Free All My Heart (Count On Me Book 4) by Melyssa Winchester

lawyer with the same request as always. Only this time, there’s something different about him asking. There’s desperation in his tone.
    “I know how you feel about everything, Kayden. You want nothing to do with Dean, but this isn’t like the other times.”
    “What makes this time any different Tom? He chose to plead guilty instead of letting it go to trial. He brought this on himself.”
    God, I don’t want to be dealing with this right now. I’ve already got enough baggage weighing down my mind tonight. The last thing I need is more. I’m about to go home and unwind with my girlfriend. I want the chance to do that without Dean taking up space in my head.
    When he was sentenced to ten years in prison it was supposed to be the end of it.
    “Dean had a visitor recently and that’s why he’s requesting the sit down. Any other time and I wouldn’t make the call, but you need to do this Kayden. What your brother has to tell you is important.”
    “If it’s so important, why don’t you just tell me?”
    “I can’t. As my client, what Dean says in confidence has to remain t hat way. Besides, this is his information to share, not mine.”
    Confidentiality my ass. That’s a bullshit excuse. He could simplify the situation right now by just tellin g me what Dean said to him. Instead he’s choosing to take the shitty way out, spouting off legal crap I don’t care about.
    This is Dean trying to control shit again. It’s not happening.
    “Tom, I’m not doing it. I’m done. The next time he wants you to reach ou t, go with your gut. Don’t.”
    There was a time not that long ago where I wanted something more from my brother. Still choosing to believe he could change and be a better person. I mean shit, if I could do it or at least start to, it had to be possible for Dean too, but those times are long gone. I don’t think change is possible for him.
    As long as he continues seeing the world the way he does, continues to drink and use drugs in an effort to block out the bullshit he’s going through with Mom leaving and being stuck raising me, he’s never going to change. He needs to want it and he just doesn’t.
    “I know how you feel about your brother. I was in the courtroom you know.”
    “You don’t know shit.”
    “So you didn’t take the blame for what happened that night?”
    “I did, but if you knew half of what you claim to, you’d know I’ve been taking the blame for Dean and his fucking shit for years. I’m sorry Tom. I know you’re just doing your job, but I’ve got somewhere to be and it’s not on the phone with you.”
    Hitting end on the call before he can respond, I toss it down on the seat and slam my fist off the steering wheel. Fucking Dean. Even from behind bars he won’t leave me alone.
    The way I wanted this night to go, it’s blown to shit now. Sitting here, I feel like I’m a kid all over again. I’m right back in that house of horrors when he beat the shit out me for the first time. I’m the same scared little kid I was then. The one that doesn’t understand why his brother hates him so much, why his mother hated him so much that she had to take off, and not having a place to put any of it.
    I’m the defective Walker boy my mom warned me about.
     
    Belle
     
    The minute I unlock the door, following Eric inside and kicking it shut behind me, I turn my attention to him and exactly what he’s doing here.
    I’m pretty sure he knows K ayden’s gonna be home soon. He’s also gotta be aware that when he’s home, we’re usually locked away in the house, wanting time alone together, so his visit right now makes no sense.
    “What are you doing here?”
    “I took Tristan and Summer to the movies and wanted to stop by and say hey before I head home.”
    Well that makes sense and makes me feel bad for asking the way I did. Eric and Tristan have been hanging out a lot more since I moved over here. It probably would have happened a lot sooner, but just like I was closed