“Ow!” He flinches, slapping my hand away. “What the fuck!”
“Don’t insult my brother!”
He cradles his jaw, eyes flashing. “You’re insane!”
“And you’re an even bigger idiot than I thought.” I grab his hand. “You’re overbearing, you don’t respect my boundaries, and you have serious control issues. But you’re a good brother!” I make a sharp sound when he opens his mouth. “Not up for debate. I’m the only person you’re a brother to, so my opinion is the only one that counts. Shut up about it.”
My brother is twice the size that I am. He’s broad-shouldered and strong. His muscles are powerful, his gait so sure that colleges are willing to pay him to run down their field. We’re opposites, but with our palms pressed against one another, our blood vibrates, warm and true.
He says, “I’m sorry if I ever made you feel… lonely and isolated. I was just trying to protect you.”
“I know.” I look over at him. “But I can take care of myself.”
He almost looks bashful when he admits, “It’s been nice, having you around this year. Watching you make friends. Being there when you learned to drive.”
“It has been,” I say, squeezing his hand. “I’ll miss it next year.”
“Me, too.”
The room goes silent and we both watch the ceiling. Somewhere out there Reyn is alone, dealing with my mistakes, because I’m finding this new life I lead is precarious and strange. One part of my life clicks into place just as another one falls to pieces. I realize I couldn’t do it. Not without the both of them.
Maybe I’m greedy, but I won’t accept anything less.
It’s late when I hear Mr. McAllister downstairs. I’ve been waiting all day for a call from Gwen or her mom, turning my phone over in my hands, restless and impatient. I don’t know what’s taking so damn long. But when I hear Reyn’s dad, I rush down the stairs as fast as my leg will take me.
He’s sitting at the dining room table with my parents, head hung low. He’s saying, “… has to be within twenty-four hours, so probably in the morning.”
They all look up when I approach. “Did you talk to him?”
Mr. McAllister meets my gaze, giving me a tense, tired grin. “Hello, Vandy. I just came by to apologize for Reyn’s—”
“There’s nothing to apologize for,” my dad insists. “Whatever’s going on, we just hope he gets the help he needs.”
Mr. McAllister—Warren—bristles visibly at this. “Yes. Well…”
“Is he okay?” I ask, hands wringing.
Warren looks surprised by my concern. “You don’t need to worry about him. He’s just waiting it out until—” He goes abruptly silent, and it takes me a moment to realize he’s staring at my chest.
No—thank god.
He’s staring at my necklace.
He pushes back into his seat, eyes rising to mine. “Denise, could I… have a word with your daughter?”
My mom looks taken aback, but ultimately says, “Yes, of course.”
Even still, neither her or my dad stand to leave. Warren watches them blankly, realizing they don’t mean to. “Okay then.” He pats the table awkwardly, eyes shifting to me. “Vandy, why don’t you have a seat.”
My stomach erupts in nervous flutters, but at my parents’ nod, I slide out a chair and perch on the edge of it.
He leans toward me, hands laced together, and haltingly begins, “I want you to know, I… understand. Why it's a secret.” His eyes flick down to the firefly, and I don’t miss the way his eyes flash in recognition. I reach up to clutch it anxiously in my hand, because somehow, there’s a knowing look in his eyes. “But if you know something that can help my son, then—”
My mom cuts in, “I’m sorry. What’s a secret?”
His eyes jump to her, flashing in annoyance. Instead of answering, he continues, “I don't want to put you in this position, but you need to know how serious this is for him. Reyn doesn’t have any second chances here.”
Reyn has his father’s strong features. His green eyes. His sharp angles. When Warren McAllister looks at me with those imploring eyes, it’s eerie. It’s almost like how I felt that first day, seeing Reyn back. Like someone else is walking around in his skin.
“My son told me the girl he gave that necklace to was special,” he says. “I really need you to live up to that.”
My mom’s saying, “What necklace?” and my dad’s asking “Warren, what’s going on?” but Mr. McAllister is pinning me with his gaze and my heart is banging