Chapter 19

I understood why he didn’t look up at me. He wasn’t ignoring me. Only trying not to betray himself in front of the others.

We all sat in the living room, finishing our coffee. It was late and everyone had to be at work tomorrow morning. Despite the circumstances, we’d all had a good time. This was part of this family’s charm—ugliness didn’t seem to stick to them. It was obvious Dali had major issues with his older brother, but was here anyway. And even as Davinder and Eileen were on the brink of a domestic war, they’d come for Dayton’s birthday.

“So, Allan, are you seeing anyone?” Ingrid asked. “You must have a boyfriend.”

Why was she asking me this now? I cringed in my seat. I didn’t look in Davinder’s direction, but felt his stare. “No, not at the moment.”

“But he was with a guy for five years,” Elsie interjected. Why did she feel like she had to come to my rescue?

“Oh, and what happened?”

“We just kind of grew apart.” I looked over at my sister. “That was a long time ago.”