Dispute Resolution

Chapter Nine

Gray looked at his watch. Fuck it. He was late. Evie was going to kill him. He texted her to let her know he was just around the corner. She texted back almost straight away.

All good. Onto my second glass of wine. E.

That was exactly what he was afraid of. Evie had just finished her stint in rehab. He didn't want her falling back into those habits, especially because it was his fault for not being on time. Curtis rounded the corner and pulled up in front of Otto Ristorante in Woolloomooloo. Gray jumped out of the car and strode inside. Bronson, the maitre de whom he knew on a first name basis, met him straight away.

"Mr Holloway, we've been expecting you. Right this way."

Gray loved this particular restaurant. It was his favourite. The food was always good and the service impeccable. They knew him and what he expected, that's why he kept returning. His sister was seated in the corner at their favourite table, her face buried in her phone. He loved that kid, ever since she was the tiniest baby in the hospital and his mother had let him have his first hold of her. He and Dylan had always been protective of her, but it was Gray that she was closest to.

"Hey, kiddo," he said as Bronson pulled out his chair for him.

"Hey, yourself," she replied, smiling at him and putting her phone back into her oversized handbag.

"I'm sorry I'm late," he said as he took his seat, aware that most people in the restaurant were looking at them. He was used to it, he was also very good at ignoring it.

"A bottle of wine for this evening?" Bronson asked as he presented them with the wine list.

Gray glanced across at Evie. "Not for me," she said.

"Not for me either. Just a bottle of mineral water instead," Gray answered for the both of them. Bronson left. "How much have you had to drink?"

"Not a drop," she said smiling proudly. "I only told you that in the text so you'd hurry up and get here."

"Good girl."

"I wish you'd stop worrying about me so much."

"I can't help it," he said, shrugging. "How are you going with all the rehab stuff?"

"Fine," she said. "Twenty-eight days clean," she told him proudly.

"That's great." He smiled at her. "Is there anything I can help you out with?"

"Not right now. Besides, Seth has been helping me out a lot," she said with a smile.

Gray raised an eyebrow at her. "Seth?"

"I met him at the rehab facility. He's been through a lot, but he's sweet and understands me like no one else can."

Gray stared at his little sister, not realising how hard he was squeezing his fork until it bent.

"Say something," she said.

"When do I get to meet him?"

"Jesus, Gray. Put your shotgun away."

"You just told me you met him at rehab. I have every reason to be concerned about that."

"Or you could just trust me because I'm an adult and know how to make my own decisions."

"Yeah, sure, that's why you ended up in rehab in the first place," Gray said, then stopped. "I'm sorry, that was harsh. I just don't want to see you get hurt. I'm sure I'll like him when I get to meet him."