Yes, she understood he was angry, hurt. He felt betrayed. But he had to understand why she had to do what she did. She’d warned him from the beginning she’d stop at nothing to protect Clair. What she needed now was to know with all certainty whether there was even the slightest chance of things still working out for them. That no matter what, nothing short of her willfully betraying him would be the only reason he'd cut them off again the next time he was so insanely angry.

At the moment, she couldn’t think of anything she might ever do from here on that would make him this angry ever again, but she still needed to be certain. Ironically, what she loved so much about AJ—his intense passion when it came to everything—made her nervous now. This was a different side of his passion he was showing her: the finality with which he so easily had dismissed not just her but Clair because he wasn’t responding to any of Clair’s texts either.

So her final ace would just have to remain in her pocket, no longer a device she’d use to get him to listen to her. That wasn’t what she wanted it to be, not anymore, not after he so coldly shut both her and Clair out. It was one thing to be angry and hostile to Addison because he really felt he had reason to be. As much as Addison was trying to be understanding, as much as it hurt to think she just might have to cut all ties if it meant protecting Clair’s heart, she’d just have to do it. She’d never stop protecting Clair.

No matter what.

Chapter 29

AJ

Bereft.

Despite a house full of family and friends, it was all AJ felt that morning. While everyone was there—anxious, excited, and full of hope about that evening’s game—all AJ felt was emptiness. His siblings, cousins, uncles, and friends gathered in and around the large kitchen, music playing as they happily prepared a feast for brunch. The Padres were heavily favored to win tonight and take the division championship title.

His home was loud and full of laughter. The Romeros were not quiet people. Get a whole bunch of them together and add a few SUVs full of Morenos, and you had an all-out party. It should have been a happy time. His uncles and his cousin Moe were at it as usual as Moe showed off his cooking skills and Manny and Max tried to intervene.

“Out of my way,” Moe said, shoving Max away from the stove with his hip. “You don’t know about this, right, Izzy?” He turned to look at his wife sitting at the large kitchen island with the other girls. “This is my specialty south-of-the-border breakfast casserole. I throw everything in there: sausage, chorizo, onions, peppers—” He stopped to slap Manny’s hand away. “Get out of there!”

“You didn’t add enough salt!”

“What’re you talking about? I probably put too much, especially for your ass! You’re not supposed to be eating any of this.” Moe turned to Manny’s wife. “Hey, Aida, get this old man some oatmeal and a grapefruit or something.”

“I think that’s enough food, honey,” Izzy said, glancing around the huge center island covered from one end to the other with trays and bowls full of food.

“Yeah, no shit,” Nathan said, picking at one of the large trays of chilaquiles Sal’s wife Grace had brought. “I know there’s a lot of us, but even we’re not gonna finish all this.”

“And remember,” Emi said, trying to slip past her husband, who pulled her to him. “There’s still all the pastries and desserts on the dining-room table.”

Emi kissed her husband, who to AJ’s annoyance slid his hand down and squeezed her ass. “Hey!” he said, beyond exasperated, pointing his open hand at him.

Sydney smirked and Emi laughed when she turned to see what AJ was protesting about. “My bad,” Sydney said, kissing Emi one last time on the temple. “Habit. I forgot where I was for a moment there.”

AJ frowned, shaking his head as Emi walked toward him. “For someone who’s about to win the division championship, you’re in a mood.” She pulled a carafe of orange juice out of the fridge then turned to him, lifting a brow. “I thought things between you and Addison were getting better?”

“Nope,” he said, glancing away because he knew there was no way Emi or anyone knew that brawl in the last game had anything to do with Addison. “It’s really over now.”

“Really?” She put down the carafe on the counter.

AJ was surprised by how genuinely disappointed his sister appeared to be by the news. He’d begun to think Emi didn’t like Addison a whole lot. Not after hearing him tell her about what happened at the hospital that horrid day when his heart had been so heavy. Not that his heart hadn’t been feeling the same for the last few days. Only the rage helped now. Thoughts of Addison continuing to stay in touch with the guy, running to him every time he asked her to, for the sake of protecting Clair . . .

There were other ways for her to protect Clair, without having to deal with him directly. He’d pointed a few of those ways out the day he’d been so infuriated with her—with Bigsby—with the fucking world. And what did she do? Not only did she take his call, she went running to him again the very night she’d frantically searched for her precious seven-year-old, who’d gone wandering around a hotel by herself because of him. The same night AJ had lost his shit and wanted to kill the motherfucker.

The coffee mug slammed so hard against the kitchen counter it smashed loudly and shattered into pieces. Except for the music still playing, the room was silenced and all eyes were on him.

“Oops,” he muttered, grabbing a towel, and began cleaning up the mess.

Emi helped pick up the pieces from the floor. “I got it, Em.”

Ignoring him, Emi continued to pick up pieces of his mug from the floor as the conversation in the room resumed. “You okay, little brother?” Liv rubbed his back with one hand and her belly with the other.

“I’m fine,” he said, even as he gritted his teeth.

He was actually, if he stayed angry, that is. As much as he didn’t want to think about the possibility that there was more to Addison’s refusal to cut things off completely with that asshole—more to him having a tattoo of the daughter he’d never wanted—the inevitable vehemence the thoughts brought on helped numb the pain. His fury won out every time and he knew it always would. He was counting on it because the temptation to answer her calls was too much. Each time he almost did, he’d think about what excuse she’d have for him now. Why she had to stay in touch with her ex.

AJ had been right on the nose way back. Back when Lorenzo had told him about having to deal with his ex-fiancée remaining amicable with her ex for the sake of her kid. AJ knew it then way back before things were even that serious between him and Addison—before he’d fallen so hopelessly in love with her and Clair—that he’d never be able to deal with it. And he’d been absolutely right.

Once he assured Liv he was fine and managed to turn it back on her, asking how she was doing since she looked ready to pop any day now, Liv waddled away, satisfied with his response. Then he turned to his other sister, who was still peering at him suspiciously.

“What happened?” she asked, crossing her arms.

Only because the others were far enough away and too engrossed in their conversations to hear them, he decided to let her in on it. Well, that and because he knew his obstinate little sister well enough to know she wasn’t going to just let this go. So he’d tell her. Sort of.

“Clair’s dad is back in their lives.” He shook his head. “I ain’t dealing with that shit.”

Emi’s eyebrows furrowed. “What do you mean back in their lives? Like she’s seeing him again?”