This was my chance to prove that I was strong enough to stop hiding. I knew they were being patient, but would it really hurt to get to know them? We could take it slow. They were more than willing.
“Send me a message when you’re done, and I’ll be here,” I promised before I could second guess it.
Corvin leaned in, brushing a kiss over my temple before rushing to pull on his suit. That was my cue to leave.
I hurried back to the truck where Holt was waiting.
“Saved by the bell, huh?” he teased the moment I was in the car.
“Shut up,” I muttered.
His deep rumble of a chuckle echoed through the car before he put it in gear. Thankfully, his teasing stopped as we drove back to the shop.
I poked my head in long enough to call out to Dani, who was working the front desk for me. “I left my phone at home. I’m going to rush back and get it, then I’ll be here.”
“Sounds good,” she said, giving me a salute before turning back to the customer she was working with.
I couldn’t hide my smile as I headed back. I’d made actual plans and somehow they felt less scary now. I’d survived my first non-heat encounter with them. They were just as sweet and attentive, and the way Corvin made sure I was alright was comforting.
That was something Cameron had never done. It was never about me. Not truly.
I had to stop thinking of him and comparing them to him. They were different men in so many ways, and the idea of being in a pack was oddly comforting. They would keep each other accountable, and they’d keep me safe if I gave them the chance.
My bottom lip caught between my teeth as I thought about them, heading up the stairs to my apartment.
I froze at the top of the stairs, eye landing on two figures standing right outside my door.
One was smaller and hunched in on herself. The other was like looking in a mirror, or rather, a mirror into an alternate reality.
My sister was my opposite in almost every way. She was always a free spirit, her layered skirts and flowy tops giving her a boho vibe. She kept her hair much longer than mine, twisted into long dreadlocks that definitely needed better maintenance.
She looked tired.
“Dee?” I said out loud, more a question than a greeting.
Yes, our parents did name us Bea and Dee. To be fair, that might be why she started going by Divine, which to me sounded more like a stripper name than some divine grace she seemed to think she possessed… but who was I to judge?
Who was I kidding? I was always judging.
It was hard not to when she had been unreliable and expected me to fix her mistakes our entire lives.
Bracing myself for whatever she was here to ask for: money, a place to stay, who knows with her.
Standing right next to her was my niece. She was fourteen now, and just as beautiful as I imagined. My chest ached at the thought of all the years I’d missed out on, but unfortunately, I could never have stayed behind.
My life would’ve been raising this beautiful girl, and perhaps in many ways that would’ve been better for her. But when my parents spent their entire lives making excuses for Dee, what else could I do? She was always the one who needed them, and I was the one expected to stay strong.
“What are you doing here?” I demanded, my expression hard as stone as I stared down my twin.
Dee pouted like a child, her bottom lip jutting out. Her bronze skin was painted with too much heavy makeup for that to make any impact.
God, she lookedrough.
My heart ached for her, too. For the sister I wished she would be. But I knew better than to let my walls fall.
“I tried to call,” she defended, “but I could hear it ringing inside.”
“That’s why I’m home,” I muttered. “I forgot it this morning. But calling while you’re already here is not exactly notice.”
