Chapter 34
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chrissy
“ W hat do you mean you’re not coming?!” I burst through Max’s bedroom door.
Thankfully, he’s decent.
“Chrissy! Jeez, woman.” He grasps at his chest with wide eyes. “What if I was naked?”
“That’s not the point! Ash said you’re not coming tonight?”
“I have to work. I have a high-profile case that needs my immediate attention.”
“It’s a federal holiday,” I pout and stomp my foot like a toddler.
“And I’m a federal lawyer. This case requires my attention, even on days off.”
“I call bullshit. Where’s Gwen?”
Before he can answer, I walk into Ash’s room and find Gwen tying her sneakers.
“Did you know?” I ask, more upset than angry.
“Know what?” she responds.
“That Max isn’t coming tonight.”
“What?! Maxim Waylen!” She storms past me and into his room.
“When did my mother get here?”
“I knew you two were up to something.” She pokes at his chest. “When was someone going to tell us?”
“Fuck me. Ash!” Max calls for support, but it’s fruitless.
“Get your ass into some casual attire and bring your ass downstairs before I?—”
“Gwen, Chrissy, I have work.”
“One night, please,” Gwen begs, and I join her.
“Come on, celebrate America with us.” I quiver my lower lip.
“Jesus, where’s Ash? Ash!”
“Please, Max,” Gwen whines. “ Pleeeeeease. ”
“Gwen, you’re breaking my heart. I really can’t?—”
“Come on, spend the night with your favorite people. What happened to family sticks together?” I feign some tears.
“Oh my god,” Max sighs and drags his hand over his face.
“ Maaaaax , please!” we both plead, hoping to break down his stubborn resolve.
“What the hell is going on?” Ash asks from the bottom of the stairs, holding back a chuckle when he sees Gwen and me pleading with his older brother.
“Someone forgot to tell the girls I wasn’t coming tonight,” Max chastises Ash.
“I didn’t forget. I was hoping they would sucker you into going.”
“Fuck me . . .” Max grumbles.
“Oh, I wasn’t expecting this,” Rome blurts out when he appears in front of the doorway.
“Rome! My favorite blondie, please tell the girls I can’t go. You’ll have fun without me.”
Rome’s expression falls. “You’re not coming with us?”
“Oh. . . fucking, fine! Fine, you win. I’ll get changed.”
“Really?!” Gwen and I squeal at the same time.
“Yes, I accept defeat. Give me ten minutes.”
“Thank you!” I kiss his cheek obnoxiously, and he cringes.
“Family outing!” Ash cheers while Zack appears next to Rome.
“Looks like you won’t be fifth wheeling it tonight.” Rome nudges Zack’s arm and smirks.
“Thank god. Before we go, though, you.” My brother points at me. “We need to talk.”
I follow Zack into the kitchen while the others finish getting ready.
I had to fight the desire to hug Rome and kiss him until my lips went numb. His ocean-scented skin is intoxicating, proving tonight is going to be a challenge.
Zack pulls a stool out and gestures for me to sit. As I get comfortable, he settles beside me and rests his elbow on the counter. He looks at me for a moment.
When I look at him, I still see the boy I grew up with.
Zack and I aren’t identical twins. He has black hair, while mine is gold. I don’t have my freckles anymore, but my eyes are the same as his.
We’ve been through it all together. Looking back, our relationship was never strained. Sure, we had our ups and downs, and his protective streak kicked into high gear when I started dating in middle school. But it never drove a wedge between us. He never took his frustration out on me. He would voice his concerns about the guys I was interested in and then tell me he was there if I needed him. The snide remarks didn’t come until later, and it was only because I started taunting and teasing him about his protectiveness. I knew and still know that I can go to him about anything. He only has my best interest at heart.
“I’m sorry we haven’t gotten the chance to talk yet. We’ve both been understandably busy,” he starts. “I wish you had told me about your feelings toward Rome.”
“I didn’t want to hurt you. I didn’t want you to think I was betraying you.”
“When have I ever put something like that into your head?” He turns to face me, his expression soft yet full of disappointment.
“Never. You never made me feel like I couldn’t tell you anything.”
“So why? Why didn’t you tell me? Why did I have to learn about this from Rome?”
“I was scared.” I stumble over my words. “I didn’t want you to feel like I wasn’t taking your feelings into consideration. I passed the feelings off as nothing more than a crush. For seven months?—”
“Seven months?” His voice raises slightly in shock. “Chrissy. . .”
“I—I don’t have a valid reason other than I was scared of pushing you away.”
“I know how I am. It started becoming abundantly clear when Gwen started seeing Ash. I’m too protective, and it comes across as toxic. I’m trying to be better. I don’t want either of you to be scared to tell me anything because you’re afraid of how I’ll react.”
I nod solemnly. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I should have talked to you sooner.”
Zack reaches out and squeezes my shoulder. “I’m happy for you. Rome is a good guy. I know he’ll take care of you and that you’ll take care of him. But please, for the love of the universe, don’t let me catch you two making out or fucking on the other side of the door. I don’t want another Gwen and Ash flashback.”
“I promise,” I giggle as I recall last Halloween. “While we’re on this topic. There is something I have to tell you.” I hold his stare while sucking in as much courage as I can. “Miles and I had a thing last summer, and we semi-dated in the fall.”
He’s still for a moment like he’s processing. “Semi?”
“We went on a few dates. I ended things with him in early December.”
“He was there at Horror Fest. Why didn’t I put two and two together?” he asks himself while looking off into space.
“You were under a spell. I’m surprised you remember any of that night.”
“Yeah, well, I’m sorry you felt like you couldn’t tell me about Miles. It makes sense now why he was so upset at the end of the semester.”
“It was my fault,” I mutter.
“No, no, it wasn’t,” Zack states without hesitation. “You did the right thing. You shouldn’t have forced yourself to stay if you weren’t feeling the way he was. You did the right thing for yourself. Which, in itself, is commendable.”
Tears sting my eyes. I lean across the gap between us and wrap my arms around him. “What did I do to deserve a brother like you?” I ask before sniffling.
He hugs me and pats my head. “You’re you, and while I may want to shake you sometimes, I love you and that’s enough.”
Pulling back, he messes with my hair while I wipe my tears away. “Thank you. It means a lot.”
“I’ve only ever wanted you to be happy. If Rome makes you happy, if he’s the one you want, all you had to do was tell me.”
“He makes me happy, trust me.” I smile at Zack before smirking mischievously. “ Very happy, if you know what I mean.” And I give him a sloppy wink.
“Oh, come on, gross!” He gags and pushes me away from him. “Ash, I need that barf bag!”
I cackle and almost fall off my stool as Zack continues to pretend to throw up. He gets up and starts to walk away from me.
“Wait, come back! I have more to share.”
“No! Stay away from me, you freak!”
“Let me love you!” I chase him into the living room and giggle manically.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Rome catches me in his arms and weaves his fingers into the hair at the base of my neck before tugging.
“Hey, you.” I greet him as he lifts me off my feet.
His pecs press into my chest while his arms secure me close. He’s wearing a red Castle Brook football shirt and black shorts, and his hair is damp from the shower, messy yet sexy.
“Have I told you how stunning you are?”
My cheeks flush. “Multiple times.”
“Well, you are beautiful.” Rome kisses me, and the butterflies in my stomach flutter rapidly into my chest.
“I think I’m gonna cry,” Gwen whimpers.
Our lips part, and I turn to face the audience gathered by the front door. Gwen pretends to dab the tears from her eyes, and Ash is slipping on a pair of sandals while Max scrolls through his phone.
When Zack peeks into the room, he purses his lips. “I lied. Now , I need the barf bag.”