Torn: Part Two (An Alpha Billionaire Romance) (The Torn Series Book 2) by Sky Corgan Read Free Book Online

smirks as if me being upset is amusing.
    “It doesn't matter," I grumble.
    “It does matter. Kids are impressionable. They follow their parents' lead. If their father was as much of a slob as you're saying he was, and your mother always made you clean up after him and them, then why wouldn't they continue that pattern of behavior? If your parents never got onto them for being messy, then why would they stop?
    “I know that sounds horrible, but that's the way things often are. Most people don't magically inherit compassion, especially at such a young age. And boys are the worst.” She rolls her eyes. “How old are they now?”
    “The oldest one is fifteen. His younger brother is eleven.” I sink back into my chair, crossing my arms over my chest.
    “Good. They're much older now.” She nods. “Don't punish them for what their father did. They have nothing to do with that. They're likely hurting just as much as you are. And don't think of them and yourself as you were when you lived together previously. You're the adult now, and they'll listen to you. Maybe not right away.”
    “Or not at all. We're practically strangers to each other,” I cut her off.
    She closes her eyes, and I realize that I should have kept my mouth shut. “They will. Give them time. And be compassionate. The kinder you are, the more you can communicate, the more likely they are to listen to you. Trust me on this. They know they're not the only ones who lost someone. They know that things are going to change. You just need to show them the way.”
    It's an oddly comforting thing to hear. Motherly advice. Maybe I have been too hard on the boys. Have been raising my guard too high, refusing to let them in because of distant painful memories. There's no reason for me to continue to be so bitter towards them when we're all hurting right now.
    “Thanks, Ann.” A small smile lifts the corners of my lips.
    “No problem, dear. Life is hard sometimes, especially when faced with seemingly impossible scenarios. I can't offer you much, but I'll be here to listen and give you advice when I can. It's the least that I can do.”
    “It's more than enough.”
    “Now how about we get some to-go boxes and head back. I'm sure you have a lot to think about.” Ann gazes at me across the table with a twinkle in her eyes, and I know that she can tell that her words have made a difference.
     
    ***
     
    Theory and practice are two different things.
    The second that I step through the door of my house, I have that nagging uncomfortable feeling in the pit of my stomach. I know I shouldn't dwell on the past, but just looking at the kitchen and thinking about how Earl left the milk out this morning makes me angry.
    This is your chance to retrain them. You're the adult now. You make the rules. I repeat that mantra in my head several times. They're hurting right now. You should be there for them.
    I walk into the living room and find both boys sitting on the sofa watching Sons of Anarchy. There are empty paper plates on the coffee table and opened soda cans without coasters beneath them. My right eye twitches as the yearning to yell at them kicks in. Then I realize that I need to take a step back. Being pissed off has gotten me nowhere with them so far.
    “Hey, guys. Whatcha watching?” I lean over the side of the sofa nonchalantly.
    “Television,” Earl grunts, not even turning to look at me.
    How I want to ring his little neck. Or at least smack him in the back of the head. If we were blood-related, I wouldn't hesitate to do it. He's being a rude little shit.
    “Did you have a good lunch?” My gaze falls to a mustard smear on one of the plates.
    “We had corn dogs.” Joe's large brown eyes meet mine. He's oblivious to the tension between Earl and I, definitely the sweeter of the two boys.
    “Were they good?” I cross my arms over the back of the sofa and smile at him.
    “Mhm.” He nods.
    “Could you be quiet? We're trying to watch television,” Earl barks