Story of Us

by Jody Holford

  Welcome home.

  Her mother nudged her father with her elbow, and he came forward, pulling Sophia into a stiff hug. The scent of his cologne washed over her, bringing memories to the surface. When she left at eighteen, she’d thought they’d get over it. Each time she’d come home to visit, she assured herself they would be happy for all she achieved. But it was more like they’d seen her leaving as a choice to give them up.

  Her father pulled back to look her up and down, his lips turning into a deep frown. His dark hair was more gray than black, and wrinkles creased his face and neck. The sparkle she remembered still glinted in his eyes. So did the disappointment. Maybe it would fade when she told them she was sticking this time. That she was home to stay.

  “Come and eat,” her dad said.

  Of course there’s food. Just the mention of a meal had her all but salivating. She swiped at the tears and followed him down the hallway into the kitchen.

  The scents of rosemary and garlic mingled in the air, reminding her of her childhood. The kitchen, living room, and dining area were one massive open space at the back of the house. Wide windows looked out over the backyard where they’d hosted picnics and BBQs. Her parents were born in the United States but had both been brought up by traditional immigrant parents. Their parents had been friends in Italy and had emigrated together, so growing up, her mom and dad were all but promised to each other. Between the two families, this made for large gatherings as the years passed.

  “Sit,” her mother said, pointing to the table where settings were already waiting. “You’re too skinny. You should have come for Christmas and New Year’s. All we did was eat.”

  Sophia rolled her eyes and took her seat. No matter what the occasion, her family’s get-togethers revolved around food. Even if she had made it home for the holidays, they’d be urging her to eat.

  Viola sat next to her, grinning like a loon. She took Sophia’s hand and squeezed. “How are you? When did you get back, and how long are you here?”

  Her parents went about bringing food to the table, so she only had a minute of quiet conversation with her sister, at most. She took a deep breath.

  “A few days ago. I’m fine. And I’m staying. For good. I got a job at On Dec,” she replied, shifting on her chair to face her sister.

  Viola shook her head. “What? You’re staying? Since when? Why didn’t you tell any of us? And you’re working at Dec’s when you could work at the restaurant?”

  Yes. I struck out on my own again, and now I have to convince all of you I know what I’m doing.

  “Because it’s a good opportunity.” And I love the freedom of deciding what works best for a company and how to showcase their strengths.

  Her father set down a pan of lasagna while her mother put a bowl of spaghetti next to it.

  “What opportunity?” Her father’s bushy eyebrows furrowed.

  Sophia turned, her mind blank. “I’m home to stay. I’m working in Declan James’s pub as a manager and doing marketing and promotion.”

  Her mother stopped in her tracks, a basket of bread in hand, then looked to Sophia’s father, who stared at her with unchecked anger.

  “We’re a family business. You leave your family to run off with some man, you come home and you insult us again by working for someone else?”

  “Mario,” her mom whispered. She set the bread down and took a seat across the table.

  Her father dropped down into his chair at the head of the table, ignoring Sophia while he dished up massive portions. Viola nudged Sophia.

  “I wasn’t trying to insult you, Dad. Ever. I didn’t run off with anyone. I went to school in Arizona and got a good job. I don’t know why we always have to rehash this.” She paused to take a breath, shifting in her seat when a stitch lodged in her ribs. “I’m back to stay, but I really do feel more useful at the pub. I can do what I was trained to do.”

  “I don’t have a degree, and yet I’m successful. Your brother has one, but he stayed with his family. Not you. Too fancy for our family,” her father said, stabbing his fork into his spaghetti.

  Sophia sighed. “No, Papa.”

  Her mom picked up a piece of bread and met Sophia’s gaze. “A bar, Sophia? That seems beneath you.”

  “I’m working with Declan James. You both know and like him. He has a very successful business, and I’m now his manager. I’m able to put the schooling I paid for to good use.”

  Her father wound noodles around his fork in jerky movements. “We pay for our children to be educated when they stay home like they should. You run around the world, you pay your own way.”

  “Dad,” Viola said, scooping up a forkful of spaghetti.

  Sophia shot her a grateful smile and a subtle head shake. “It’s fine. Get it out now. You’re mad—I get that. But I can’t change the past, and I don’t know that I would if I could.”

  Her father finished his bite of food and lifted his water, took a sip. “You want the past in the past? Fine. You come work at Pop’s now. You want to manage, I’ll put you in charge of something. Maybe you do the scheduling. You have that fancy marketing degree, you use it to help our family.” He waved his hand around like the gesture finished the conversation.

  Sophia picked up her napkin and wiped her mouth. The food was delicious, but her stomach was easing toward nausea. Why had she even entertained the idea that they’d treat her like an adult?

  “I don’t want to work at the restaurant, Dad. It’s not an insult or meant to hurt you. I just want to do my own thing.”

  “Your own thing means working in a dive bar,” her mother said, slamming her water down.

  “Mama,” Viola interrupted, putting a hand over Sophia’s. “You know very well Declan’s place is not a dive bar. He’s one of Marcus’s best friends.”

  “He’s not family,” her dad said.

  Sadness circled Sophia’s heart like a planet orbiting the sun.

  “Does Marcus know you’re home?” Her father’s bushy eyebrows pushed together.

  She shook her head. “Not yet.”

  Pointing his garlic toast at her, he muttered something like a-ha. “A friend would tell a friend his sister is home.”

  Sophia closed her eyes and counted to ten. In English and Italian. When she opened her eyes, her family was watching her with a mixture of concern and frustration.

  “I asked him not to. I’ve only been back a couple of days. I needed to settle first.”

  Her mother smiled genuinely, and it repaired some of the cracks in Sophia’s heart. “You’ll settle here. You’ll move into your old room. We’ll go to mass tomorrow. Usually we just go on Saturday nights, but you and I, we’ll go together tomorrow.”

  “Suck up.” The smile on her sister’s lips suggested she was teasing, but nothing felt funny.

  Sophia didn’t laugh. She looked at her mother, who was not typically a joking sort of person, but she could not, honest to God, be serious.

  “Mom. I work tomorrow. And I’m not moving home,” Sophia said.

  “Where will you stay?” Viola asked. Her brows furrowed. “Wait, you said a few days. Where have you been staying?”

  Her stomached flipped over. This was only going to get worse. “I’m staying with Declan for now, but I’m looking for my own place.”

  “You’re living with a man known to run through women like we do pasta sauce?” The frost in her father’s tone felt like a slap in the face. Tears burned, and she bit her lip to keep from lashing out.

  “Papa. It’s Declan. And rumor has it he isn’t dating much at all anymore,” Viola said.

  “You embarrass your family, Sophia,” her father said, not even looking at her.

  Sophia stood, threw her napkin down. “Have you forgotten that you like Declan? That you respect him? Which is a lot more than I can say for how you feel about me. I’ve apologized for hurting you, but I’m not sorry I left. Jesus. I’ve been back less than a week, and you’re already making me feel like I can’t breathe.”
/>   “Sit down, Sophia. You will not speak to us this way,” her dad said.

  “I’m not a child. I’m a grown woman capable of making my own choices,” she said, trying to smooth out her tone.

  Her father stood, forcing her to look up if she wanted to hold his gaze. “You make decisions like a child. Impulsive. Selfish. You want to be treated like an adult, you act like one. Respect is earned.”

  Tears clogged her throat. “Not in this house it isn’t. If it was, then I’d have yours. I put myself through school. I had a successful career. I’ve never asked you for anything other than a little freedom to make my own path instead of following yours. Unless I work at your restaurant and live under your roof until someone you approve of marries me, I won’t get anything more than disapproval from you. So, I guess we’re at a stalemate.”

  She moved quickly through the house, grabbing her jacket and purse off the hook by the door. Her sister called her name, but she didn’t stop. She couldn’t. If she did, she’d cry, and she wouldn’t let any of them break her. She refused to feel bad anymore for being her own person.

  “Sophia,” Viola called again as Sophia hurried to her car.

  Sophia turned around when she reached the car and stared at her sister over the hood. She saw the sadness in Viola’s expression, but Viola didn’t follow her to offer platitudes or take her side. No. Just like the day she’d pulled out of the driveway at eighteen, Sophia was alone.

  Chapter Ten

  He was pacing. He didn’t pace.

  “And yet, here you are,” Declan said to the empty living room. Where the hell was she? She’d left work hours ago, and he had no idea where she was. He did not like the worry crowding his chest. It wasn’t familiar, and it damn well wasn’t comfortable.

  Declan James wasn’t a worrier. And Sophia isn’t a kid. She’s a grown woman who can take care of herself. That didn’t stop him from wanting to look out for her and know she was all right.

  The look in her eyes when she’d left his office was imprinted on his brain. Just like the taste of her was on his lips. It had been a mistake of epic proportions to kiss her, but damn if it wasn’t the best kiss of his life. And he was no rookie.

  “Just a kiss,” he scoffed aloud. Yeah right.

  Checking his phone again, he swore. Sophia wasn’t answering the multiple texts he’d sent her. Had she patched things up with her parents? Were they thrilled to see her? How could they not be? You’re being irrational. She’s staying with you… You aren’t her warden. But he couldn’t push down the worry. Maybe because she’d been so worried about her family’s reaction. He just wanted to see for himself that she was okay.

  He was storming back and forth in front of his windows, the sky darkening as the sun sank lower, when his phone buzzed. Disappointment had him huffing out a breath when he saw Adam’s name on the screen.

  “Hey,” Declan said.

  “Hey. Just calling to confirm Saturday. We’re going to do it here instead of Stella and Zach’s.”

  “Okay. Or we could do it here if you guys want,” he said. He kept meaning to have them all over after he’d moved in, but as the single guy, it was easier to head to their place or Stella’s. He’d already talked to Parks about doing a run-through of what he and Sophia planned to do with the staff, and maybe that’d be easier here, at his place. He hadn’t told his friends, though, because he wanted to surprise them.

  “We weren’t trying to put you on the spot. Zach and Stella have been slammed with patients, and even though Parker and Garrett do most of the cooking, Megan thought she might like to get away from the property for a bit.”

  Declan looked around his place. He wanted to have a family here. Holidays and memories. Maybe he didn’t have his person yet, but there was no reason he couldn’t start making this place the home he’d intended for it to be.

  “No, seriously. Let’s have it here. Want me to call Parks?”

  “Nah. Megan can. Everything okay?”

  Declan didn’t miss the change in his friend’s tone. “Fine. Why do you ask?”

  Adam chuckled, and Dec’s hand tightened on the phone. “Sophia still staying with you?”

  He rubbed the back of his neck and leaned on the counter. “Yeah. She’s looking for a place, though. I don’t mind her being here.”

  “It never occurred to me that you would. You typically don’t mind having gorgeous women in your presence.”

  It wasn’t untrue, but still, Declan’s jaw tightened. “Don’t be a dick.”

  His friend easily ignored him. “Marcus know?”

  Declan ran a hand through his hair. “She needed some time.”

  “Your funeral, pal. You know what you’re doing here?”

  Hell, no. He had no idea. “I’m just being a friend.”

  Adam laughed. “What about your quest for the perfect wife?”

  Why had he told Adam about how he’d been feeling? Because you’re an idiot.

  “I didn’t say that’s what I was looking for. I’m just looking for…more. I know what I’m doing. I’m helping Sophia out. The two things are mutually exclusive.”

  “Uh huh. So you’re not attracted to her?”

  Fuck. “What’d I say? Don’t be a dick.” He rested his head against the cool glass of the window.

  “I’m not trying to be. Sorry. Listen, if you’re serious…” Adam trailed off.

  They’d been friends for most of their lives, and Declan knew Adam would support whatever Declan wanted. Do you even know what that is? Until now, until Sophia, he hadn’t been a hundred percent sure he was cut out for a full-blown relationship. It was like he’d taken one look at her and his heart had said, “I choose her.” Which was something he did not expect. His heart hadn’t made a lot of decisions in his life. Adam understood what that was like. He shouldn’t snap at his friend because he was worried and edging toward pissed off.

  “What?” Declan asked, trying for a nicer tone.

  “There’s this app, Tinder?”

  Declan growled. “Dickhead.”

  Adam’s laugh rang through the phone. “See you Saturday, man.”

  Declan stopped himself from throwing his phone down, but it took effort. When Adam and Megan had been dancing around being crazy for each other, Declan offered Megan some advice. He’d thought he was helping Adam’s hot nanny avoid crushing on her boss. His best friend was a stickler for rules and wanted nothing to do with the rainbows and happy-ever-afters Megan was chasing. So, he’d suggested she check out Tinder. For Adam. Not for herself. Adam had been twenty kinds of mad.

  Walking to the fridge, Declan couldn’t help but smile. If Adam could find love, so could he. Not that Adam wasn’t a lovable guy, but after a bad marriage that left him as a single dad, his friend had been dead set against any emotional entanglements. There was no way he could walk away from Megan, though. She’d hooked him fully and completely.

  Declan still wasn’t entirely sure what he was looking for, but he knew he wanted to feel the contentment, the certainty, that Adam did when he spoke about Meg. Or looked at her. Or thought about her.

  Yeah. He wanted that really fucking bad.

  Checking the contents of his fridge and finding it lacking, he settled on a huge bowl of cereal. He took it to the living room and settled in front of the television, then managed to keep his mind off Sophia…for about twenty minutes.

  When a knock came, he frowned but jumped up just the same. He’d given her a key, so why the hell was she knocking?

  Yanking the door open, he was met with Marcus’s furious scowl.

  “What the hell, man?” Marcus’s words were hard and loud. He stepped forward, right up in Declan’s space.

  Declan put his hands up in front of his chest. “Hold on, man. Before you lose your sh—”

  The words were cut off by Marcus’s right hook. Declan went back a step, his hands flying to his nose. He cursed, feeling the blood stream.

  “Son of a bitch. You punched me!”

  Marcus
crowded in, his breathing heavy and harsh. “Is that who you had here the other night? My baby fucking sister?”

  Declan grabbed a few Kleenex from the box on the coffee table and shoved them against his face. Fury laced his words. “I gave her a place to stay. Nothing more. She needed a couple days to settle. I cannot believe you punched me.”

  The cold air shuffled in, but the two men stood squared off, Marcus with his hands on his hips, his chest heaving up and down, Declan with one hand to his face, blood staining the other.

  “How could you not tell me she was here? I swear to God, if you fu—”

  “Finish that sentence and I’ll hit you back, man. And I’ll give you a lot more than a bloody nose. I gave her a place to stay. She needed someone she could count on because she was too damn scared to go home to you guys.”

  Sure, he was skipping over the world-altering kiss, but that hadn’t happened when Marcus had shown up the first time.

  “You lied to me.” Hurt cut through his friend’s gaze, and Declan felt it in his gut. Yeah. He’d lied to his friend, and that put him in the wrong.

  Pulling the Kleenex away from his face, seeing that the bleeding had stopped, he tried to keep his tone even and calm even though nothing inside him felt that way.

  “Listen, she came to me, asking for a job. I gave her one because she’s damn good at what she does. She needed a place to stay. I gave her one. Because you’re my friend. What was I supposed to do, turn her away? She was heading to the inn. She’s an adult. She wanted time to settle. Not my place to get into your family drama.”

  Marcus shook his head, his lips curling unpleasantly. “You’re in it now. If she needed a place to settle, she damn well should have come home. That’s what family is for. Do you have any idea how hurt my parents are? She might technically be an adult, but she’s acted like a goddamn kid. I can’t believe you, man. I thought more of you.”

  The words cut, but Declan cooled his gaze and gave his friend the truth. “Back at you, man. Your sister should have felt like she could come to any of you. Now I see why she didn’t.”