“Not this week.”
I huffed and eased into the bar stool. “Pasta does sound good, I guess.”
“Speaking of plans, whatcha got? Staying away from the dangerous stuff I hope?”
“So far I only have AA meetings on Wednesdays.” I fiddled with the plastic bag Jack left on the counter, twirling it around my finger. I wasn’t staying away from the dangerous stuff, but I didn’t plan on telling him. “I’ve got a Star Wars marathon planned. Maybe get a house by the lake to relax or something.”
“I didn’t think you knew how to relax.”
“Well, I’m supposed to be learning. Any tips?”
He stopped chopping and looked at me, his bright blue eyes shimmering with humor. “You could start jogging?” He was strong as an ox, chiseled by angles. Of course he would tell me to work out.
“I can’t even—do you even know me?”
“That’s what helps me relax!”
Jack placed a pot on the stove and turned up the heat. He handed me the pre-sliced French bread and butter to ready for the oven. I knifed a pat of cold butter onto a slice and wrestled it flat, tearing the bread in the process. I only half listened as he continued talking about relaxation techniques. Something about baths, yoga, whatever. I didn’t want to do that stuff.
When silence settled, Jack cleared his throat and asked without looking up. “You going to go visit him, Jules?”
I plopped the knife down on the granite counter. It plinked with surprising volume—a perfect crescendo to my rising frustration. “Good grief! You and Kenzie need to get off my back! Like, for real, let me do my own thing.”
“Okay, okay!” Jack put his hands up in surrender. “Was just wondering!”
My jaw clenched hard, biting down the emotion. Despite my effort, tears clouded my vision. I wanted everyone to leave me alone. I didn’t want the company, the pasta, or constant check-ins. I swiped my cheek with lightning speed but a twin doesn’t miss things like tears easily. I dipped my head toward the bread, hiding my face, but more tears were already on the way.
Jack sighed. He hated tears as much as I did.
But like a good big brother, he moved to my side of the counter and wrapped his strong arms around my shoulders. I struggled against the hug for a moment until he whispered, “You’re going to be okay, sis.” I was thankful for him, I really was. But people poking around in my personal matters was going to be my undoing! And I wanted work.Neededwork.
“I can’t do this, Jack!”
“I know.” He rested his scruffy cheek on my head and I leaned into his frame for strength. “Everything feels bad right now, but your boss is right. You need this. You’ll be better for it. You’ll see.”
I sniffed and swallowed down an additional wave of threatening tears. I clenched my teeth again, willing the pain away.
“Do you want to move in with me for the next few weeks?” Jack explained he could get the spare room at his house cleared out in a matter of minutes. “Maybe it would help to have someone else around for a while.”
I loved Jack, but not enough to relive high school or anything. And we’d been fighting like a cat and dog the past few years. Being under the same roof wouldn’t help. Plus the whole point was I needed a new normal, right? I squirmed in his arms, and he let go. “No, I’ll be fine.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m worried about you being alone. You—you haven’t made the best decisions.”
“I won’t drink or sleep around, Dad.”
He bristled, and the tenderness melted out of his voice. “Jules—“
I probably shouldn’t have made a joke. “Seriously, I’ll be fine.”
His brow furrowed, and he poured the noodles into the boiling water. His chest expanded with a deep sigh. “If you say so.”
FIVE
Patrick
