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)
“Why was he chasing you?”
“Because it was Tuesday.”
I grimaced, hating that for her. Yet I immediately understood what she meant by that.
With uncertainty in her stare and tears in her eyes, she admitted, “Nobody knows, but I think I killed him.”
Her words knocked the air out of me, though I remained calm, years of practice working in my favor. Instead, I drew her into my arms, and she settled on my lap.
Her heartbeat was in sync with mine. Cradling her face in my hands, I wiped her tears with my thumbs.
“I’m here, Isla. Nothing you tell me changes the way I see or feel you, the way I care about you…”
Relief quickly washed over her face. “You promise?”
“I swear it.”
“Do you think the cops are—”
“No.”
She sighed deeply, leaning her forehead on mine.
“Do me a favor?”
“Anything.”
I spoke with conviction…
* * *
“Now that you’re with me, you let me worry about everything.”
Chapter
Thirty-Four
Kraven
May the bridges I burn light the way… -Dylan McKay
* * *
Two months later.
One year, seven months together.
* * *
“Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, dear Julius! Happy birthday to you!”
I stood in the background, leaning against the column, watching everyone sing. It was early Friday afternoon. There was no school for teacher planning day, and Isla had thrown Julius a surprise party for his nineteenth birthday.
I didn’t want to be there.
Let’s just say, the past two months had been hell to pay. There was no going back from that night.
It changed everything between us.
I spent even less time there, making sure Julius was working when I did show up for clothes for school and stuff. Those nights, I’d play for Isla through the wall. It was basically our way of communicating these days. Although she always left me a plate of food in the fridge.
In a month, I’d be eighteen…
Not only that, but Isla would be too. Our birthdays weren’t far apart. We’d legally be adults, and for some reason, it felt as if that would cause a further divide, especially between Julius and me.
There were about twenty people there, and it was the last place I wanted to be, but Isla insisted.
Roland stood next to me, bumping his shoulder into mine. “You’ve been awfully quiet tonight. What’s up?”
“I’m good.”
“You having problems with your brother?”
I glanced at him. “When are we not having problems?”
“Yeah.” He nodded, deeply inhaling. “You’re too hard on each other.”
I shrugged. “What can I say? It’s our love language.”
He scoffed out a chuckle before giving me a serious expression. “So it’s not about the girl?”
Playing dumb, I cocked my head. “Isla?”
He arched an eyebrow with a who do you think you’re talking to face that made me laugh. No matter what, Roland always came through for us. When we were kids, he’d sometimes sleep on our couch. Always made sure we had food, even if he had to share his. He was a good man, and I hadn’t met too many of those.
“Is it that obvious?” I asked.
“You tell me.” He laughed. “You’ve got that look about you.”
“So I look like a dumbass?”
He grinned. “At least your wit is still intact.”
“It’s about the only thing I have going for me these days.”
“I heard you’ve been doing better in school.”
“Isla told you that?” I nodded to her. “Don’t get too used to it. She hasn’t been tutoring me lately.”
“Kraven, you’re smart. You applying yourself is what got your grades up.”
“Debatable.”
“By just you,” he clarified. “I know what you’re capable of. You graduate this year despite everything you’ve overcome, and you know Julius is a big part of that.”
With a snide smirk, I snapped, “He doesn’t let me forget it.”
“You’re not being fair.”
“Fair to who?”
“Listen,” he reasoned, grabbing my shoulder. “At the end of the day, you’re brothers.”
“And sometimes blood isn’t thicker than water.”
“Kraven…”
I stepped back. “I don’t expect you to take my side.”
“There are no sides. You’re on the same team.”
“Easy for you to say.”
“Don’t give me that shit. I’ve been here since the beginning. Julius bends over backward for you. You should appreciate him.”
“You see me getting into trouble?” I held my arms at my sides. “I’ve turned a new leaf.”
“Is that her influence?”
“What if it is?”
He agreed. “I’d say it’s about damn time.”
I grinned, but it faded when he followed it up with, “But she’s your brother’s girl.”
“I’m aware.”
“Are you?”
I rolled my eyes, mocking, “All’s fair in love and war, right?”
He jerked back. “You’re throwing around words like love and war, and you’re telling me you know she’s taken?”
I zeroed in on him. “Is she, though?”
“Kraven…” he warned in an authoritative tone. “Don’t lose your brother over a girl.”
I smiled. “But she’s such a good influence.”
He folded his arms over his chest. “You’re being for real right now? You’ve managed to stay out of trouble?”
“Why is that so hard to believe?”
“Kra—”
The doorbell rang, cutting him off.