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)
In one quick swoop, I kicked the figurines off the porch and watched them scatter all over the ground. I searched the street to see if I could see anyone, but there was nothing but dead-silent air all around me.
When no one was there, I spun, making my way back inside, stopping dead in my tracks as soon as I saw Isla standing behind me.
“How long have you been there?” I asked, expecting an actual answer this time.
“Long enough, but that’s not the first time I’ve seen you do that.”
“What else have you seen, Isla? Or better yet, what else have you and Kraven talked about?”
In three strides, she was sitting on the porch step, patting next to her. I drew a steady breath to get my emotions in check, then joined her.
Once I was sitting, she openly shared, “I don’t know how to answer any of your questions without implicating your brother, and I don’t want to come between the two of you more than I already have.”
“How do you expect me to feel?”
She bowed her head. “I understand.”
“Do you?”
She glanced at me with sincerity. “I swear I do. I didn’t speak to Kraven first on purpose, I promise. I’d never hurt you like that.”
“Then what happened?”
She shrugged.
“So now you’re protecting him?”
“I just saw you beat his face in. Can you blame me?”
“Trust me,” I reassured. “This isn’t the first time Kraven has been punched in the face.”
“It is by you.”
Considering her remark, I changed the subject. “Since you’re avoiding my question, is it safe to assume Kraven’s in trouble again?”
“I don’t know.”
“You’re just a wealth of information,” I snapped. “What can you tell me?”
Without pause, she leaned her head on my shoulder. “That I’m so sorry.”
The sudden quiet comforted me, and I took shelter in that. My shoulders slumped, my chest loosened, and I leaned my head against hers. I accepted her apology, still uneasy with what Kraven did now.
Getting back to us, I asked, “Were you at least going to talk to me soon, or was the silent treatment going to continue with only me? If I hadn’t walked in on you two, were you going to approach me? Were you going to tell me the truth and just start talking to me? What was the plan here?”
“Julius…” she lured, holding my arm, placing it in her lap. “You know it’s not like that between us.”
“No,” I countered. “I don’t. This is the first time we’re having a discussion. I don’t know anything about you. At this point, Kraven knows more than I do.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“It does to me.”
“Why?”
“Because I care about you.”
“I care about you, too,” she exclaimed, turning to face me. “You’re the only reason I’m okay right now, and I’ve never been okay, Julius. You mean more to me than anyone ever has. I have absolutely no idea where I’d be if it weren’t for you and your kindness. I’ll never be able to thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me and everything you continue to do.” She grabbed my face, staring deep into my eyes.
As if on cue, Kraven cleared his throat. “I hate to interrupt this Hallmark moment, but I’d like to talk to my brother. In private.”
Isla’s hands fell away, and I immediately missed her touch.
“And you choose now?” I bit out, standing, bringing her with me.
“We’re like passing ships these days,” he reminded. “Gotta jump aboard when I can.”
She peered back and forth between us. “Please don’t kill each other.”
I watched her leave, and as soon as she was gone, I questioned, “How’s the lip?”
He scoffed. “You hit like a bitch.”
I chuckled. I couldn’t help it. “You put ice on it? We don’t need your teachers thinking—”
“That you didn’t sucker punch me.”
I let him have that, then requested, “What do you want?”
“I just wanted to make sure we’re good.”
“We will be if you tell me what mess you got yourself into?”
“It’s fine.”
“What is?”
“Nothing.”
“That’s not very reassuring.”
“Yeah.” He smiled, holding up two fingers. “Scout’s honor.”
“You’re the furthest thing from a Boy Scout, Kraven, and I’m done getting slapped in the face with your latest stunt.”
“Yeah, I get it.”
“Do you? Or are you just trying to blow off this conversation like you do everything else?”
“How about you stop digging my grave even deeper, and I’ll take care of anything that happens, okay?”
“So, no calls from your teachers? Parents? Principal? And definitely no calls from CPS, right?”
“Yeah, then we’re off to see the wizard,” he mocked.
“I’m serious. I’m exhausted and I can’t handle any more disappointment.”
Insulted, he spewed, “I’m a disappointment now?”
“You can be, Kraven. Sometimes you make it really hard in a situation that’s already hard enough on me.”
“And what?” he argued. “You think you’re the only one who this has been hard on? I lost them, too, Julius. She walked out on me just as much as she did you. I think you forgot that.”