Page 16 of Keeping it Real

Eileen sighed.“This isn’t a competition, sweetheart.It’s the wind blowing a little course correction for you.But it’s only a temporary one.Just until the storm passes.”

Sheridan huffed a sigh as she sank back down into the chair.

“Would you mind giving Sheridan and me the room?”Alek asked.

The only person who looked like they might object was Sheridan.Instead, she crossed her arms defensively and remained where she was.Her aunt pressed a kiss to the top of her head before following Collin to the door.

Mum gave his biceps a squeeze.There was an odd look in her eyes.Almost as if she was proud of him.At least she didn’t think Alek was as crazy as he felt at the moment.

When the door closed behind them, he scooted the second chair closer to where Sheridan sat as if she were wrapped in a strait-jacket.He cautiously lowered himself into it so he was facing her.

“I should have consulted with you first,” he began.“I apologize.”

His words seemed to take away some of the tension in her shoulders.

Alek sighed.“I got caught up in the moment.He’s been through a lot, and I couldn’t ...let him down.”

She sighed softly and nodded.“Get used to it.He has Jamie’s charm, and he knows how to use it.”

He chuckled.“I’ve been warned.”

Her eyes were shiny when she finally met his.“Are you really serious about this?”

“I have a big house.I’m there only half the time.It seems like a solid plan while Collin gets the guardianship sorted out.”

“And once he does?What happens then?How do I tear Finn away from hockey games and his own private ice rink?”

Alek dragged his fingers through his hair.“Yeah.I probably should have given this more thought.”

She snorted.“You and Jamie both.”

The harsh way she said it surprised him.He didn’t like being lumped in with Jamie.This wasn’t Alek’s fault.Her brother was still jerking all of them around from the grave.

“One year.”Again, the words were out before he even registered thinking them.“You and Finn stay with me through the end of the season.Collin will have all the guardianship crap sorted out by then.That should be enough time for Finn and me to build a solid relationship.One that will be strong no matter where life takes us.I’ll be the role model Jamie wanted me to be.”

She snorted again.This time, her censure stung.

“Let me do this.I want to help.And not only with Finn.”He started to reach for her hand, but the stiff way she held herself had him jerking it back.“I want to help you, too, Sheridan.You were a big part of my college years.Jamie’s wasn’t the only life you made easier.Hell, you were practically a little sister to me, too.”

She jumped from the chair and stormed toward the door.“I can take care of myself,” she said without bothering to turn around.

Alek stood as well.Everything inside him was screamingdo not let her walk out the door.

“No one is doubting that,” he argued.“You’re the most capable person I know.But don’t you think it would be nice not to have to be everyone’s keeper for once in your life?Even if it’s only for a year?”

She paused with her hand on the doorknob.

“If you can’t do it for yourself, at least do it for Finn.”Alek was playing dirty pool.The Sheridan Cobert he once knewalwayssacrificed her happiness for the men in her family.It was in her DNA.As much as he’d wanted her to change, he took a shot that she hadn’t.

Her shoulders bunched up as she drew in a slow, deep breath.She pressed her forehead to the door.“Finn is the only reason I’m agreeing to this absurd arrangement.”

A rush of relief coursed through him.“Thank you.”

“Mm-hmm,” she replied before pulling the door open.

A dog was barking excitedly somewhere inside the bar.And not a small dog, from the sound of it.

“Someone brought a dog to a funeral?”Alek shook his head.He shouldn’t be surprised by the idiotic things people did.