“Okay.” Cat bit her lip. “Have you thought about including Hank in this lynch mob?”
“Hank’s fairly pissed right now. He cares about Jackson, but he’s got more pressing matters to address, like his recovery and his mother’s health. Besides, he’s not family. This is a family issue.”
“You’re right.” Cat rubbed her temples to stave off another headache. Nothing in her life was easy these days. Then again, life was rarely easy for anyone, so why should she expect anything different.
“See you tomorrow evening,” David said.
“Yippee.”
Cat waited by the carousel for her luggage, contemplating her conversation with David. She recalled the mess at Jackson’s home, Hank’s comments, and her own intuition about Jackson’s declining behavior. A sense of dread closed around her when she imagined his reaction to being deceived.
And Hank was probably feeling desperate about his future, and his mother. She stared at her phone, debating whether to call him. But he’d never been one to embrace help, and surely she’d be the last person he’d take it from now.
She’d drawn a line in the sand, and he’d raced across it.
Message received!
Besides, if she saw him, she’d probably throw herself at him and beg him for another chance, which would embarrass them both. Clearly he’d been moving on without thinking of her. Scowling, she shoved her phone into her purse. She’d deal with Jackson first and then think of some way to help Hank from a distance.
Mom,
Watch over us tonight. I doubt Jackson will think we’re helping him, so I expect things to get ugly.
I can’t afford to lose another person in my life, but if I don’t stand with David, we could lose Jackson forever.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Cat knocked on David and Vivi’s door, hoping she’d arrived before Jackson. She looked at the gift box in her hand and wished tonight were only about celebrating Vivi’s birthday.
“Welcome home.” Vivi hugged her. “Thanks for the gift. Do you mind if I open it later? I’m feeling a bit queasy now.”
“Me, too.” Cat glanced at her watch. “What time is Jackson coming?”
“Any minute.”
David handed Cat an iced tea.
“I could use something stronger,” Cat muttered.
“Under the circumstances, I thought it best not to serve alcohol tonight.” When Cat grimaced, David placed his hand on her shoulder. “I know you aren’t comfortable with my plan, but we’ve got to convince him to make some changes.”
“I agree.” She patted David’s hand. At least Cat didn’t have to worry about deflecting questions regarding her, Hank, or their business tonight.
A heavy knock at the door startled them all. When David opened the door, Jackson strode into the apartment smiling—a gift in one hand and a beer in the other. Oh, perfect.
“Happy birthday, V.” He tossed the package on the coffee table and pulled Vivi into one of his infamous full-body hugs. “I have to wonder what you could possibly wish for anymore, now that you’re finally married to David?”
“Oh, that’s easy.” Vivi forced a grin. “Happiness and love for everyone in this room.”
“That’s your wish?” He kissed her cheek then gulped a swig of his beer. “Once a sweetheart, always a sweetheart.”
When no one said anything, he cocked his head. “Uh, so what’s for dinner? I don’t smell anything. Are we ordering Chinese or going out?”
“We can decide later.” David gestured toward the living room. “First, let’s talk.”
Cat sat in a chair, avoiding Jackson’s gaze. Her fingers clutched the armrests. David and Vivi sat together, holding hands on the sofa. Jackson remained standing, crossing his arms and narrowing his eyes.
“I’ve trusted my gut my whole life, and it’s barking right now. What exactly is the topic of discussion?” Jackson glanced at David then pinned Cat with a hard stare that made her stomach clench. “Sis?”
Thankfully, David jumped in. “We’re all concerned about you and your drinking. You’ve put me off every time I’ve tried talking to you, but had I pushed harder, perhaps this lawsuit might’ve been avoided. Let’s face facts, Jackson. You’re in trouble and we want to help.”
Jackson smirked and then defiantly drained the contents of the beer bottle. “I don’t need your help. And if I’d known you were going to pull this, I’d have hired another firm to defend me against Doug’s bullshit allegations.”
“Hank doesn’t think they’re bullshit.” David, still and unemotional, kept his gaze locked on Jackson.