Chapter 16 #2
Becky gives me a warning look. “Try not to have too much fun.”
“You seriously want to talk about my sex life?” I joke, needing to disperse some of this tension.
Her nose scrunches at my words. “Hell to the no.”
Laughing, I watch her as she shoots me one last warning look before she turns around and returns inside. I follow her, the smile still plastered on my face, but I can’t help but feel the weight of her words—her warning—on my shoulders.
Dinner is… lively. Everybody is chatting animatedly, and I listen with half an ear to all the conversations, taking it all in.
Miguel and Chase talk about some horses my brother got recently.
Although Miguel is playing professional football, he makes it a point to come home any chance he can, even if it’s for a day.
Jax is sitting on his lap, his eyes wide open as he observes his surroundings.
Kyle left after dinner to take a shower and get ready for bed since it’s a school night, while Becky and Rose are discussing whatever book they’re reading.
The house isn’t the only thing that’s changed around here.
My siblings have created families of their own.
They have their own lives now.
Hope, laughter, and love now fill the rooms that always felt silent and empty.
I don’t remember the last time our house was this full of people. If it had ever been this full of people. Maybe it was. Before. I was so young when our lives changed that I barely remember how it used to be before everything went to shit.
And whose fault is that?
That familiar guilt claws its way up my chest, making my throat feel tight.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, snapping me out of my thoughts. I swallow hard, uncurling my fingers and sliding them into my pocket. Blinking away the haziness, I zero in on the phone, my whole body relaxing a bit when I spot the name on the screen.
Trouble:
An interesting thing happened a little bit ago.
I grin as I quickly type back.
Matthew:
Oh yeah? What’s that?
The reply is almost instantaneous.
Trouble:
I parked my car, and my porch light turned on.
Know anything about that little tidbit?
I bite the inside of my cheek.
Matthew:
Nope.
But whoever it was is seriously smart.
Trouble:
Oh, please, just admit it.
Admit it and miss out on all the fun? Hell no.
I had some time today, so I stopped at the store and bought everything I needed.
I planned on bringing it to her and asking if I could install it for her, but when I found the driveway empty and the house quiet, I figured it might be a sign, so I just went with it.
Matthew:
Admit to what?
I know nothing about anything.
Do you want to make a police report? Trespassing? I guess I can help you with that, although don’t you think it’s a bit rude considering they did such a nice thing for you?
Trouble:
Mmhmm…
Don’t know anything about anything, my ass.
Matthew:
Now, if you had a proper security system in place, maybe you’d know who was at your place while you were gone.
Yes, this is Bluebonnet Creek, but one can never be too careful. She’s a single woman who lives in a house at the end of the street by the woods. She needs to be more aware of her surroundings.
Trouble:
Don’t go pushing it, Williams.
I guess since I don’t know who it was, I can’t properly thank them, can I?
Little wench. Now she’s playing me, and she knows it.
Matthew:
What would properly thanking them entail?
Maybe if they knew there was a reward, they’d be more inclined to come forward.
Trouble:
Doesn’t matter now, it’s already too late. *sigh*
Matthew:
Well, you could always share with me.
Fake boyfriends should have some perks.
“What are you smiling at?” Becky asks, trying to peek at my phone, but I quickly lock it.
I glare at her. “None of your business. Don’t be so nosy.”
“That’s my job.” She jabs me in the side. “After all, I’m your favorite sister.”
“My only sister.”
Becky pokes her tongue out at me. “Same difference.”
“C’mon, Red. Leave the poor guy alone. Can’t you see he’s texting his girl?”
My stomach tightens at his words.
My girl.
No, Jessica isn’t my girl.
Not really.
Then why the hell do I like the sound of that?
My brother-in-law winks at her. “I’m sure you wouldn’t want to show other people our messages, now would you?”
My sister blushes, which makes me groan.
“TMI,” Chase grumbles from the other side of the table. “Seriously, why are y’all even still here?”
Rose swats him gently on the arm, chuckling. “Be nice.” She turns to me, giving me a soft smile. “I think it’s cute. You should invite her over for a family dinner sometime.”
Family dinner.
My throat feels tight, so I have to force the words out. “Thanks, Rose.”
I look around, suddenly feeling restless here. In the house I grew up in, that feels nothing like it, surrounded by my siblings who have their shit figured out.
It’s like the walls of my childhood home are closing in on me, making it hard to breathe.
“I think I’ll leave you all to it. Gotta get up early for my shift. Can’t give Jenkins a reason to fire me.” Pushing to my feet, I glance at Rose. “Thank you for dinner. It was amazing.”
“Anytime.”
Nodding, I scan the rest of the faces. “I’ll see you guys around?”
Not waiting for an answer, I go for the door, tugging at the collar of my shirt. It’s late, and there’s a chill in the air that I welcome wholeheartedly as I inhale a deep breath.
Maybe I should go out for a run.
You cannot outrun your demons.
I can damn sure try.
“Matthew!” The door slams closed behind me. “Wait.”
“I’m really not in the mood, Becky,” I mutter, itching to get the hell out of here, but my sister has other plans.
She catches up to me, her fingers wrapping around my wrist, forcing me to stop and face her. “About earlier…”
“It’s fine. I get it. Trust me, I’ve always known Jessica Richards is way out of my league.”
My sister studies me for a moment in silence, and that familiar restless feeling grows inside me.
Rebecca might be only four years older than me, but since our dad died and our mom got depressed, followed by getting diagnosed with early on-set Alzheimer’s, she’s taken on the role of our mother.
She has always been the one to look after me and Chase, making sure we had everything, that the house was spotless, and that nobody went hungry.
For all intents and purposes, she was the one who raised me.
She’s the glue that holds our family together.
“She’s not out of your league.” She lets out a sigh. “I’m just worried about her. About both of you. I love both of you, and I don’t want anybody to get hurt.”
“I won’t hurt her,” I promise.
And it’s a promise I plan to keep.
Just like the promise I made to Jessica.
Three months, then we’re going our separate ways.
I lift my hand, rubbing the middle of my chest.
My heart, though?
I’m not so sure about that one.
Because while she might be right where I left her, to me, she’ll always be the one who got away.