First and Forever (Heartache Duet #2) - Jay McLean Page 0,29
to my chin, with Connor’s jacket still on. Which wouldn’t be so bad if it weren’t for the fact that the last thing I remember was sitting on the couch with Connor’s arms around me, my head on his chest, while his hand consistently found a new strand of hair to twirl between his fingers. I remember looking up at him to see him already watching me, and just like that silent moment we shared on my porch, a million unspoken words flitted between us, and the one thought that stood out the most was: I am in trouble. Deep, soul-shattering, trouble.
I don’t remember falling asleep, and I sure as hell don’t remember waking up to go to my room. When my alarm went off, I rushed out to the living room, thinking he might be there, but he wasn’t. The TV was off, the blanket was folded up on the couch, and his empty glass of water was washed and put away… and I haven’t heard from him since.
The only thing I know for sure is that going by what happened last night, it seems the doctors have finally found the right balance of medication for my mom that helps her get through the night while being able to maintain decent human functionality during the day. I’m so grateful for that because it means I get a little bit of my mother back.
“We’re off,” I tell her, kissing her on the cheek.
She looks up from the customized crossword puzzle she’s working on. “Have a good day, sweetheart.”
“I can’t wait for you to get your license,” Trevor says, slipping on his shoes by the front door.
“I can’t wait for you to start teaching me,” I retort.
“That’s a hard pass.” He grabs his keys. “I don’t have the patience for your stubborn ass.”
Mom laughs.
“Mama!” I whine. “Don’t take his side.”
“He has a point though,” Mom says through a giggle. “And your brother is the most patient man I know.”
“Thanks, Mama Jo,” Trevor says, standing taller. “See you tonight.” He closes the door after us and then just stands on the porch, his gaze distant. “I don’t think your mom’s ever called me your brother before,” he murmurs.
“Sure, she has.”
He shakes his head. “Not in front of me.”
I stop at the bottom of the porch steps and look up at him. “Is that bad?”
“No,” he says, his eyes meeting mine. “It’s cool, I guess. Makes me feel like I’m part of the family.”
“Of course, you are.”
He shrugs. “No, it always felt like you and her, and I was… I don’t know.”
I shrug. “I tell people you’re my brother.”
“Yeah, but that’s different,” he says, making his way down to me.
“How?”
“Because that’s the way it’s always been.” His gaze shifts past me. “Hey, it’s Connor.” He whistles, short and sharp. “Can you give my sister a ride?”
“No!” I whisper-yell, punching his shoulder.
He fakes hurt. “What?”
I keep my voice low. “I’m not…”
“You’re not what?”
“Not…” Ready to deal with my emotions just yet.
“You coming?” Connor shouts.
“Yeah!” Trevor answers for me, then runs to his truck and slams the door shut, locking himself in from the inside.
I internally groan, walk down my driveway, and meet Connor on the sidewalk. “Sorry. I guess his lazy ass didn’t want to go out of his way.”
Connor opens my door for me. “I don’t mind.”
“You sure?” I ask, and because I’m a brat, I add, “The last time I asked for a ride, it didn’t end well.”
He heaves out a sigh. “God, you’re a smartass.”
After helping me get in his truck, I tell him, “You were kind of mean to me that day.”
He shuts the door and makes his way to his side. Then he reaches into the back seat, reveals a can of deodorant, and sprays me with it. “Get over it.”
“Connor!” I wind down his window.
He sprays me again.
“Stop!” I laugh out.
“Are you done sulking?”
“I didn’t sulk. You did! Boo hoo. I can’t be friends with you because—”
“Because being around you drove me crazy in all the best possible ways, and it still does, but the difference between you and me? I quit sulking about it. Are you done?”
I growl at him.
He rolls his eyes, sprays me one more time, then throws the deodorant somewhere behind him. He offers me his pinky. “Truce?”
I link my finger with his. “Truce.”
Once we get to school, we walk together to Miss Turner’s office before he goes off to practice. “I’ll see you in multimedia?” he asks.