Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 102929 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 515(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102929 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 515(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
Once we stood, I found my footing, causing my ribs to ache and throb. It was my turn to narrow my eyes at her, feeling like she had something to say but was forever hesitating.
Our eyes connected again, and my patience wore thin when I barely had any to begin with. I wanted to ask her so many questions. Even if I asked, I wouldn’t get an answer, and it would only further piss me off. I had to bite my tongue, and that was the hardest thing for me to do.
It took us two hours to get back to the house, when it was usually a half-hour walk. I had to keep stopping from the crippling pain in my ribs. She was patient as we walked, never once showing any annoyance toward me. I couldn’t decide whether I would have helped her in a similar situation, and I thought about it for most of the walk back to the front door.
It felt good as soon as we walked inside to have finally made it back home with her.
Home.
The four-letter word carried a big punch as I thought it over for a minute, realizing this wasn’t just my home anymore.
It was hers too.
* * *
And that realization hurt far more than any pain in my ribs ever could.
Chapter
Ten
Isla
“In silence, we often find the deepest connection.” -Unknown.
* * *
One month later.
* * *
After rushing down the stairs, I threw a bagel in the toaster, spread some cream cheese on it, and ran out the front door. Grabbing my bag and throwing it over my shoulder, I took the porch steps two at a time and jumped on Julius’s bicycle I’d cleaned up a couple of weeks ago. I left it leaning against the column of the house.
It didn’t take long until I was pedaling up to the river, ditching my bike near an old willow tree, and walking over to them. Julius and Kraven were working the festival and performing on the street that day. I tried to catch any show they put on when they were close enough for me to ride the bike.
Sometimes I rode on the back of Julius’s street bike, but it was hard with his instrument, so it didn’t happen as often as I hoped.
That winter changed it all.
In a short amount of time, I learned a lot about Julius and Kraven in different ways. With Julius, I spent more time with him than I’d ever spent with anyone. If he was at the house, we were together for the most part.
When I was with them, watching them perform, I’d get lost in their music, wondering how they learned to play and who taught them. They were both equally masterful. Their skills and talent were noticed by everyone who walked by them.
I’d even seen a few people cry, getting caught up in the moment. Maybe reliving a past they were trying to forget, like me. There were nights when Julius was working, and Kraven would play in his room. I’d lie on the floor against our connecting wall, wanting to feel the vibration of his piano along my body.
For a few minutes, I’d feel as if he were only playing for me, as if he were doing it on purpose, aware of how much their music meant to me. I knew it was the furthest thing from the truth. He barely looked at me, and when he did, it was an expression of uncertainty. Ever since I helped him, our dynamic had changed. He wasn’t mean to me anymore, but he wasn’t exactly nice.
I guess you could say I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. Sometimes I’d sit on the porch, staring up at the moon and stars. This was my favorite spot in their house. It had the best view of the sky. I spent a lot of time out there, seeking refuge within the chaos of my mind.
Sometimes I’d even find random things on the steps, from rocks to those green military figures you’d see kids play with, to other random toys. They’d be there one evening, and then the next, there would be none. I began to think that maybe a kid was playing back there when we weren’t around. I wanted to ask Julius about it, but they were always gone the next day. I figured the kid came back for them, so no harm, no foul.
I quickly learned Julius didn’t give a damn about what anyone thought or said about him. He would tell it straight to your face, not caring if he hurt your feelings. The brothers had that in common. Neither held back.
Julius never judged me, treating me like an equal. He didn’t ask any questions or demand any answers. He was far more level-headed and smart as all hell, too.