Chapter 1

I stood in my sister's small, outdated kitchen and held the thick, expensive-looking paper in my hands. On the top, written in a bold, elaborate script, were the words Last Will and Testament.

"Why are you showing this to me?"

My sister, Allison, stood in the patch of early-morning sunlight coming through the dingy window, tugging nervously on her dark curly hair. "I wanted you to know ahead of time so you wouldn't be surprised."

"Surprised by what? And why do you need a will? You're only twenty-five."

"I know," she said anxiously. "But I have to protect Cody."

"Protect Cody?" I repeated. "What are you talking about?"

"I made you his guardian," she said quietly. "In case something happens to me."

My mind blanked out. I sank onto one of her uncomfortable kitchen chairs. I wanted to object. There had to be someone better qualified. I ran through all of our relatives. My brain helpfully cataloged the reasons why each of them should never go near my three-year-old nephew. My parents were alcoholics who barely left the house except to go to their respective jobs. I had no idea how they even kept them. My older brother, Roy, was a drug dealer, although he would deny it with his last breath. Cody's father was in prison for armed robbery.

"Allie, why do you think something will happen to you?" My stomach clenched. "Are you sick? Is that what this is about?"

She shook her head and sat across from me. "No, I'm not sick. It's just…" She sighed. "Do you remember Tracy? She was in my class in high school."

I shrugged. "I think so? Short blonde hair. Wasn't she a cheerleader or something?"

Allie rolled her eyes. "No. She played field hockey." She made a face. "Like I'd hang out with a cheerleader."

"What? All the ones I met in high school were nice," I said.

She scoffed. "They wanted to get in your pants, Zachary."

I smirked. "Some of them did."

Allie huffed impatiently. "We're getting off track. Tracy got pregnant when she was in college. Her boyfriend kept saying it wasn't his, even though she'd never been with anyone else. She ended up having the baby by herself. She had to quit school and get a job. Her parents were so pissed and wouldn't help." Her brow creased in a worried frown. "Last year, she died after falling and hitting her head."

"Oh shit," I said.

Allie nodded in agreement. "Her little girl, Katie, was four when Tracy died. She had no will, and no one was listed as the guardian. There was a huge custody battle between her parents and the father's parents, who suddenly decided they wanted to be part of Katie's life. Katie's father got involved, got a DNA test to prove he was the father, and the court had to give him the child even though he'd had nothing to do with her before Tracy died."

"But isn't that a good thing?" I asked.

Allie shook her head. "No. He's a terrible person. He drinks all the time and mostly leaves Katie with his parents, who are also terrible people. And they won't let Tracy's parents see Katie at all."

"That sucks."

"It does," she said. "And you know our parents are just as bad. I can't leave Cody alone with them even for an hour. There's no way they would be capable of taking care of him if something happened to me."

I knew she was right. But then I thought about my own life. I did all right for myself, but I had to work full-time as a mechanic, part-time as a bartender, and be part of the Army National Guard to make a comfortable living. "Are you sure I'm the best choice? What about Nico's parents? Wouldn't they want him?"

Allie frowned and shook her head. "They don't want anything to do with Cody or me because I'm not Greek."

My mouth dropped open. "What. The. Fuck? That's their grandson. What difference does it make?"

"I don't know," she replied sadly. "Nico wasn't that close to them to begin with. Then, when he got in trouble, they just cut him off and cut off Cody by extension. I think it's really because Mom is half-Black."

"Yeah, well, them being pure Greek didn't keep their precious son out of prison," I snapped.

"Zach," Allie admonished. "He's still Cody's father. He's a good man who did something stupid. I talk to Cody about him, and he has a picture of his dad in his room. Please be careful what you say about Nico when you're around him."

I sighed. "I'm sorry. I know he tried to do right by you and Cody. He just went about it the wrong way."

Her eyes were shiny with unshed tears. "Yeah."

I stood and went around the small table. I pulled Allie out of her seat and hugged her. "I'm sorry. I know you loved Nico."

She stepped back and shook her head. "It's okay. I know he screwed up big time and got involved with the wrong people."

I blew out a long breath. "Okay, I'll agree to be Cody's guardian. But you're going to live to be a hundred, right? I love Cody, but I'd much rather have you around."

"That's the plan," she said with a smile. "Oh, and I also gave you power of attorney. You'll have authority if I'm ever incapacitated."

I groaned. "Okay. I'll look at all that paperwork later."

She put her arms around my waist and rested her head against my chest. She didn't even make it to my shoulder. I kissed the top of her head. "Please tell me you're being safe. That guy you were dating before was an asshole. I'm glad you kicked him to the curb."

"That was you who kicked him to the curb," Allie retorted.

I tightened my hold on her. "Yeah, well, nobody puts their hands on my sister."

Allie smacked my chest. "You're such a caveman."

"It's not being a caveman to not want some guy beating on my sister," I insisted.

She leaned back a little and looked up at me. "You've always taken care of me, Zach. I don't think I could have done any of this without you."

"I'll always be here for you, Allie."

I heard the patter of little feet running and then tiny arms wrapped themselves around my leg. "Uncle Zach!" Cody said.

I picked up my nephew, holding him so I could kiss his dark curly hair. He was carrying a Batman action figure. "Who's that?"

"Batman!" he shouted.

"That's right," I said. I made exaggerated kissy noises on his cheek. Cody squealed and giggled.

"You're so good with him," Allie said. "I know I'm making the right decision."