“Small,” I tell her, sitting on a stool next to her. “It’s strange being back here. And, sorry. I should have called.”
Her expression softens. “Yeah, and working four nights in your first week might not have been the best decision you’ve ever made.”
I lean back against the counter. “I need to work, settle in, learn the ropes.”
“I get all that.” The sound of the scanner has her glancing over my shoulder. “I hate that thing.”
“Me too.” I smirk.
She stands and wraps me in a hug I didn’t know I needed. “It’s good to see you, Em.” Her voice is just above a whisper.
I squeeze her tighter. “Same here.”
She pulls away. “You really do need a shower, scoot. Let’s go for a walk after.”
I drain the contents of my coffee. “I’ll be down in a bit. My wallet and phone are off-limits.”
She frowns. “Trust me. That stopped the day I found condoms and a screensaver I have never managed to erase from my memory. We were eighteen.”
“Yeah, sure, snoop,” I retort, making my way down the hallway to my bedroom.
* * *
It sure is pretty here,a whole lot prettier than the city. In a word,breathe. I can breathe. There isn’t the heavy carbon monoxide, the constant honks, and the hustle and bustle.
“Are you coming over for lunch tomorrow, maybe see your nephew?” Marcy asks.
“Of course, I will. I should have come sooner. Being back here kinda threw me off.”
She smiles up at me, stopping at a water fountain. “I know. I just want us to spend more time together. That’s why you moved back, right?” She clicks a shot of me, and I frown. “To get away from the loneliness and spend time with us.”
“Really? You’re gonna take pictures right now,” I groan.
She shrugs. “Nowis always the right time.”
I have never seen Marcy without that camera of hers. This one is far more expensive than the pink device she used to carry around when we were kids. I’m proud of my sister, of all she’s achieved. She’s a successful photographer here in Sunnyville, yes, but some of her pieces are on display in New York galleries.
She sets her camera down and sits on a bench. I join her. “Are you okay, brother?Reallyokay?”
“No,” I respond honestly. “A few days before I left, a friend of mine had to say goodbye to his baby.” She reaches for my hand, lacing her fingers through mine. It’s comforting, and I give her fingers a squeeze.
“That sucks.” She breathes out with emotion, looking out at the water. “Sorry, you had to go through that.”
“That’s the thing. I’m not, sorry. It felt like I needed to experience that. The pain, the distress. It’s like I thrive on every single bit of it.”
She takes a picture of a bird that settles on the concrete surrounding the fountain. It’s yellow and black feathers flutter every time the water splashes on it.
“Now this little fella reminds me of you, he knows the water can drown him, but he stays close, lets it splash all over him. He has the wings, Em; he just won’t let them fly him to safety.”
She meets my gaze, smiles sadly, then stands, tugging me up and forward—the way Marcy always has.
Chapter 4
Shelby
“So, I saw the way you were looking at Ember the other day.” Dylan winks. “He is pretty good looking, isn’t he?” We’re having lunch at a cafe in town. She’s positively glowing. Pregnancy looks good on her.
“Oh, no way. If anything, he irritated the hell out of me.” I take a sip of my lemonade. “Arrogance is about the least attractive thing in a man.”
