“I love to learn. It’s always fun to discover new things. I guess that’s the beauty in life. Excitement in the unexpected.”
When she closes her eyes and lets out a yawn, I study her. Those pretty golden curls, secured on top of her head with a white scrunchie. The little gold hoops along the top of her ear and a mini heart stud tucked into the antihelix.
She hums and keeps her eyes closed, while I just continue to watch her.
She’s right. Life is unexpected, but she’s not scared of it. She thinks it’s beautiful. I wonder how much ugliness she’s seen? Because from what I have, I’m terrified.
It was nearly two hours later when I woke up and found that not only had I fallen asleep and once again not woken from a nightmare, but we had shifted in our sleep. I was on my back, Isabelle tucked against my side, her head on my chest, and her hand resting on my stomach. And I didn’t hate it.
For ten years, any company I’ve kept with a woman has never included sleepovers. I haven’t even had a woman in my bed. If I hook up with someone, it’s only ever at Nella Notte. The members-only club I’m a part of that no one knows about. Well, Caleb might have an inkling, but it’s not something he’s asked for confirmation of.
For the second time in twelve hours, I was sneaking away from Isabelle with her scent imprinted on me like a brand, and thoughts of her haunting my mind. She’s stayed there since welanded, even as we made our way straight to Grams and Grandpa’s house for our normal Sunday dinner.
My mother places a glass of fizzing water in front of Caleb, while Beth groans with her head resting against the table we’re all seated around.
“Make it stop, Mummy,” she wails.
“Jesus, how much did you drink?” Mason, my baby brother, asks from where he sits between me and our sister. “You smell like the plague, by the way.”
“I will gut—” Beth starts before burping something that sounds like it’s been conjured from the depths of hell.Wow, I never realised what a catch my sister is.
She covers her mouth and runs down the hall.
“Did you let your sister overindulge?” Dad asks Caleb.
“Let her? There is noletwhen it comes to Beth,” says Caleb. And I definitely have to agree with that.
My sister is a tiny tyrant, but she’s also the best fucking sister you could ask for. She gives as good as she gets, and she loves even harder. If you manage to get past her walls, you’re stuck with her for life, and she’ll always have your back. Cross her, though, and you won’t find yourself with a worse enemy.
“I hope you’re all hungry.” Grams walks into the dining room with a giant platter of roast vegetables, and Grandpa dutifully follows with a tray of carved meat.
The thought of eating anything turns my stomach, but I’d never have the balls to say no to Grams.
Beth gets her unstoppable spirit from our grandmother. They’re both fiercely determined and ambitious. My sister has always looked up to our grandmother, especially the love she shares with Grandpa. The way they’ve always supported each other laid the foundation for why our family is so close. I was never more grateful for that than after the accident. When I lost my best friend.
“Looks and smells delicious. Thank you, Grams.” Mason rubs his stomach as he looks over all the food. Grams drops a kiss to the top of his head as she walks behind us, then runs a hand over my head.
“Dig in, my sweetness. A growing boy needs a good home-cooked meal.”
Mason takes his cue and starts loading up his plate, followed by my parents and Grandpa. Caleb just stares at the dishes with a white face and unfocused eyes.
“Gage, sweetheart.” Grams places her warm hand over mine. Her charm bracelet clatters against the table, and the sound is like an alarm blaring in my head. Fuck, I am never drinking like that again. Stupid High Rollers. “Can I do up your plate?”
“Sure. Thanks, Grams.” I hand her my plate, almost second-guessing the decision, but eventually let her take it from me.
I feel bile rise in my throat as my grandmother continues to pile on more and more food. Any other Sunday, I’d be all for it. I love my grandmother’s cooking, but as she sets the plate in front of me, I think I might need to disappoint her today.
“I think I threw up a kidney,” Beth says, finally rejoining us.
“Elizabeth.” Mum tuts, shaking her head as she cuts into her dinner.
“Karma,” I say through a fake cough, hiding my smile at my mother using Beth’s full name.
“So, Henry.”Brat.“How was your night?”
“The same as yours, I’d imagine.” I pick up my fork and push the food around on my plate. “And stop fucking calling me that.”
“Get much sleep?” There’s a taunt hiding in her tone, and I don’t fucking trust it.
