23. Evil Alliance
Chapter 23
Evil Alliance
Cece
“What are you doing for Thanksgiving, Anna?” I look up from the panel I was sketching out on my tablet.
Our story is almost perfect, so we’re drilling down on the details and laying everything out now. The submission deadline for Inx is December first, just after Thanksgiving. I might be biased, but I think our novel is perfect for what they’re looking for.
Yesterday, I worked my ass off to get the bonus project finished for my management class yesterday. I’ve still got other assignments on the go so I can hopefully get through this semester with decent grades. That’s all I need. To get through. Get my degree and move on with my life.
I’ve been so busy I haven’t seen Dev since I laid one last kiss on his forehead and snuck out in the middle of the night after the Halloween party. It’s been a long two weeks, but I’ve been thinking maybe we can hang out over Thanksgiving weekend. I wasn’t planning on going home and I know he doesn’t have anywhere to go, so I thought we might snag some alone time. That would be incredible. A few days to ourselves. No worries about Beau catching us. That’s what I want. To be able to call him mine in public. To tell my brother about him. But he’s not ready. I’m not sure if he ever will be. He values his friendship with Beau so much.
“I’ve gotta go home to Maine. Blake is coming with me. Should be fun.”
“Too bad. I was thinking maybe some sort of Friendsgiving thing, but I know Georgia is going home too.” It tracks. Just because I don’t have any desire to spend the holiday with my family doesn’t mean everyone feels that way.
“Yeah. But Dev is going to be around, right?”
“Yes.” I can’t help the smile that pops up whenever I think of him.
“How’s that going for you?” She slides a note over to me with a slight adjustment to the dialogue for the scene I’ve been working on. I nod.
“Fantastic. We haven’t been seeing each other enough, but he’s got hockey. I’ve got school, and this. We still text.”“Do you think you could see him more if you weren’t keeping it a secret?”
I pause my work, looking up to see her giving me a concerned look. “Maybe, but we can’t. Not yet.”
“Okay. But think about it. Do you really think your brother would be that upset if he found out? Dev is his best friend. He must trust him on some level. And you’re a grown ass woman. You get to make your own decisions. This isn’t the medieval ages. Your family isn’t going to sell you off for an advantageous marriage. You get to choose.”
“I know, but things are a little complicated right now. Beau is the only person on my side. It’s us against the rest of the family. There’s something up with him, too. He always puts a lot of pressure on himself, but something’s off. And then there’s Dev. What if Beau turns on him? I don’t think he could handle it. I couldn’t make him choose.”
She lays a hand on my arm. “You know what’s best for you. But you know. You wouldn’t be alone. You’ve got us now.”
Maybe she’s right. Maybe I should tell Beau?
And for the rest of our marathon work session, my phone eyes me from the corner of the desk, and not in the usual everyday addicted to my screen sort of way. More in an I’m-silently-judging-you sort of way.
It’s almost eight by the time I’m walking into my room with a lion-worthy yawn stretching my jaw. Feels more like midnight to me. My eyes hurt from staring at textbooks and screens. Loki, on the other hand, has reached crazy hour. He’s darting around his cage, climbing the walls and begging me to let him run free.
“What do you think, Loki? Should I talk to Beau?”
“You can probably get an answer from my magic eight ball that would be as accurate as asking that furry little thief.”
I spin around to see Georgia leaning against my door frame. That’s what happens when you leave your door hanging open in a houseful of nosy busybodies.“Well, what do you think, G? Should I tell my brother?”
Her perfectly plucked brows arch up to her hairline. “The only one that can answer that is you.”
Of course she has to go all mysterious psych major on me now. She’s got an opinion about everything. Except this one teeny tiny life changing thing.
“So helpful.”
The smooth weight of my phone is weighing me down. I slipped it out of my pocket without even realizing it while we were talking.
“I think you have your answer.”
Right. I guess I do.
I tap out a quick message.
Sibs coffee date tomorrow?
His response pops up seconds later.
Sure. All Capps? 10?
Done
And that’s the way it is between us. The way it’s always been. When one of us needs the other, we’re there. No questions asked. No hesitation. All in.
It doesn’t alleviate the butterflies rioting in my belly, but it does ease my mind a little. We love each other. We’re there for each other. End of story.
My stomach was all tied up in knots while I got ready for school, so I put on a dress and did my makeup. To see my brother. What is wrong with me?
There’s some regret now for sure. November is no time to be exposing your knees around here. The short black dress is dancing in the breeze, and I have to keep slapping my hands on my thighs to avoid flashing the entire campus. Been there. Done that. Did not like the results.
The butterflies have been attacking in waves. This morning, I was so nervous I thought I was going to throw up my breakfast, but then I was fine for my first class of the day. They’re back in full force now, twisting my guts around.
8:30 classes are the worst, and management is my least favorite, so there was nothing to distract me from the thoughts chasing each other around in my brain. Beau’s going to kill me. Worse, he’s going to kill Dev. He’ll tell our dad, and I’ll get pulled out of Lakeview. I know logically these are all crazy ideas. He loves me, and he loves Dev. We’ve always been a team against our parents. It’s not his fault he can do no wrong and I’m the perpetual fuck up.
Doesn’t change anything. No matter how many times I try to convince myself. There’s this deep sense of unease chilling my skin. I pick up my phone for the twenty-seventh time to cancel, only to slide it away with a sigh. Chimes ring out, ending the class, and I realize I didn’t take in a single word of the lecture. Luckily, Professor Douglas records all his lectures, so I can rewatch this one later. He likes the sound of his own voice way more than any of his students.
A hand lands on my head, but the fear quickly turns to annoyance when he rubs his knuckles in my hair. “Hey, Sissy. What are doing out here?”
I shove my brother away. “Enjoying the lovely weather, obviously.” A drop of rain calls out my lie as the sky finally lives up the gloomy promise it’s been threatening all morning. It’s the worst kind of fall day. Damp and windy.
He loops an arm over my shoulder in a bro hug. “Let’s get inside before you melt?”
“Are you calling me a witch?”
“If I did. You’d be a good witch. You know, one of the ones that collects every flavor of animal and then goes home to curse her enemies in secret.”
“Uh huh. You’re such an ass.”
“Yeah, but you love me.”
“Sure. Keep telling yourself that, little brother.” The face he gives me would look better on an ogre than a witch. He loves to pretend he’s the older sibling.
“Jazz!” My smile really spreads when I see my new friend behind the cash register.
There was already a big smile on her face when we stepped up to the counter, but when she spots us, it creeps up the side of her face, crinkling the corners of her eyes. She looks so different from when I met her at the Halloween party. I’m surprised I even recognized her without the massive wig and intricate makeup.
“Cece. Beau. What can I get for you two?” She ducks her head at Beau.
“She’ll have a kid’s hot chocolate, and I’ll have an Americano black.”
I appreciate the eye roll she gives my brother. “Not that there is anything thing wrong with a hot chocolate, but what would you actually like, Cece?”“I’ll have a London Fog, please.” I don’t think my stomach can handle coffee right now.
“Got it.” Her brown eyes flick up past my shoulder to check the line. “I’d love to chat, but we’re kind of swamped right now.”
“No worries. We should catch up later.” We tapped our contact info at the party, but I’ve been so busy with my school catch up, and my side project I haven’t had time to reach out.
“For sure. Have a good one. Both of you.”
Beau drops a ten in the tip jar. “I’ll wait for the drinks. Why don’t you grab us seats?”
I keep my eyes on the exterior door, watching students come and go. I’m half tempted to slip out with the crowd. Forget all about this crazy idea.
“What’s wrong?” Beau asks, slipping into the seat across from me before I can make my escape. A floral aroma wafts up from the red mug he places in front of me.
“What?”
“You’re chewing on your nails. ”
Right. Drawbacks of knowing someone literally your entire life are they know all your tells. We never were any good at playing poker against one another. Forming evil alliances? That we excelled at.
“Nothing. I’ve got a lot going on. School. This graphic novel I’ve been working on with Anna. Just busy.”
“Sure. Tell me about the graphic novel? How’s that going?”
“Great.” This I can talk about.
I’ve been keeping my eyes locked on my hands and then my drink since he sat down across from me. Afraid the twin intuition would give me away, and he’d guess my secret. But now that I’m looking up at him, he’s the one who looks off. His usually perfect hair is a little off kilter. Not enough for most people to notice, but I’m not most people. There are small lines of strain around his eyes that I’ve seen before. Whenever he’s been under a lot of pressure, they appear. Trying out for a new competitive team. Applying for colleges. Dealing with our father.
“What about you? Are you doing okay?” I reach over to place a hand on his.
“I’m fine.”
All I need to do is lift a brow at me, and he knows I can see right through his lie.
“No, you’re not. Don’t lie to me. What’s going on?”
He takes a sip of his drink, cursing. It spills over the sides of his mug when he slams it on the table. “That was fucking... I mean, freaking hot. ”
“Beau. You can swear in front of me. Also, I’m kind of disappointed you’re the reason they put those warning labels on hot drinks. I thought better of you.”“Shut up.”
“Never. Now tell me what’s going on? Is it the team? Girl problems. I don’t need details. Just the basics.”
“It’s not girl problems. I don’t have time for girl problems. And even if I did, you’re the last person I’d tell.”
“That’s because you know I’d side with the girl. Us women have to stick together.”
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. But you know I’m on your side if it’s anything else. Now spill.”
“It’s just team stuff. You wouldn’t be interested.”
“Come on. I’ve been listening to you talk about boring hockey stuff for decades now. I’m something of an expert. What’s going on?”
He sighs, fingers tapping out a familiar rhythm on the table, and I keep quiet, letting him get himself together.
“There’s been a lot of pressure this year after losing some of our best players to graduation. It’s something of a rebuilding year. And even though we have some amazing players, they’re not working together as well as they should be. There’s a lot of friction and issues. And it’s all on me.”
The reason his hair is less than perfect becomes obvious when he runs a hand through it, then smooths it down on repeat.
“You’re a team, right? It’s not all on you. ”
“Yes, but I’m the captain this year. I’ve got to pull them together. It’s my last chance at this.” The creases around his eyes have deepened, and the look in his eyes is wistful, almost haunted.
“It’s not your last chance. You’ve got years to play hockey.” I try to activate a little twin mind reading power, but he’s not giving anything away. At least not anything specific.
“Sure.”
“I’m sure you’ll get a contract. You’re an incredible athlete.” We might tease and torment each other, but when it comes down to the important stuff, I support him a hundred percent.
“Anyway, at least I’ve got Dev.”
He’s still visibly tense, but there’s a visible softening of his shoulders, as if his best friend helps ease the burden of leadership for him. My stomach drops, leaving me breathless. I can’t take that away from him. It sounds like Dev is the one thing holding him together right now. If I mess that up, it’s on me.
“Right. Yeah. It’s good to have friends.” I nod at him, but it’s an unhappy smile that pulls my lips up.
“He’s not just a friend. He’s like family. I don’t know what I’d do without the guy.”
My mouth has gone dry, and the London Fog tastes like dishwater when I take a swallow. “Well, let me know if you need anything else from me. I’m always here for you.”
“I know. Thanks, Sissy. It was great talking about this with you. But you’re the one who invited me. I know there must be a reason. What’s going on with you? ”
The tea goes down the wrong way until I’m coughing and sputtering in the most embarrassing way.
He leans in. “Everything okay?”
I nod, clearing my throat. “Just went down the wrong way. My voice is raspy, dragging on each word.”
“I’m sorry for monopolizing your time. What’s going on with you?”
Umm. Think brain think. “My graphic novel.” That’s exciting news. “Anna and I are putting the final touches on it. We’re going to enter it in a publishing contest. It’s really good. I like to think my characters were solid before I started working with her, but now, together. We’re leveling up. It’s an amazing collaboration.”
“Good for you. That’s amazing. I’ve always been jealous of your artistic abilities.”
“Have you?” I’m surprised. He’s always been consumed by sports. Especially hockey. Not much time for anything else. Other than when Dad drags him in on some work nonsense.
“Yes. Creating something out of nothing. That’s amazing. Just like you. You’re fantastic. I can’t wait to read your comic.”
My neck feels hot. I love compliments, but they also make me weirdly uncomfortable. But I also feel even guiltier. It’s going to swallow me whole if I don’t get it under control.
He glances at the gold watch on his wrist. What other college kid wears a fancy watch? Not many. “I’ve got to get going. I have a class. Don’t wanna be late. Thanks for listening.”
I’m not saying you’re welcome. I don’t deserve the praise.
“Right. Me too. ”
I push up from my chair, and he reaches out to put a hand on my arm.
“Listen. You are coming home for thanksgiving, right?”
I’m studying my shoes again “I wasn’t planning on it.”
“Cece. Please. I need you there. I can’t handle dad on my own. Please tell me you’ll come home.”
I sigh, knowing I owe him after what I’m doing, or rather, who I’m doing, behind his back.
“Fine.”
“Great. We’ll take soon. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
And then he’s off, leaving me behind with my over-packed suitcase of lies and deceptions weighing me down.