Page 65 of The Silent Princess

“Well, if she needs a place, she can come here.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. If she really means that much to you, yeah. I think…I think Maddie would love having someone like her around.” I frown, considering the idea. Of course Maddie would be thrilled to meet Ella, who wouldn’t?

“Thanks. I…I think I have everything sorted, but I appreciate it.”

“It wouldn’t be so bad, you know, for you to have someone.” He winces. “Mads! Turn it down; I can hear it from here!” he shouts as she gestures back, waving at him like she cannot hear what he is saying, a large smile on her face. Oh, she will drive him crazy when the teenage years hit.

“Giving love advice now?”

“Coming from someone who had it and lost it, trust me, life is better when you’ve got your person.”

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to say that.”

“That’s alright. Look.” He motions his chin at Maddie, who is clapping in unison with the characters on the screen, too many colors glowing from it. “She’s happy, even without her mom. If she is, then I am too. But yeah, still, you being with a girl who can’t speak, well, that could help her a lot, you know, seeing she’s not alone.”

“I’ll bring Ella when it’s… I’ll bring her,” I tell him despite the veil of threats above our heads and the fact that we still have not discussed what we truly are, as if any label could cover the depth of what is happening between us.

“Do you worry?”

“Worry?” I shake my head. “I…” Silence stretches as Nate watches me without emotion.

“I can’t remember the last time you were speechless, brother.”

“Tell me something I don’t know,” I taunt, which earns me a tight scoff.

“I’ll help, in any way I can.”

“Thanks, Nate. Thanks.”

“You need to sleep. You look like you’ve been driven over.”

“Thanks.”

“Guest bedroom,” he mutters, standing and gathering our plates, the contrast of his domestic life reminding me how insignificant mine is. Except…perhaps I could have a home I was eager to come back to, using my evenings for something other than work. “Thanks, but I have to go.” Ella will be there after her shift, and I am not missing an opportunity to see her. A knowing gaze settles on his face.

“Cole could be following you. Sure it’s smart?” I don’t know where north is from south anymore, but if I do not see her, if I do not see her, I might never breathe again. She’s following her routine, sticking to her plan; it’s the safest option. Me being there is simply…a coincidence. I finish the food and circle the counter. Noticing dishes in the sink, I tackle them, which is not something I do at home since I am never there to eat, but giving my brother a bit of help cannot hurt. All done. I make my way to Maddie, who is hypnotized by the giant screen.

“I’m off, Mad.”

“Bye, Uncle Tristan,” she signs, waving with her little hand covered in multicolored pencil traces. “Next time, bouncy castle?” she signs quickly, referring to a place I brought her last month. Parents were watching me while I supervised Maddie, arms crossed in my black suit. Maddie did not seem to care, so hell, why not? And it gave my brother a few hours to himself, which he desperately needed.

“Sure. We’ll bring your friends if you want.”

“Yay!” She claps her hands, then turns to her dad, who is cleaning the counter. “Dad, Uncle Tristan is driving me to the bouncy castle!” she signs.

“Alright, alright, but only if you go to sleep with no argument tonight. I said only one episode.”

“Yes, yes, I’ll be really good.” She nods exaggeratedly, managing to make me smile for the second time today. We high-five, since that is her favorite thing to do. I round the couch and grab my jacket as Nate follows me out of his house.

“Keep me updated?” he asks, hand on the handle.

“You’ll be the first to know if he gets out of his hiding place,” I mutter. I press my eyelids with my thumbs.

“You’re sure about driving?”

I smirk. “Yeah.” The caring side of him has been showing ever since he got Maddie. He is still my little brother, even though I am years older. Exiting his house, gravel under my shoes, with one green slide on the lawn, I settle behind the wheel.