Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
brYNN AND THE COMMUNITY CENTER
As the last golden hues of sunset bled out behind the skeletal remains of once glorious high-rises, I made my way back to Marla’s community center after leaving Shoemaker’s mansion and abandoning the heist. I walked past dilapidated buildings and graffiti-scribbled walls narrating tales of defiance and decay. Drones buzzed overhead like relentless mosquitos, surveilling for those who dared disturb the fragile peace of the city’s underbelly.
My shoulders slumped beneath the weight of the Nant-bot heist gone wrong, and my eyes darted nervously between alleys. Every rustle of wind whipped trash could’ve been Shoemaker’s goons, eager for retribution. The pounding of my heart echoed in my ears. I neared the community center.
Yet, I hesitated at the entrance, and when the door opened, it wasn’t just the familiar scents of old books and lemon cleaner that greeted me—it was home.
“Kay!” I barely managed to brace myself before she barreled into me, her light-brown hair a wild mane around her face, the freckles across her nose seemingly multiplying since I last saw her. “Brynn! You’re back!”
Marla followed, her blonde curls escaping the confines of her loose bun, framing her weathered and kindly face. She wrapped us both in her sturdy arms, a laugh rumbling from deep within her belly. The love we shared transcended blood; we were a chosen family, sculpted by the harshness of our world.
“Come on up, girls.” Marla ushered us toward the staircase, her smile the epitome of maternal warmth.
The narrow stairs lurched in protest under our weight. Pushing through the door to Marla’s apartment, the grim reality of the fell away like a discarded cloak. Warmth enveloped us, chasing away the heavy guilt that had clung to my skin for abandoning the Porters and leaving without saying goodbye.
Mismatched furniture littered the room. A colorful quilt lay draped over a patched-up couch, and an overstuffed armchair bore the sagging marks of countless occupants. Shelves lined the walls, crammed with books and trinkets from scavenging. Sunlight filtered through the cracks in the window, painting a golden hue on the wooden floorboards.
“Your safe now,” Marla said.
We settled into the cozy space. Kay curled up on the sofa, her legs tucked under her, the picture of childlike contentment. Marla took her place beside her, while I found myself anchored between them.
“Tell me everything,” Marla said softly.
Her eyes, those kind wells reflecting years of survival and compassion, fixed on me.
I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the past few months press down on me.
“Over the last few months, I pretended to be Shoemaker’s daughter, Elizabeth. It was the only way to survive and maybe get something better for Kay and me.”
Marla reached out, her hand covering mine, squeezing gently. Her touch was a balm to the raw edges of my guilty conscience. Kay leaned in closer to me, our shoulders touching.
“The Porters kidnapped me, thinking I was Elizabeth, and when they found out the truth, they released me.” I sighed. “When I went to Shoemaker for my payment, he refused. Instead, he had his henchmen beat me up. I thought I was going to die,” I admitted, a tremor running through me at the memory. “But the Porters nursed me back to health.”
Marla’s grip tightened. “I’m so sorry you went through that, Brynn.”
I nodded, swallowing past the lump in my throat and appreciating her empathy. “To get revenge on Shoemaker for betraying me and the Porters, we planned a heist. We broke into Shoemaker’s mansion to steal the Nant-bots. It was going well until I got caught. I narrowly escaped, but I had to leave the Porters behind. And now I…I feel so guilty for leaving them without saying goodbye.”
Marla’s expression softened. “That must have been frightening, but it sounds as if you did what you had to do.”
Kay, small and fragile, wrapped her arms around me, her embrace fierce despite her slight frame. “I’m just glad you’re safe now.”
The warmth of her body seeped into mine, and I hugged her back “Thanks, Kay. I’ve missed you so much.”
Marla stood up, giving my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “I’ll be downstairs if you need anything. Take your time, and remember, you’re not alone.”
She left, and Kay and I stayed on the couch, holding each other tightly.
Kay sat back and looked into my eyes. “Brynn? You okay? You look like you just ate a bug or something. Did that jerk Shoemaker mess you up that bad?”
I sighed, tracing the line of a scar that ran along my forearm—a permanent token from Shoemaker’s goons. “It’s like every blow they landed wasn’t just to hurt me physically. They took their time, as if each hit was payment for the trust I dared to give Shoemaker.”
Kay shifted closer, her eyes wide and earnest. “You’re the toughest person ever, Brynn. Don’t let those scars freak you out. They’re just...like ugly doodles on a pretty painting.”
I smiled a little at her words. If only she knew how deep they were etched into my soul. It wasn’t just the throbbing pain or the beating that haunted me—it was the look in my attackers’ eyes. The cold detachment. It was the same look that my uncle had given us when he turned us away after our parents died. How easily people could discard what didn’t serve them.
As I sat there, the plush cushions of Marla’s couch beneath me, an echo of the Porters’ opulent world washed over me. The scent of rare wood and imported flowers, the whisper of silk curtains against marble floors—I’d walked among them, a wolf in sheep’s clothing. And for a moment, a fleeting, foolish moment, I had allowed myself to desire it—the safety, the comfort. Desire was dangerous.
I closed my eyes, letting out a shaky breath. The memories of opulence and betrayal swirled in my thoughts..
Kay’s small hand found mine, her touch grounding me in the present. “Hey, you’ve got that far-away look again. What’re you thinking about?”
I squeezed her hand. “Just...processing everything. The Porters, Shoemaker, all of it.”
“You miss them, don’t you? The Porters, I mean.” Kay’s voice was soft.
I nodded, surprised by the lump forming in my throat. “Yeah, I do. It’s...complicated.”
Kay shifted on the sofa beside me. “Complicated how? They seemed pretty cool to me. They saved your life and everything. Well, except for that whole kidnapping thing at first.”
A wry chuckle escaped me. “That’s just it, Kay. They’re not like us. They live in a different world, one we’ve only glimpsed.”
I’d tasted their opulence, felt the allure of their lifestyle, but deep down, I knew it wasn’t mine. The gleaming skyscrapers and high-tech gadgets were a far cry from the gritty streets I’d grown up on. How could I ever truly belong there? Why had I ever thought I could join the Elites?
“But they cared about you, right? I mean, they took care of you when you were hurt.”
“They did,” I admitted. “But what if it’s all just to get back at Shoemaker? What if they decide we’re not worth the trouble?”
Memories of my aunt and uncle’s cold rejection flooded back, a painful reminder of why I’d built these walls around my heart. Trust was a luxury I couldn’t afford, not when Kay’s wellbeing hung in the balance. Yet, the Porters had shown me kindness when I needed it most. Could I really dismiss that so easily?
Kay’s brow furrowed, her expression a mix of confusion and determination. “That’s dumb, Brynn. You’re totally worth it. And if they can’t see that, then they’re the ones missing out.”
I faintly smile at her fierce loyalty. “When did you get so wise, huh?”
She grinned. “I learned from the best. Now, are we gonna sit here moping all day, or are you gonna go get your boys back?”
Her words caught me off guard. “My...boys?”
The thought of Sebastian, Joel, and Braxton sent a warm sensation through me. Each one had wormed their way into my heart, breaking down my defenses bit by bit. But loving one man was risky enough; three seemed like a recipe for disaster. And yet, the memory of their touch, their laughter, their protectiveness made my chest ache with longing.
Kay rolled her eyes dramatically. “Duh. Sebastian, Joel, and Braxton. You like them, right? And they obviously like you. So what’s the prob?”
I felt heat rising to my cheeks. “It’s not that simple, Kay. There’s a lot at stake here.”
I fidgeted with the hem of my t-shirt, my mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. The silence stretched between us, broken only by the distant hum of hover-traffic outside. A pang of guilt hit me when I recalled my hasty exit during the heist. I couldn’t stop thinking about it, worrying on it.
I’d left without a word, driven by the need to protect them from Shoemaker’s wrath. But what if they saw it as another betrayal? The thought of losing them, of adding their names to the list of people I’d pushed away, made my throat feel tight.
“What if...” I said, then faltered. “What if I’m not actually cut out for their world, Kay? What if I’m just fooling myself?”
My sister’s exasperated sigh filled the room. “Brynn, you’re being ridiculous. You survived on these streets for years. You outsmarted Shoemaker. If anyone can handle the Elite world, it’s you.”
A sardonic laugh escaped me. “Yeah, because street smarts are so valuable at fancy galas and board meetings.”
Kay’s small hand found mine, her grip surprisingly strong. “Stop it. You’re smart, you’re tough, and you’re adaptable. Plus, you’ve got something those Elites don’t—real world experience.”
I squeezed her hand, grateful for her presence. I had missed her more than I realized. “When did my little sister get so wise, huh?”
We lapsed into silence again. My thoughts wandered to Sebastian’s gentle understanding, Joel’s fierce protectiveness, and Braxton’s infectious laughter. The memory of their touch and kisses sent a warm flush through me.
“I left them, Kay,” I said. “During the heist. I just...ran. Didn’t say goodbye. It was to protect them, but still…what if they hate me now?”
Kay shook her head. “No way. If they’re half as smart as you say they are, they’ll understand why you did it.”
Maybe, but the cynic in me, hardened by years of betrayal and disappointment, wasn’t so easily convinced.
I wanted to believe her, but doubt still lingered within me. “And if they don’t?”
“Then they don’t deserve you. But, Brynn, you won’t know unless you talk to them.”
How could I explain my actions? Would they even give me a chance? The thought of their rejection made my chest constrict.
“Yeah, but it’s not that simple.” I sighed. “You’re too young to understand adult complexities.”
Kay huffed, crossing her arms. “I’m not a baby, Brynn. I get it more than you think.”
Her indignant response almost made me snort. I studied her face, noticing the subtle changes that had occurred during our time apart. The roundness of her cheeks had started to give way to more defined features, and there was a tinge of maturity in her expression that hadn’t been there before.
When did my little sister grow up so much? Had I been so caught up in my own drama that I’d missed these changes?
“You’re right. I’m sorry, Kay. I shouldn’t misjudge you.”
She nodded, seemingly satisfied with my apology. “So, what are you gonna do about the Porters?”
I flopped back against the sofa cushions, staring at the cracked ceiling of Marla’s apartment. The faint smell of tonight’s dinner—some kind of hearty stew—wafted up from the community center below.
The Porters, their handsome faces etched in my memory like a bittersweet tattoo. The promise of a better life dangled before me, tempting as a shiny lure to a starving fish. But could Kay and I really swim in their world without drowning?
And did I even belong in their world to begin with? More importantly, did I want to? The life I’d always dreamed of for Kay and me seemed within reach with the Porters. And yet, If I never returned to then, the thought of walking away forever from Sebastian, Joel, and Braxton made my chest ache in a way I hadn’t felt since losing my parents.
“I don’t know…I sorta want to go back, to explain everything. But...”
“But what?” Kay poked my side.
I swatted her hand away, a ghost of a smile on my lips. “What if they’ve already moved on? What if I go back and they’ve decided they’re better off without me?”
The thought of Sebastian, Joel, and Braxton moving on without me sent a spasm of pain through my entire body. How could I possibly balance a relationship with all three of them? It seemed impossible, yet the idea of choosing between them was equally unbearable.
Love and logic were playing tug-of-war with my heart, and I was the fraying rope in the middle. The idea of juggling three relationships felt almost impossible.
Kay snorted. “Now who’s being the kid? You’re not gonna know unless you try.”
Her words echoed in my head, mingling with memories of tender moments and all that hot, passionate sex. The thought of losing them, of never experiencing those moments again, made my chest tighten. And the guilt was bearing down on me like a lead weight. I’d left them during a crucial moment, without even a goodbye. How could they ever forgive that?
“Maybe you’re right. But how do I even start that conversation? ‘Hey guys, sorry I bailed on you during a high-stakes heist. Want to grab a coffee?’”
Kay giggled. “Well, maybe not exactly like that. But you could start with the truth. Tell them why you left.”
I sat up, running a hand through my tangled hair. “The truth, huh? That I was trying to protect them from Shoemaker’s wrath? That I couldn’t bear the thought of them getting hurt because of me?”
It had seemed so noble at the time, sacrificing my happiness for their safety. Now, I wasn’t so sure. Had I made the right choice, or had I just been running away, like always?
Doubt gnawed at me like a persistent rodent, chewing holes in my conviction. Had my grand gesture of self-sacrifice been nothing more than an elaborate escape act? The line between bravery and cowardice suddenly seemed blurrier than ever.
“Yeah.” Kay nodded. “And if they care about you as much as I think they do, they’ll understand.”
As I mulled over Kay’s words, a sense of boldness began to build within me. I needed to face the consequences of my actions, confront the Porters, and lay bare my true intentions. With a deep breath, I turned to Kay, gratitude shining in my eyes.
“Thank you, sis. I’ll go back. I owe it to them, to us, to at least try.”
Kay bounced up and down in her seat. “And hey, if things don’t work out with the Porters...you’ve always got me and our maintenance closet to call home.”
The thought of returning to the Porters, of facing my fears and the consequences of my actions, was both scary and exhilarating. My heart fluttered. The maintenance closet might have been our home, but it wasn’t where I truly belonged. I knew now that my place was with Sebastian, Joel, and Braxton—if they’d have me. And I was finally ready to give love a chance, and to fight for the future I wanted. It was time to stop running and start living.