placed Pop Rocks in my bloodstream. I shiver slightly, emotions bombarding me, before focusing once more on Adam, who is in the midst of a rant about bubbles.
Yeah, he’s still pissed at me for throwing his bubbles away when we left the hotel. But in my defense, Akor gifted him those bubbles, so I have no idea if they’re truly safe. For all I know, they explode when exposed to oxygen.
Adam suddenly pauses in mid-step, giving my hand a soft squeeze. He tilts his chubby face up so he’s staring directly at me, his eyes squinted against the blinding sun.
“It’s okay, Katty,” he whispers. And when I cock my head in confusion, he smiles broadly, revealing his tiny teeth. “I miss them, too.”
My heart jumps like a grasshopper, and tears prick my eyes, though I stubbornly hold them in. Still, I can’t stop myself from bending down and cupping Adam’s cheeks in my hands. If I were to lose him to my parents…
No, I can’t think that way. I refuse to.
Giving his head a quick kiss, I pull away and brush at my eyes with the back of my hand.
“Katty!” Adam laughs. “You’re crying!”
I release an indignant huff, casting him a small half-smile. “They’re happy tears. Promise.”
I take his hand in mine once more, and together, the two of us step up the townhome’s rickety front steps. My heart is hammering like there’s an entire construction crew at work in its confines, and my hands feel clammy. Nerves have me dancing in place as I stare intently at the closed door. I set down our bags and the cat carrier, though Kator protests with a tiny yowl.
Garnering all of my courage, I knock once.
The silence that follows my knock nearly makes me break into tears a second time, but before I can embarrass myself, the door is swung open, and a shirtless Van greets me.
His auburn hair is mussed, somehow giving him that sexy, just fucked look I find so attractive in guys, but his eyes are bright and alert as they land on me. He inhales sharply, dozens of emotions flitting across his face like shooting stars, before he lunges forward and takes me in his arms.
“You’re here,” he breathes, burying his nose in my hair.
“I need to talk to you all.” My throat is clogged both by emotion and his chest. His perfect, muscular chest I really want to memorize with just the tip of my finger. Or my lips. Or both…
“I’m here too!” Adam pouts, and Van releases a genuine laugh, detangling himself from my arms and launching himself at Adam. He picks my younger brother up and spins him around, both of us reveling in Adam’s giggles.
“How has my favorite little man been?” Van queries, eyes bright for the first time in…how long? I can’t remember the last time I noticed that spark. You know the one. When I saw him in the hallways the last few days, those brilliant brown orbs were dull, devoid of any life, like a plant that is steadily withering away. Even the bathroom orgy Van created hadn’t held any interest for him, which my jealous mind was eternally grateful for.
But in a span of seconds, the night has lifted, the sun has crested the skyline, and that gorgeous spark has returned.
And now I’m spitting poetry about Van’s eyes like I’m some sort of famous rapper or something. Except it didn’t rhyme. I can’t even be a famous rapper in my own head. Unfair. But if I have to sacrifice my imaginary rap career in exchange for my demons, I’ll take it.
“Careful of my kitty!” Adam screams, but the sound is more jovial than distressed as Kator purrs in her kennel.
Van turns towards me, flashing a glorious smile, before setting Adam down and reaching for my hand.
“We’re all in the den.” He’s practically bursting with unrestrained energy, bouncing on the balls of his feet. I’ve never seen him so…excited before. So enthusiastic. I’m not saying that Van is as broody as Raz, but he’s definitely jaded when it comes to feelings. And when I say feelings, I mean all feelings and emotions, not just love. The heart-stopping terror, the toe-curling and lip-biting lust, the fist-balling anger. For the longest time, I believe he simply glided through life, never taking a moment to admire the scenery. But I can also see that he’s changing—his smiles more frequent and his frowns all but gone.