“Oh my god! Just roll the fucking dice already,” I heard as I grabbed the pitcher of soda from the fridge. I was surprised to hear that it was Anastasia yelling and not my brothers. I laughed as I heard her continue to growl at someone.
“Zedd! Shut up. He’s going to hear you.” My head tilted as my curiosity began to grow.
What were they talking about?
Were they talking about me?
“Hey. I’m just trying to save your ass, not mine,” Anastasia sassed back. She must have been responding to my brother, I only wished I knew what he was saying to her.
“Looking a little red there Ana, why are you embarrassed? You know it’s only the truth.”
Argh. “I’m not embarrassed, you moron. I’m angry.” I heard a distinctive‘OW’ and I decided to interrupt their conversation. I rounded the corner and entered the dining room to see that Ana was indeed more flushed than when I left.
I placed our drinks on the table and settled back in my seat to continue the game, but my mind couldn’t stop turning. I peeked at the three of them curiously, wondering what I was missing. Everything continued as normal and I began formulating a plan to corner one of my brothers. I knew that Drex would’ve been more likely to crack first out of the two but my plan was all about opportunity.
The night wasn’t quite the same without Finch’s mood to contend with. I could tell that I wasn’t the only one who’d noticed his missing presence, I think we all had.
As much as I was upset with him, I was worried about him too. As if reading my mind, Drex asked, “Has anybody seen or heard from you know who?”
“Not since the Bellucci estate,” I answered as a resounding hull fell upon us.
After the killing of Cassio Bellucci, Finch disappeared. He hadn’t said a word, just vanished. I didn’t know what was going through his mind but I hoped he sorted his shit out soon.
“I need the bathroom. Any of you steal my money and there’ll be hell to pay. I’m looking at you Zedd,” I chuckled as she got up, all the while pointing at Zedd with narrowed eyes. He gave her a deer caught in headlights look before she left the room. Finally, I saw my perfect opportunity.
“Can you believe her? I would never.”
“Liar,” Drex coughed. I laughed as they fought, they were so childish. But it always made for good entertainment.
“What were you talking about, before… when I was in the kitchen?” I leaned forwards in my chair.
They shared a look before turning back to me with matching grins. “Sorry big bro, it’s top secret.”
I’d seen that silent exchange a million times before. “We both know that you’re going to tell me, so hurry up and make it quick.”
“Nope, that is not a thing that we know.” Zedd shook his head, looking serious.
I narrowed my eyes at them, then said, patiently; “Tell me now, or I’ll make you work the night shift downtown for the next month.”
“It was nothing, just teasing Ana.” Drex hedged to which I quickly replied, “About what?”
“We’ve always wanted a sister.” He shrugged as if that was all. But how would that tease Anastasia?
“And how sister-in-laws were even better because they spout nephews and nieces,” Zedd grinned and rapidly began wiggling his eyebrows suggestively. He really didn’t need to, I got it.
They were pestering her about marriage and starting a family. My stomach clenched with sudden nerves.
If only they’d known how close I was to proposing. I’d wanted to months ago, but she wasn’t ready then. I’d bought a ring when I’d taken her shopping for the first time. Before she ran away before she even found out about her biological family. I’d seen the perfect ring in a storefront window.
I’d been too excited to resist. It was Anastasia in every way, elegant but understated. I knew her affliction to fashion and jewellery, hell I’d only seen her wear makeup a handful of times. She’d not been what I’d expected when I first picked her up from the cemetery.
She was so much more, more perfect than anything I could’ve ever envisioned.
With all this happening, it hadn’t been the right time. But soon...
