“But… our graduation night, you… barged in on us.”
“Yeah.” She leans away from me. “Because Dad and Lelani were searching for you. I knew exactly where you guys were. Imagine if they would’ve walked in.”
I glance at Keo, brows furrowed, arms crossed.
“I walked in backwards because I didn’t want to disrespect you two. Plus, if you were naked, Idid notwant to see that.” She giggles before letting out a heavy sigh. “I didn’t expect Keo to run out like that…”
My memory flashes back to that moment, her face of sorrow. It always struck me as weird, but now it makes sense.
“That’s why you looked so sad…”
She nods. “I love you, Ayden. You’re my twin. Why wouldn’t I want you happy? It’s all we’ve ever wanted for each other.” Her smile forces a few tears to fall. “And… are you happy?”
I look from her back to Keo. “I am…” That brings a grin to his lips. “I’m sorry I pushed you like that.”
“You can make it up to me later with some hot cider.”
“Oh no, wedefinitelyhave to drink! Shots?”
Just as I’m about to reply, Keo cuts in, “We don’t drink in this house. Sorry, Alysa.”
“Damnit. No drunk stories? How depressy.”
I release my sister and stride to him. He grabs the back of my head, pulling me to his chest. Wrapping my arms around him, I hold him like my damn life depends on it.
He kisses my head and murmurs, “I’m happy too, sunshine. So fucking happy.”
I knew it would make her cry, and it breaks my fucking heart to see her like this.
Both her hands are covering her face, the smallest of vibrations coursing through her fingers builds the goosebumps I can see on her arms.
“Alysa…”
The soft tapping of glass on the coffee table draws me to look up at Keo. He wears a frown, eyeing me for a moment until I silently convey I’ve got her.
He nods, leaning in to kiss my temple, before heading back toward our bedroom.
It’s the day after she arrived, and I sat her down to tell her everything. I’d told her when she came for Christmas I would explain the past few years with Michael. She’d pressed about it when I’d told her about the incest allegations.
From the mental to physical abuse, I didn’t leave much out. She deserved to know, especially since Keoni did. Alysa was my other half and I hated keeping it from her.
“I…” Her voice breaks and I scootch closer to her on the couch. “I should’ve known. I should’ve felt it! I knew he was hurting you, I just…”
She pulls her hands away and leans back. Her face, splotchy with red, especially around the eyes, has my own tears building.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” The agony in her voice hurts worse than any punch ever did. “I’d… have told Keoni. Dad. We would’ve… Did you not trust us to save you?”
I shake my head. “I would trust you with my life, lefty. It isn’t that.” Releasing a heavy sigh, I lean into her, bumping our shoulders. “I was drowning, and no matter how hard I swam, the surface kept getting further and further. Michael kept raising the water every time there was a sliver of a free breath I could get. He monitored everything… and the only reason he let me come to the funeral was because Dad wasn’t here to convince me not to go back… and you lived in another country. There was no reason for me towantto stay.”
More tears spill over her cheeks as she swings an arm around my midsection and pulls me into a hug. “He didn’t” —she hiccups — “know about Keoni…”
“No… but to be fair, I didn’t even know he’d show up.”
She buries her face into my neck, and I adjust us so the positioning is more comfortable to hold onto her.
“I wish you would’ve saidanything… I hate him. I hate him so fucking much!”
I hesitate but quickly go on because I know she deserves all the truth from me. “Even if I had a moment to tell you, I probably wouldn’t have.”
