Just as I’m pretty sure he’s going to kill me, I suddenly feel his weight lift from my body, letting me breathe again. Ian is holding Ryan’s arms back, trying to keep him still and save my life. Trying to save the remains of this family. But Ryan is strong, furious and distraught, and not even Ian’s muscles can hold him back.
He wriggles out of Ian’s grip and launches himself at me again, trying to throw his fist into my face, but Ian’s not giving in. He punches him right in the face, making him fall sideways, before sitting on him, pinning his arms down and squeezing his thighs against his waist.
All around there’s yelling: my brothers, Lauren, the neighbours who are all rushing to help, and my heart, which screams without pausing for breath. Just like my brother.
The brother I betrayed.
I close my eyes and let myself go, hoping that I’ll wake up somewhere else, and never come back.
1
Nick
Present Day
Ipark the car and swing the driver’s door open, throwing myself out into the car park. I slam it shut behind me and sprint towards the entrance, anxiety choking me and excitement exploding through my veins. I stop for a second in front of the automatic doors and take a deep breath, trying to calm myself down before I throw up the entire contents of my stomach all over the entrance. I place one foot inside, ready to face this new challenge, when a huge, muscly mass smacks against my left shoulder.
“Don’t even think about it,” he warns, pulling me aside.
“I got here first.”
“It’s not a race.”
“Looks like it is.”
“No, it’s not, because you’ve already lost.”
I turn to face him, so that we’re chest to chest. “Get out my way.”
“I don’t think so.”
“Oh, come on!” An irritated voice floats in between ours. “Why do you two always have to be like this? All these muscles are blocking off your brains.”
Chris wriggles between us and steps inside first, then turns to look at us from the other side of the sliding door with a satisfied grin.
“I’ll be her favourite aunt anyway,” she says, teasing us both, before jogging down the hospital corridor, her flame-red hair falling in waves down her back.
“You’re both losers.” Evan takes another whack at our pride before he strides past us to follow his mother, his hands shoved into the pockets of his jeans and his hood pulled up over his head.
“No way,” Ryan takes advantage of my confusion to step inside the hospital before me. “She can be the favourite aunt, but I’ll be her favourite uncle,” he states triumphantly, before running off behind them. He frustratedly slips in between Chris and Evan, making Chris laugh, as he wraps his enormous arms around their shoulders and protectively pulls them in towards him.
Is his unlikely, messed-up family not enough for him? Does he really have to take the only joy left in my life?
Like fuck he will.
I’llbe her favourite uncle.
* * *
When the fourof us get to the waiting room, we’re met by Ian, so anxious he’s almost ready to pass out.
“So?” Chris goes over to him right away. “How’s it going?”
“Good,” he says, rubbing a hand over his face. “At least, for them. I…I feel…”
“Oh shit!” Ryan catches him before he can hit the floor.
“Come on, what’s the big deal?” I say, stupidly. What a dick.
