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looked out the window, so I took the opportunity to study him. I tried to picture him as this villain who was out to steal my girl, but I couldn’t. I really wanted to, but it wasn’t there. “That’s the plan anyway.”
    I nodded even though he wasn’t looking at me. “I plan on starting at Carrie’s school soon, too.”
    Riley turned back to me. “Oh yeah? What major?”
    “Uh…” I racked my memory for what I’d decided to do, but the word wouldn’t come. I knew it, but my fucking mind wouldn’t work. Another side effect of being almost blown to pieces, I guess. I couldn’t remember a damn thing. “I’m still deciding. Things got a little confused when I came home like this.”
    Riley nodded. “I can see why. I wish you all the best of luck, man.”
    “What are you going for?”
    “Law, of course.” Riley twisted his lips. “My father wouldn’t have it any other way.”
    I was about to ask him what he would do if it weren’t for his father, but the front door opened. “Is that Riley’s car I see out front?” Senator Wallington asked. “Where are you, boy?”
    George cleared his throat. “He’s in the living room, sir.”
    “They’re back,” Riley said unnecessarily. My brain might be scattered, but it wasn’t completely useless. Riley rose to his feet and smoothed his shirt. “You need a refill?”
    I looked down at my glass. I hadn’t even noticed I’d finished it again. How many had I had? My head was spinning a little bit already. Shit. “No, thank you. I’m fine.”
    My voice slurred on fine . Riley was polite enough to pretend he didn’t notice. “All right.”
    “Riley? Sorry to keep you waiting. We had to search for the perfect tree and—” Senator Wallington stopped in the doorway, his eyes going from me to Riley. I didn’t have to be sober to know who he preferred. “Oh. I see Griffin was keeping you company.” He eyed the whiskey on the table, and then pointedly looked at my empty glass. “Hopefully you two got along all right.”
    I flinched. Riley laughed and dragged his hand through his perfect hair. I missed my fucking hair. “How could we not? He was wonderful. Welcomed me into the home with open arms.”
    “Indeed.” Senator Wallington eyed me dubiously. He wasn’t flat-out rude, never that. But I knew he didn’t like me with Carrie. He tolerated me. Nothing more. “I’m glad to hear it.”
    I looked past him. “Where’s Carrie?”
    “She’s coming.” The senator gave me a tight-lipped smile. “She stopped to talk to your father.”
    Right. My father. I should have been spending time with him instead of drinking in the living room. I had questions to ask him. “Oh.”
    Senator Wallington turned to Riley. “Come and see the tree. It’s humongous.”
    “Sure thing.” After a quick nod, Riley turned to me. “You coming, Finn?”
    I shook my head. I didn’t need to go out there with a man who hated my guts to stare at a tree that would be inside the house soon enough. Especially when my head was spinning like a fucking carousel. I’d rather wait for Carrie to come inside. “Nah. Go on without me.”
    Senator Wallington eyed me suspiciously, but grinned at Riley. “Come on, then.”
    Riley went outside with him, not looking back again. Unable to resist, I stood at the window and watched him and the senator as they stood next to the car with the tree on the roof. It was fucking huge . Would probably fill up my entire apartment.
    But in this house? It would be just right.
    As I watched, the senator threw his arm around Riley’s shoulders and said something that made Riley laugh. He’d never accept me like that. Broken or not, he never would have been so friendly to me. It was time I accepted it. I was second choice.
    Hell, probably his last choice.
    Riley gestured to the tree while saying something that had the senator grinning. Carrie and her mother came up. While her mother beelined for Riley and the senator, Carrie started for the door. Her