“I’m just glad that it’s all over,'' Eduardo says on an exhale as he kisses the top of Emma’s head, increasing the tightness of his embrace as if he is afraid to let her go.
I smile as I watch them. Emma returns the smile and seems to understand my thoughts as twins sometimes do. She then looks up at her future husband.
“Oh, Eduardo, I have a feeling that this is just the beginning,” she says, echoing similar words spoken to her not long ago.
“Fuck, I was hoping you wouldn’t say that, Emma.”
I wink at her. “That was one sweet chokehold release that you got out of, if I do say so myself, Emma.” Her eyes go wide, and mine mimic my twin’s expression.
“You saw that?” She jumps happily.
I nod and laugh. “Fucking epic, girlie. I guess you took my advice about the self-defense classes?”
Emma tosses her head back, laughing. “You could say that. So what now, Evie?”
I grab the back of my neck, wondering how to approach this topic. As if reading my mind, Mateo emerges from the shadows I stood in what seems like a lifetime ago.
“We have a lot to talk about.” Mateo takes his place beside me as they look between us, and Jameson visibly winces. I’m reluctant to look away. The need to soothe and care for him overwhelms my senses. My hand twitches to reach for him.
Emma snorts, distracting me from the emotions I was almost ready to act on. “That's an understatement. I mean, what happens n-o-w?” She raises her hand above her head in an exaggerated motion that makes my heart weep at the familiarity. I stare at her with a look that promises to wreak havoc—the same look she would give me when we knew we would get into trouble.
I extend one of my black-gloved hands to Emma in an invitation, and she quickly takes it. “Well, Emma, now that you are free, tell me who you wanna be.”
“Let’s finish this, Evie.”
I give her a nod, and that’s all that is needed. I’ve waited for this moment, and the time is finally here. My body almost hums with the excitement of what’s to come.
I grew up in a web of twisted lies, deception, and secrets. From a young age, I knew these truths were buried in our family. The hushed words that stopped altogether when I entered a room. My emotions rage beneath the surface, a swirling rise of battered waves against my black, vengeful beating heart.
My sister remains holding my hand; an unspoken solidarity thrums in our veins. I couldn’t be happier at her newfound strength. She brings a sense of calm to my thunderous emotional turmoil, battling against my unruffled, carefully constructed exterior. These feelings always attempt to overtake me as I fightfor control, which I need in all aspects of my life—what I eat, how I act, and how I fuck. It’s the only way I know how to live now.
I look at Jameson with the need to release this pent-up anger and frustration. Who would have thought this handsome man would be precisely the person who could soothe my aching heart?
I refocus on my sister, nod once, and extend my hand toward Mateo. I don’t look at anyone around us as he looks at Emma and smiles. He then extends his hand toward her. I hear Eduardo rush over to stand behind Emma.
Jameson mimics Eduardo’s movements without realizing it, and I feel his warmth behind me. His body heat calms me, and my body leans closer without my permission. I take a few deep breaths to bring a meditative mind as my feelings attempt to surge out of control. Breathe the air in and blow it out. I can almost hear my therapist’s voice as I count to ten the way she taught me all those years ago. Now, I have Jameson, my anchor in my sea of self-destruction.
Emma’s eyes scan me assessingly, clearly not entirely understanding what is happening. I smile and nod reassuringly, silently conveying that it’s okay—I’m okay with this. She trusts me explicitly and looks at Mateo, staring into his eyes—what some people call the portal into the soul—in an attempt to gain clarity. The moment it clicks, her expression softens and she takes his hand.
My family is now complete.
The short-lived moment of unity ends when I hear Eduardo growl behind Emma, staring at their joined hands. We all burst out laughing, breaking the gravity of the situation, and Mateo can’t help but join in. Eduardo is so ridiculous when it comes to Emma.
“God, can you calm down? We are having a moment here. You know, even when we were younger, you had to help her offthe ATV or out of the truck. No one else could even attempt to help her or you would go off on them. It was always so obvious, Eddie.” I stomp my boot on the cement flooring, hearing the echo sound off.
He breaks his gaze from Emma, sparing me a glance. “You know I hate when you call me that, Evie.” His voice is full of warning, but his face is dueling with putting up a show and embracing the familiarity of our beautiful memories when life was simpler. I’m sure that’s partly why our parents acted the way they did, although their reasons were faulty.
Mateo steps toward Eduardo as he visibly stiffens in a protective stance around Emma. He extends his hand. “It’s good to finally meet you. I’m Mateo, their brother.”
I hear the words leave his mouth, and tears threaten to fall. He’s never been able to say these words aloud or introduce himself as our brother. That was taken from him, this simple act of belonging.
Jameson places a hand on my hip, giving it a slight squeeze. To hear Mateo say this truth out loud… Well, let’s just say that it is everything. One suppressed truth finally coming out. There are so many more left to go. I give a contemplative sigh.
I turn toward the sound of sniffles. Emma is already crying, and Eduardo looks at him in stunned silence. “I didn’t know,” he whispers. He drops his gaze to Mateo’s hand and takes it quickly. “It’s nice to finally meet you too, Mateo.”
Mateo smiles at Emma and looks back at me. I nod, and Mateo releases Eduardo’s hand and quickly pulls Emma into a tight embrace. They hold each other for what seems like minutes but is actually only probably seconds as Emma continues to hold on to him. Finally, she lets go, but not until she rubs her face against his shirt to wipe away her tears.
Mateo raises an eyebrow at her and then looks at his shirt. “Sis, did you just wipe your snot on my shirt?” His lips quirk up in amusement, and Eduardo scoffs.
