Page 69

“You never told me he took your stuff, Ridley,” Downy growled grumpily.

I shrugged, not bothering to correct him on my name.

“You also never come over for me to tell,” I added. “And you actively ignore my calls.”

“I do not,” he argued.

My brows rose.

“I called you last week to wish you happy birthday, and you chose to ignore the call three times,” I told him.

His mouth opened to deny it.

“I was at SWAT training…” he lied.

My mouth dropped open.

“You’re a lying sack of shit!” I accused him. “Do you not realize that Drew would be attending the same SWAT training that you go to? And he was here. With me.”

Downy’s eye twitched.

I pushed.

Why I thought this was the time, I would never know, but since he wasn’t running away like he usually did, I thought I should press the matter.

“Why do you call me Ridley?” I asked softly.

Downy’s eyes flicked to Drew, then back to me.

I flicked my eyes at Drew, and he took the hint.

“Be right back,” he muttered. “I’m gonna make sure they’re gone.”

He disappeared in the next instant, closing the door quietly behind him as he went.

“Well?” I challenged him, crossing my arms over my chest to stare at my stepbrother… who was actually my real brother, only he didn’t know it yet.

I didn’t expect him to answer.

Not really.

And what he said blew me away.

“Aspen was my father’s name, and it hurts to call you by that. It’s a constant reminder that you’re here and he’s not,” Downy hissed defensively.

My mouth dropped open.

That was the first time he’d ever told me that. Sure, I’d known his father’s name. My father’s name. Stupidly, I’d thought it was an honor to be named after our father, but apparently I was wrong.

“I…” I said. “I don’t know what to say.”

Downy shrugged.

“I can’t help it. I just hear your name, and I’m reminded of how much I miss him. It’s nothing against you…it’s just how it is,” he hedged.

“Okay then,” I said. “Well, that sucks, but at least I know now.”

I started backing away, a strange feeling welling up in the back of my throat.