I shake my head. “Benjamin, I didn’t… You can’t tell anyone about this. It would cause huge problems for both of us.”
“King Hertzof, motherfucker.” Benjamin grins, nodding, and his eyes are bright as he turns back to me. “Don’t worry, sis, I ain’t telling nobody that doesn’t need to know.” He drops his voice as he steps back looking like he just won the lottery. “Thank you, I owe you,” he whispers.
I shake my head.
“You guys are busy! I’ll see you some other time,” he says on a wink and a salute, spinning and bolting down the hall, fist pumping the air.
I stick my head out the door, calling behind him, “No, Benjamin, I didn’t—”
But, it’s too late.
Maybe I didn’t do it for him, but maybe, just maybe, it will still get him out of trouble.
Love always wins, right?
But, that means, someone else has to lose…is winning the cup more important than saving my brother’s life?
I don’t have the answer. It’s out of my control and for the first time, I’m okay with that.
Chapter 16
Emee
“And… you can open your eyes.” King takes his hands away, but for a second I don’t look.
I love surprises. I always have. I love savoring the moment and wondering what it could be, and right now I’m nearly hopping with excitement.
A cool breeze whips up my hair, carrying with it the scent of the outdoors: fresh grass, old stone, recent rain. We’ve been driving for an hour, but King made me promise to keep my eyes shut once we got on the freeway.
“Emee, you can open your eyes now,” he says again and my belly does a little flip.
“I know. I’m just… Give me a clue. What is it?”
He laughs. “Why don’t you look and find out?”
“Are we at a fairground?”
“No.”
I snicker a little at the frustration in his voice.
“An art gallery?” I suggest, thinking through the things I told him I loved.
“Baby, open your eyes.”
“Is it an ice cream factory?” I say, knowing it’s not, but letting the little girl inside me scamper around as someone makes her feel safe and loved.
“Now I’m worried you’re going to be disappointed when you see it,” he grumbles. “Please, baby, open your eyes.”
“Ugh. Fine.”
I open my eyes, blinking against the bright sun, and then trail my eyes back and forth over the landscape in front of me.
There’s a field where the grass looks like waves, blowing in the breeze. Rough stones laid out in a little path meandering between patches of unkempt lawn. A large stone building, desolate but beautiful. A farmhouse with faded yellow paint and a signpost by the walkway.
“River Valley Farm. What is this place?”
“It’s yours, baby. Ours. If you want it.”
