“If you don’t agree to wait outside, then trust me, you’re about to find out just how difficult I can be.”
I might barely come up to Jace’s chest, but I stare him down the best I can, letting some of that fire show in my eyes.
“Fine.” He follows close behind me as we head inside and take the two flights of stairs up to Lucy’s floor.
I haven’t been here since our last study session together, which also happened to be the day I left my family for good.
It seems fitting that this is the place I chose to meet Oscar.
Lucy opens the door and catches Jace’s towering frame standing behind me. “You brought some eye candy.”
“Still want to come inside?” I say to him over my shoulder.
“I’m good out here.”
Lucy pouts. “Always so serious.”
“Leave the poor man alone.” I turn to him. “We won’t be long.”
We slip inside and quickly shut the door.
“He’s in the living room,” Lucy says quietly.
I nod before following her down the tiny hallway and into the living room where Oscar is pacing back and forth in front of the window.
When he sees me, he stops dead in his tracks and a look of relief washes over his face. “Riley. Thanks for coming.”
The sight of his dark auburn hair, the exact same shade as mine, makes my chest tighten.
He looks older and more worn down since I last saw him. Despite everything that’s happened, he is still my brother. But that doesn’t mean I’m ready to forgive him.
“Don’t thank me yet. Me being here doesn’t mean I forgive you.”
I stay near the door to the living room, my arms folded as I stare at Oscar.
“I know. But I need you to hear me out.”
There’s such desperation in his tone that I’m a little afraid of what he’s about to tell me.
“Then talk.”
He runs a hand through his hair, messing up the strands as he continues to pace back and forth. “I screwed up.”
“No shit.” Lucy drops onto the velvet couch and tucks her feet up beneath her.
“Lucy,” I warn.
“Sorry,” she mutters, though she looks anything but. “Please, continue with the sob story.”
Oscar noticeably bristles, and Lucy flashes him a smile.
She’s never been the biggest fan of my brother, and I have a feeling that’s not going to change anytime soon.
“After Dad died, I didn’t know what the hell I was doing.” Oscar keeps his eyes focused on his feet as he paces, as if he can’t bear to look me in the eye. “Rion came in and tried to act like he was in charge, and I just…lost it. I let myself become consumed by anger and grief, and that led to me pushing you away when you needed me the most. I hurt you, Riles, and I’m sorry.”
The words hang heavy between us, and I know my brother well enough to know that he genuinely means it.
But one apology is not going to make up for the hell he put me through.
