing himself.

  “So this is about the business?” Will asked, and his father continued.

  “Not necessarily. Lexy and I reunited several months ago, last spring, and I wanted all of you to know… we’re very much in love.”

  At that, Will placed his fork down and straightened in his chair, putting his hands in his lap. Jack finally tore his attention away from the booze and focused it on Julian.

  “You said reunited.” Will was catching up fast, I could tell. His blue eyes traveled from his father’s paramour to the boy sitting beside his sister’s fiancé. I watched as he scrutinized Julian’s face. “That means you have a history together.”

  “A long time ago.” Mr. Kyser pushed his chair back and stood, slowly rounding the table behind Ms. LaSalle’s chair, passing Lucy’s, then Robert’s, and stopping behind Julian. My throat grew tighter the closer he came. “You’re all old enough now, and I’d like you to know the truth.”

  Lucy turned in her seat, her brow creased as she looked up at her father. My heart was beating so hard, and I couldn’t even imagine how Julian must be feeling. His mother, by contrast, seemed to have gone completely still. She watched Mr. Kyser like she was resigned to whatever might happen.

  Mr. Kyser placed his hand on Julian’s shoulder. “I’d like you to meet your brother. Julian LaSalle. Kyser.”

  For a half a second, the entire room went deadly still. Then several things seemed to happen at once. Lucy’s jaw dropped and she exhaled a whispered “Brother?”

  Jack sat back in his chair abruptly and blinked at the new identity on a familiar face. Will was another matter.

  He threw his cloth napkin beside his plate. “Are you saying—” His voice had risen in volume, but his father cut him off.

  “I’m saying a long time ago, Lexy and I had a son together. Julian is that son, and I hope you’ll welcome him as part of our family.” Mr. Kyser’s hand was still on Julian's shoulder, and I reached under the table to lace my fingers with his.

  At that moment, Julian looked up first at Jack, then he glanced at Will before looking at Lucy, who was still staring wide-eyed and open-mouthed.

  “A son?” Will was still speaking too loud. “Who’s the same age as Jack and Lucy?” What you’re saying is this bastard—”

  “I will not hear your brother referred to by that term.” Mr. Kyser’s voice matched Will’s in volume.

  “You won’t hear it?” Will roughly shoved his chair back and stood. “You’re damn well going to hear it. You cheated on Mom with this—”

  “William!” Mr. Kyser’s jaw was clenched. “Take care how you address the woman I love.”

  “The woman you love? The woman you LOVE?” Will’s upper lip curled. “What was our mother? The female who bore your children and kept your house clean?”

  “That’s a conversation for another night. Tonight, is about reunions. Welcoming a new family member.”

  Lucy’s astonishment had slowly dissolved into something different. She was still holding Ms. LaSalle’s arm, but now she reached out for Julian’s hand. It caught his attention, and he looked up at her. He caught her hand, and she gave him a warm smile. I wanted to kiss her sweet face.

  Will was undeterred, however, sweeping his arm toward Jack. “As if things weren’t bad enough, I’ve got this loser, who won’t do anything but drink all day and squander what little potential he might’ve had. Now you’re telling me I’ve got some bastard brother and his social-climbing mother coming in to wreck things even further. Great move, Dad. One of your best.”

  Mr. Kyser started to speak, but Lucy cut him off. In a flash, her hand left Julian’s and grabbed a plump, red tomato wedge off her salad plate.

  “SHUT UP, Will!” She cried, hurling the tomato with surprising force at her brother.

  The deep red fruit stuck to the front of his black sweater, and he flashed at her with pure shock on his face. “What the HELL?”

  As if encouraged, she grabbed a round, buttery new potato and threw it too. “I said SHUT UP!”

  Will flinched away. “Have you lost your mind?”

  She grabbed another potato and threw it, and each item hit his black sweater and slid down, leaving a trail of shiny grease. “I’ve lost my tolerance for YOU!”

  “Dammit, Lucy! If you throw one more piece of food at me…”

  She did just that, grabbing two handfuls of potatoes, asparagus, and even a chicken breast, pelting her brother with them. The rest of us only sat, open-mouthed, watching.

  “Shut your stupid mouth, you… you BULLY!” She yelled. “I’m sick of you pushing everyone around!”

  “For God’s sake… Lucy!” Will was completely derailed, taking the cloth napkin again and dabbing it against his shirt. “This is Tahitian silk!”

  Lucy jumped out of her chair, grabbed her water glass, and started in his direction.

  “Need to wash it off?” She reared back, but Jack was out of his chair, catching her around the waist. I wouldn’t have thought he could move that fast in his condition.

  “Take it easy, spitfire.” He laughed a little too much, holding her back and taking the water glass.

  “Let me go!” She twisted in his arms, but her father stepped in at last.

  “Stop this behavior at once!” His voice was stern, and his children did stop. But Lucy’s lips were so tight, I knew she was barely holding control. “I will not have you acting like this.”

  I could barely breathe. Julian’s eyes were a mixture of shock and pride for his sister.

  “I need to wash my hands.” Lucy pushed roughly out of Jack’s hold and stormed out of the dining room with Robert right behind her.

  Jack dropped back into his chair, and Will stood for a moment, dabbing his sweater with his cloth napkin. “I’m going to change.” His voice was a low growl, but at least his tirade had ended. “This isn’t over.”

  When he’d left the room, it felt too quiet and still all of a sudden. I was still trying to breathe. Ms. LaSalle’s face was pale, and her eyes went to Mr. Kyser’s.

  He gave her a weak smile and walked to where she sat. “In all of my imaginings of how this would play out, I never saw that coming.”

  Julian’s mom stood slowly. “I need some air.”

  She left the room, and Mr. Kyser followed her out, leaving Jack, Julian, and me sitting at the table. I finally remembered how to breathe, but Julian continued studying the plate in front of him.

  “I can’t believe he just did it like that.” Julian’s voice was quiet, and I reached for his arm.

  “I’m so sorry,” I whispered.

  “So.” Jack’s voice was only a little off. “How about that? Brother.”

  Julian’s eyes flickered across the table. “I guess it explains a few things.”

  Jack pushed himself out of the chair. “I need a drink. You?”

  Julian nodded. “Sure. Thanks.”

  “Anna?” Jack looked back over his shoulder, but I shook my head no. “That seems familiar.”

  Tumblers refilled, Jack handed one to his brother and sat in Robert’s abandoned chair. Then he exhaled a laugh. “Dad sure knows how to break up a dinner party.” He clinked Julian’s glass and took a long sip. “That takes the edge off.”

  I wanted to say something, but I had absolutely no idea where to begin. Julian took a short sip and placed the glass by his plate
. He seemed as disoriented as I felt, but just then Lucy swirled back into the room.

  “Where did everybody go?” Her voice was quieter now, calmer. Robert entered after her and pulled the doors closed.

  Jack leaned back in the chair and looked in her direction. “Nice work, sis. Of all the ways Will’s had his fat mouth shut in the past, that might’ve been my favorite.”

  Speaking of the devil, their older brother stalked in and looked around, pausing only to give his sister a withering glare. “Where’s Dad?”

  “No idea,” she said off-handedly. Her expression turned serious as she approached her twin. “I don’t like seeing you this way. What’s happening in New Orleans?”

  “I’ve turned into a total ass, haven’t I, Anna?” Jack stood and went back over to his chair, pausing behind Julian for a beat. “Sorry I kissed your girl, bro. I wasn’t thinking straight that night.”

  My eyes flew wide. After all we’d witnessed here, those words literally the worst that could’ve been said. Julian didn’t look at me, but he straightened in his chair.

  Pulling my bottom lip between my teeth, I intended to see what Lucy’s response to her brother’s words might be, but instead my eyes caught on Will. His eyes narrowed slightly, but in a blink it was gone. “I’m not spending the night here. Jack, you riding back with me tonight?”

  Instead of sitting, Jack kept moving to where his brother stood. “I don’t know how else I’m getting home. You drove.”

  Will’s eyes cut one last time toward Julian and me. “Let’s go.”

  They walked out and Lucy’s shoulders dropped. “I don’t like this at all. As much as I hate siding with him, Will’s right. Jack’s got a problem.”

  My mouth was completely dry, and I could feel the irritation in Julian. He’d had a pretty rough night as well, and Jack’s words poured a can of gasoline on the whole thing.

  Lucy turned to me. “Did Jack say he saw you at school?”

  My voice was quiet. “I ran into him once.” Julian shot me a glare. “Or twice, I guess.”

  His sister exhaled deeply. “I wish there was some way I could get down there, but I know he’d never let me help him. Just like he’d never admit to having a problem.”

  Julian stood and went over to her. “I want to thank you for what you did. That was pretty brave of you standing up to that guy.”

  She shook her blonde waves. “That guy now known as your brother?”

  “I guess you’re right.” Julian glanced down. “Not sure he’s too thrilled about it.”

  “Will’s an ass. He’s had that coming for years.” Catching his hand again, she gave it a squeeze. “I guess I should feel angry or something, but I don’t.”

  Julian nodded. “Thanks for that. It’s all been pretty weird for me, but… I like knowing who I am.”

  “I’m glad we never got serious! Talk about gross!” She stuck her tongue out, making big eyes. Then she laughed. “But I love my ring. It’s so much more special to me now.”

  “Thanks, sis.”

  They smiled, and Lucy pulled him in for a quick hug. Then she caught Robert’s hand. “I need some dinner! My first course is all over Asshat Older Brother’s sweater.”

  Robert laughed. “You could eat his serving.”

  “And die of whatever poison lives in his mouth? No thank you!” She pulled her fiancé’s arm. “Let’s go to the Shrimp Basket. I’ve earned a honeydew daiquiri.”

  Robert smiled, watching her with so much love. “Okay. See you guys later.”

  Lucy paused before departing. “Text me before you head back. I want us to get coffee or something.”

  I nodded, and they were gone. Julian and I were alone in the room, but he didn’t come to me. It hurt so badly. After all the drama, after I knew he had to be feeling winded and wounded, now Jack’s words had put a wedge between us, and I couldn’t even comfort him.

  His voice was impatient when he spoke. “You didn’t think I needed to know he kissed you?”

  “Julian, I swear—”

  “Just stop.”

  My voice was too desperate, and I knew it worked against me. I took a moment to collect myself then I tried again in a calmer tone.

  “It was one of my first catch-up nights with Rachel. All the way back in October.” I studied the Oriental rug at his feet, not daring to look in his eyes. “He said a bunch of stuff that was completely stupid, and I argued with him. Then he kissed me, and I pushed him away and left. That’s all it was. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, but it was so random and pointless, I didn’t see the need to upset you over it.”

  “It would’ve been better if I’d heard it from you first.”

  “I’d practically forgotten it.” That wasn’t entirely true, but I wanted it to be true.

  Julian didn’t respond, and for several moments we faced each other in silence. Finally, he closed the space between us and wrapped me in his arms.

  I was sure I’d have dropped from the combination of relief and fatigue if he hadn’t been holding me up.

  “I believe you.” His voice was soft at my ear. “Let’s forget it.”

  My eyes were hot, and I hugged him tightly around the waist. “I’m sorry. I should’ve told you the whole story and not let you be ambushed twice in one night.”

  “I still can’t believe he did it that way.”

  For a few moments, we only held each other, breathing together, coming down. I thought about what he’d said and how different things were from the spring. Our relationship had grown, and we did trust each other. Even if I was still working on stupid, emotional flare-ups.

  “Thank you,” I said, leaning back. “For trusting me, for not being angry.”

  With one hand, he smoothed my hair away from my face. “I can’t resist that cute little newsy nose. Or those green eyes.”

  I laughed. The relief had me slightly giddy. “Hazel.”

  “You always call me that.” Leaning forward, he kissed my cheek. “It’s Julian. Juu-lien.”

  That made me laugh more. He grinned and pulled me toward the door. “I never know what to expect with these guys.”

  “Lucy was fantastic.”

  “Yes. She definitely was. If I was never in love with her before, I am now.”

  “She’s been through so much, and she’s been alone so long. B—I mean Robert has really been good for her.”

  Julian nodded. “Even though it’s an ‘insta-family’ type of deal, I already feel sort of protective of her. It’s weird… but I like it. And I like him. I like having a family.”

  I thought of what I’d read in Mr. Kyser’s journal about how his own mother had left him and his father behind. I remembered the nights he’d documented lying awake at night, alone, with his father passed out drunk. He’d described taking one of the horses from their ranch and riding it down to Soldier Creek, vowing not to grow up to be like his dad. For a while it was exactly what he’d done, but now he had a family, too, and Ms. LaSalle was helping him heal.

  “I think your dad always wanted the same thing himself.”

  “We’re fumbling our way toward happiness.”

  * * *

  Lucy was bright and beautiful as always sitting in the coffee shop, waiting for me Saturday afternoon. It reminded me of the day we’d met last spring. Right before she’d insisted I take her to see her father’s girlfriend, a.k.a., Julian’s mom. A tiny crease was between her perfect brows, but it instantly disappeared when she saw me.

  “Anna!” She hopped up and hugged me before I slid into the booth opposite her. “Can you believe last night? I couldn’t sleep for thinking about it. My mind’s still a little blown.”

  “It was pretty bomb-shellish the way your dad did it.”

  A small laugh bubbled out before she sipped her coffee. “Who knew Dad could be so dramatic?”

  “Are you still… I mean, do you still feel the way you did last night?”

  “It helps that I knew her a little while first.” She blinked at the table a minu
te, thinking. “I know I should be mad about it, but it was all so long ago.”

  She paused, but I didn’t know what to say. Instead, I sipped the large cappuccino I’d ordered.

  “I don’t remember my mom. I love her…” Her lip caught in her teeth. “I should be loyal to her memory, but I can’t seem to find it in me to punish them. They’ve punished themselves better than I ever could.”

  It was such a difficult situation, and I had no basis to relate to any of it or offer any help. So I tried a different approach. “It was really cool how you stood up for Julian.”

  Slim fingers scrubbed her forehead. “I suppose Will was right. I lost it for a minute, throwing my food.” Then she blinked up at me. “I don’t want any more fighting. I want a family. It’s something I’ve never had. Dad’s happy… I just want us all to be happy for once.”

  “Well, you’ve got a knack for derailing arguments, I’ll give you that.”

  She smiled and for a moment we sipped our coffee. “You like New Orleans?”

  “Maybe.” I shrugged. “I haven’t really had a chance to check it out.”

  “Oh, you have to! You can’t be there and not experience the city.” She gave me a teasing look. “Get out of the classroom and hit the streets.”

  “You’re right. I will.”

  “Promise me you’ll do it when you get back.”

  I laughed, but she didn’t. Her lip was back between her teeth, and I knew there was more to this meeting.

  “I’m so worried about Jack. I know he’s not Julian’s favorite person, but you have to be worried, too.” It came out so fast, I couldn’t argue. I’d have been lying if I’d even tried.

  “He has been different.” I took a sip, trying not to commit.

  “Why?” She leaned forward against the table, desperation filling her blue eyes.

  “I-I don’t know.”

  “Somebody has to help him. Will obviously isn’t going to do anything but sneer as he goes down the drain.”

  I remembered the few times I’d been around him and my personal vow not to get involved. “Sometimes you have to let people realize for themselves they need help.”