“That Logan isn’t her father?”
I turned my head to look at him. “Yeah.”
“So, she still thinks she’s your real sister?” He rubbed his jaw before his green eyes danced with mirth. “I wondered why you decked me that time I almost blurted it out.”
A year ago, we brought home two girls after a party. As usual, Skye barged into my room just as Griffin was about to get laid. Annoyed, he’d tried to get her to leave. She mouthed off that as my only sister, she had more right to my room than those ugly girls, pissing them off too. He’d retaliated and I cut him off with a quick gut punch that had him cursing and trying to figure me out. It took a bit of bribery to get her to leave.
“And I aim to keep it that way,” I warned. Griffin’s brain to mouth filter was non-existent and I found his contemplative expression curious. “Spit it out.”
He shrugged, then leaned back on his palms. “Do you think it’s wise? I mean some kids can handle that truth, and some can’t. What if someone slips up, she finds out and isn’t happy about it?”
Lacing my fingers behind my head, I studied the wooden beams crisscrossing below the roof. “It’s a risk I’m willing to take. Skye will never find out.”
“Unless something changes,” he hedged.
I glanced at him, my brow creasing. “Like what?”
Instead of answer, he got up and moved toward the door. “Life is full mystery, Shay. One day you know the path you’re travelling and the next, you’re fucking it up.” He was gone before I could ask what he meant.
Staring after him, I rubbed a hand along my jaw wondering what possible change could affect my relationship with Skye.
6. One Sweet Day – Mariah Carey, Boyz II Men
Shay – 20 years; Skye8 years
We were in the middle of another grueling field workout and the Staff Sergeant had just briefed us on a planned IED, improvised explosive devices, situational awareness exercise coming up when one of the drill instructors appeared behind him.
They chatted quietly for a couple of seconds before they both looked my way. A creepy sensation, I couldn’t describe, raced down my spine. I had the sudden urge to seek out Griffin. We both possessed this uncanny ability to calm the other when a situation necessitated. He stood two rows behind me and not allowed to break formation, I maintained my rigid stance like the others.
“Hawk!” the surly DI called my name. “Front and center, soldier!” he barked. In that instant, my heart stopped beating. I zipped to the front, saluting him as I came to a standstill. With a nod to the Staff Sergeant, he gestured for me to follow him before walking off. Shoving aside the impending doom I felt in the air around me, I hurried after him.
When we reached the administrative building, he directed me to the Sergeant Major’s office. Now, I could feel sweat drip from every orifice possible as dread settled in the pit of my stomach. Inside, I saluted the Sergeant Major and two other drill sergeants.
“At ease, soldier,” the Sergeant Major ordered then gestured to the phone on his desk. “You have a call.” Surprised, my brow creased and when I made no moved to pick up the instrument, he added, “it’s important.”
“Hello,” I greeted a second later.
