Page 87 of Mercy & Malice

I cut her off. “No. It’s fine. I get it. He’ll always be the superior twin.”

“No, you don’t get it,” Brooke screams. “The only one still competing is you. No one else cares who is better, or faster, or stronger. Only you, Micah. Who the hell cares if Luca won a fight, or won Mercy, or got more candy eight years ago on Halloween? I don’t. He doesn’t either. He realized that Ivy is more important than whatever his ego needed to prove. And you’re too worried about proving yourself in some made-up competition in your head that you can’t see what’s right in front of you.”

I take in her words and recognize that she’s right. “That’s all I’ve ever known. Competition and manipulation. How do I disregard what was bred into me?”

“The same way I choose not to bring the abuse I grew up with into my future. I’ll never raise a hand to my child, and I’ll never make them lie to protect me. It’s my decision to stop it. And I don’t care what happens in my life. But I won’t take the toxic example of what was bred into me with me.

“The fact that you and Luca are getting along and working together is a perfect example of what you can put a stop to. You two have already forged a different path. Now you need to get the demon out of your head that tells you to stay miserable.” She takes in a strangled breath before she adds, “Yeah, it’s easier said than done. But if you keep telling yourself you have a choice, you’ll believe it.”

I step in front of her and lower my lips to hers. “You’re the only one who’s ever made me believe in the impossible.”

Her mouth stays near mine as she whispers, “There has to be something good that comes from all of the pain, right?”

Nothing will ever be worth the pain she’s suffered. But I do want to believe some day all of this will be worth it.

48

BROOKE

By the time I arrive in the cafeteria on Friday, lunch is almost over. I drop next to Ivy who’s playing on her phone. Cain and Luca are chatting while Micah sits silent and brooding. I finally convinced him to not come with me to Mr. LeBlanc’s classroom when I made up the quiz. The only reason I retook it was because Mr. LeBlanc kept insisting that I should instead of just letting my failing grade stand. He was right. It was better to retake it. My GPA is suffering enough, but I still can’t bring myself to truly care.

“So, who’s coming tonight?” Cain asks as we all stare at him. “Teeter’s house. He throws the best parties, and I really need to blow off some steam.”

Ivy glances to me. “Are you working tonight?”

“No, Edmund said he didn’t need me this weekend, unfortunately.” I was disappointed when he said his son would cover. I know Holden needs the money, but I could use it too.

“Why unfortunately?” Micah asks.

“No work, no money,” I retort.

“Totally get it,” Cain adds.

Micah ignores Cain and tells me, “I told you that I’d cover anything you need.”

“And I told you I’m not taking your money.”

Cain blurts out, “Hard work pays off.”

Micah turns to him with a scowl but doesn’t tell him anything before he faces me. “Everything I have is already yours. So, get used to it.”

I don’t even know what to say to that, but I’m glad when Cain says, “Anyhow, that means y’all will be at the party tonight?”

Ivy gives me a questioning expression. “Are you up for it?”

“Yes.” Not really. Well, maybe. “Dancing and drinking sounds appealing right now.”

“Agreed,” Cain chimes in.

Micah keeps his attention on his phone as I converse with Ivy until Mom appears at the cafeteria’s entrance. Nothing odd about it until I spot two people in suits behind her. When I notice the badge on the guy’s belt, I grasp they’re both detectives. But it’s the moment that Mom heads my way that my dread sets in. I don’t want to be interrogated again.

“Brooke, these detectives would like to speak with you. We need you to come to my office.”

I stand, noting her don’t argue with me look. Micah does the same as Mom says, “Just Brooke.”

Micah remains standing but doesn’t follow as I reassure him, “I’ll see you in a little while.”

The walk across campus gets more awkward as we approach the main office. Mom leads us to the conference room, and I sit on the backside of the table as Mom lowers herself into the chair beside me while the two detectives settle across from us.