‘You’re right. She does need us. But I won’t need her ever again. I learned my lesson the hard way.’ His mouth is tense. ‘I don’t want to talk or think about this anymore.’
Zayden pushes to his feet, and exchanges a knowing look with Mason, which makes me sit bolt upright, scrambling to get away from them as they both bomb-jump into the pool, sending a giant wave crashing over my legs. I manage to protect my face, but my hair seems to cop the brunt of it.
‘Aw, man!’ I grumble, looking at my soaked towel. ‘You guys are so annoying.’
‘You love us anyway.’ Mason grins.
My brother and my boyfriend – it still feels so weird to say and think, after all this time – begin play-fighting, as they always do when they’re in the water. Settling back on my elbow, I smile as I watch them. They laugh and wrestle with each other, and I tilt my head back, bathing in the warm sunshine.
Everything is going to be okay. Eventually.
When I wake, the sunlight filters through my room, and the anxiety that has been weighing on me so heavily feels like it’s lifted. Maybe it isn’t completely non-existent, but I certainly feel better.
I spend an hour or so painting by the window in my room, and it makes my heart feel light in my chest. It’s so nice to be inspired again. I truly do love it.
Mason’s door is open, and when I poke my head inside, his bed is made, the room is freakishly clean as usual, and there’s no sign of him. Glancing at the time, I realise he’s probably out for his morning run. That man and his routine. The one commitment he never lets falter.
By the time I get downstairs, my brother is there, yawning and rubbing his eyes.
‘Good morning,’ I say chirpily.
He side-eyes me. He raises his hand, hovering his thumb and pointer finger together, making the movement of turning a dial down. ‘Too early,’ he grumbles.
I grin. My brother and I are polar opposites. I like to go to bed early, and when I wake up, I’m ready to start the day. My brother likes to stay up all night and sleep until lunchtime. It’s like his body doesn’t start functioning until after 1 p.m.
‘It’s not even early,’ I say, glancing out the window. Clear blue skies and minimal wind. It looks like it’s going to be a gorgeous day. ‘Well, early for you, I suppose.’
‘Mm.’
‘What are you up to for the day?’
‘I’m going to go for a swim. Have classes all afternoon,’ he says. He eyes my hands. ‘Have you been painting?’
‘Yeah,’ I reply.
‘I thought for a while that you’d given up,’ he murmurs.
‘Me too.’
‘You quit when he left. Right?’
Slowly, I nod.
‘Hm,’ Zayden murmurs, eyeing me for a second. ‘Interesting.’
Shaking my head, I lean against the counter. ‘I might go grab us takeaway breakfast and coffee,’ I suggest. ‘I feel like a walk.’
Zayden points at me. ‘This is why you’re my favourite sister.’
‘I’m your only sister.’
‘Favourite, nonetheless.’ He grins. ‘Can you carry everything on your own?’
‘I’ll be fine.’
‘I can drive you.’
‘Good point. I’ll take the car.’
