Chapter 10
CHAPTER 10
WILL
“ J ust do these edits and you’ll blow it out of the water,” I tell Karan, who’s typing out my notes on his laptop as if his life depended on it. Which it doesn’t. I still don’t get why Karan wants to transition out of game development and into software instead. The pay is higher, but the benefits he’ll lose will mean he’s making about the same thing.
I lean back against the cushy bench and close my eyes, shielding them against the sunlight streaming through the fiery canopy above. It’s lunchtime, so the courtyard terrace at Benelux is full. My pint, on the other hand, isn’t.
“Thank you, man,” Karan stammers and shuts his laptop. He crosses his mammoth-like arms together on the table, gripping his opposite elbows. “Now that the resume stuff is out of the way …”
I roll my eyes good-naturedly. “I knew it. What else do you need?”
He shoots me a gleaming smile as an apology, but it vanishes just as quickly as it came. He scratches his thick beard, looking uncomfortable. “It’s about Rachel.”
“What about her?”
“You know your mother’s birthday is coming up.”
I tense up. Yes. I know what this is about, then. The moment Océane told us about our mother’s escalated behaviour years ago—how she’d thrown a soda can at Océane’s head out of anger because she wouldn’t get up from the couch due to debilitating pain—enough was enough. For both Rachel and me.
Before then, Rachel had tried her best to convince my parents to go easy on Océane, or at least, to convince them Océane wasn’t ‘lazy’ as they believed. Even when they gaslit her into oblivion, or screamed at her for her falling grades, Rachel did her best to stand by Océane’s side and try to get my parents to understand. After all, Océane told Rachel everything that transpired in that house.
Not to me, though. I was too busy drinking or sniffing myself into oblivion with Matt to forget it was all happening in the first place.
The soda can incident changed everything. Rachel got Océane to move in with her, then helped her find a roommate later on when it was time for her and Karan to get their own place. I don’t think Rachel has spoken to either of my parents since that day.
I know I haven’t.
Now that they’ve moved down to Florida, we’re separated by more than just animosity. But still. I do my best to just bury it all deep where I can’t feel it, but Rachel could never do that.
“Let me guess,” I start, taking the last remaining sip of my craft beer. Despite the cool autumn breeze, my drink has gone lukewarm. “She’s gotten all moody and withdrawn.”
“Yup.” There’s worry haunting Karan’s brown eyes. “Like she does every year around this time.” I’m not surprised to hear about this. “She’s cold. Not mean or anything, but she’ll barely speak. And she doesn’t want to talk about it.”
“Look, man, you’re not going to like what I have to say.”
“What?”
“You can’t fix this.”
Karan’s jaw clenches. “So, I’m just supposed to let her be miserable?”
I give him a small smile. “No. Here’s what I propose—take the kids out somewhere. Mom’s birthday is in two weekends, so give Rachel the whole day.”
“And just leave her alone?” he exclaims.
“Course not, dumbass.” I chuckle. “I’ll spend the day with her. She can have a break from the kids, and if she wants to talk, I’ll be there.” For me, this is a step in the right direction. If I can’t be there for Océane yet, I can start with Rachel.
Even though it terrifies me.
Karan can’t see it right now, but if he were to look closely, there’s a slight tremble in my hand. He nods in approval. That grin is back on his face. “You’re a genius.”
“No. I’m just her brother.” I know how she gets when she feels like shit. Unlike Océane, who’s very openly emotional in front of others, a fighter, Rachel is a flighter.
I glance at my phone and raise my eyebrows at seeing the time. “I need to wrap this up soon. I’m meeting with Soph—I mean, a client.”
Karan’s eyes go wide. “Wait, what? Were you about to say Sophie? Sophie C?té? She’s your client?” His face goes pale.
Shit. I wasn’t ready to talk about this yet.
In all honesty, I’m still slightly terrified to face her today. I have no idea what came over me when I made her beg for my help over the phone. I couldn’t drop the cocky attitude for five minutes?
Apparently not. And now she’s going to be pissed.
I sigh and rub my face. “Don’t tell Rachel.”
He gapes at me. “So it is her. Holy shit.”
“Please don’t tell Rachel.”
“Why not?”
“It’s complicated.”
“Do you still like her?”
“I never said I liked her.” My heart skips a beat. “She has a business. Her business needs help. End of story. Now, can you swear to me that you’re not going to tell Rachel about this?” I narrow my eyes in a menacing stare. “You still need my help on our mother’s birthday, so watch yourself, man.”
Now it’s his turn to chuckle. “Okay, fine, fine.” He shrugs. “I won’t say anything for now. But I think you’ve got some shit to figure out.”
Does he think I don’t know that? I stand, determined to end this conversation. “Like I said, gotta go.” Without discussing it, we both understand he’s paying the bill today. “Remember what I said—don’t try to talk to Rachel about this stuff. It’ll just backfire.”
He ushers me off with a wave. “Got it. Thanks, man.”
I rush out of the microbrewery, wiping my face with a trembling hand as I ready myself for what is sure to be a difficult afternoon.