“But you’re my ride,” she said with a pout.
“I don’t remember offering you one,” I got behind the wheel and locked the doors, knowing she would try to take the passenger seat or even get in the back if I didn’t.Starting the car, I revved to get her to back the fuck up.Her pissed-off, still-pouting face barely registered when I glanced in my rearview mirror as I drove away.
Before I got to Ali’s house, I stopped to get her a fountain Sprite.The fizzy lemon-lime always helped with her upset stomachs, and she crunched on the ice to stay hydrated.Remembering that Abi was home and not feeling the greatest either, I got her and Hayat drinks as well.Whatever sickness Ali had, she might have caught from her sister’s surprise homecoming.
Drink carrier in hand, I walked up to the front door.As expected, it was unlocked, and I let myself in.
“Hey, bud,” Kin called, sticking her head out of her office.“She’s upstairs resting.”
Her gaze landed on my full hands, her eyes softening.“Go on up.”
Upstairs, I knocked on Abi’s door.It opened moments later, and I shoved the two extra drinks at Hayat.
“Uh, thanks?”she grumbled, her wild hair tangled.She was almost as tall as me.Loud.Spirited.Beautiful in a way that made most guys stupid when they saw her.She and Abi were the sisters I’d never wanted but I couldn’t get rid of because they were a huge part of Ali’s life.As much as she annoyed me, I couldn’t imagine my life without Hayat.
Although I would definitely be happy in a world that didn’t include her brother.
“What freaking time is it?Shit, I slept way too late.Gotta find my phone.”
“Thanks, Sixx,” Abi called out from the darkened room, her voice small, almost brittle.
Grunting a response, I moved to Ali’s door and walked in.She was curled up in the middle of the bed, already asleep, a pillow clutched to her chest.Recognizing one of my hoodies covering it, I set her drink on the nightstand and climbed in behind her.
She moaned and turned over, burrowing against me in search of warmth and comfort, without waking up.I kissed her brow, brushing my hands along her body to reassure myself she wasn’t injured.It was day four of her period and likely not the cause of her feeling ill.With only the light coming through the window to see, I could tell her skin was that gray color it sometimes got when her stomach was bothering her.
For the next hour, she slept peacefully snuggled against me, and I lay there keeping watch in case she needed to make a fast dash to the bathroom.Mom texted me not long after I arrived.
Mom: We discussed you leaving school in the middle of the day.
Mom: I’m not mad, just give me a heads-up so I don’t have to make shit up when your school calls to inform me that you skipped.
I didn’t reply.She didn’t ask a question, so I didn’t see a reason.
Mom has added Aubree, Gen, and London to the conversation.
Biting back a groan, I readjusted so that I didn’t risk dropping the phone on Ali as I prepared for whatever craziness those four were about to dump into my text feed.I loved my mom more than any other adult on the planet, with Dad being a close second.My aunts had always been in my life, surrogate maternal figures that would rideanddie for me.
We all lived in the same apartment complex, which London’s husband had gifted her.While some families lived in the same neighborhood or even built homes to accommodate their large numbers, mine lived in this gigantic building that was originally crafted with fifty luxury units.Derrick had made his money dabbling in real estate, and London was his reason for breathing.Handing over the title to an entire complex and then paying to have it remodeled to her specifications was like pocket change to him.
London divided it up between herself, Gen, Aubree, and Mom.Then she got to work installing the biggest personal gym in history.Later on, she’d turned one floor into a practice studio for the Blonde Bombshells and then built me a dojo when I was eight.
Mom: Kin said you’re at her house.
Aubree: Is it because of Abi?
Gen: What about Abi???
London: Of course you don’t know.
London: Abi is having a mental health crisis and came home early.
London: Tell Abi we love her and can bury a body if she needs us.
Since London had answered Genesis’s question, I didn’t bother replying.
Mom: Is Ali feeling okay?Kin said most likely it’s a stomach flu.
Gen: I love you, little man, but do NOT bring that shit home.
