speculatively as he studied me.
“I don’t know what’s gone down between the two of you,” he said slowly. “But if you’re trying to get Leo to do something, you need to let him come to you. He doesn’t like being backed into a corner. It’s been a thing of his ever since…” He scratched his chin. “Huh. Ever since he switched schools, I guess. He doesn’t like being powerless is what it is, I think. You’ll need to be patient.”
I nodded at Kairo as he reminded me even now of the damage I’d done to his brother. “He’s always been pretty stubborn,” I murmured.
I’d loved that side of him, the part of him that was relentless in his insistence of his feelings for me, even when I’d fought against mine. But now I’d twisted it into something he was using to fight against me.
I sighed, my exhale long and slow.
Kairo smiled, just a small twitch of his lips. “If you really know Leo, you know he isn’t the type to hold a grudge.”
I huffed my disagreement. Maybe once Leo had been quick to forgive, but now he had a grudge he planned to hold for seven years.
“I think you just need to give Leo time.” Kairo kept his eyes on the spot where Leo had disappeared as he spoke, almost like he could still see his brother.
I glanced at the park around us, certain Kairo didn’t know the whole story but unwilling to spill my part in his brother’s misery as we stood on a public path, a soft breeze rustling the tree leaves above us. Such an ugly truth would spoil a perfectly nice day. Plus, I didn’t have the guts for a confession to Kairo before I’d made amends with Leo.
Every memory I held of the Caldwell family was a good one. They’d been picture perfect—kind, loving, wonderful. And I didn’t want to taint their impression of me. Not before I’d fixed Leo, anyway.
“Thank you,” I said instead. “Although I don’t know why you’re helping me.” I could afford that much truth.
He smiled and allowed himself a small laugh. Then he shook his head. “You know, I don’t really know either. I can’t explain it. I’ve watched all of my brothers fall in love. Leo is the last one. And for some reason I have a good feeling about you and him.” Then he seemed to shake himself out of whatever sentimentality had settled over him, and he patted me on the shoulder. “Anyway, enough about me and my brotherly intuition. See you at the kids’ flag football game on Saturday?”
I nodded. “Sure.” At this point, I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Leo would be there, and so would I, trying to stick to Kane’s advice—and now Kairo’s as well.
Go slowly, don’t push, let Leo come to me.
Kairo walked away, his stride much more measured than his brother’s, although he carried himself the same way. The brothers fascinated me, with their fantastical upbringing in a glass box on the hill overlooking the city.
I shook the memories away, grateful for Kairo’s optimism. I didn’t know where he got his hope from that Leo would come around, though, because mine was fast depleting.
5
Leo
I paced around my living room, my phone in my hand. I’d already scrolled to Kairo’s number three times, but what could I say? I was so angry with him for putting me in the position where I had to see Shayne and spend real time with him.
I was so angry, but it was all my own fucking fault for not telling anyone, for continuing to protect Shayne, for loving him even though he’d hurt me.
And I’d hoped.
I’d hoped for too many years that he’d come back, that he’d love me still, that he’d apologize and… And fucking what? There was no moving past what he did.
Just because I couldn’t move past how I felt about him, that didn’t make me weak.
I jabbed my finger on the screen, calling Kairo.
“Hey.” He answered his phone with a laugh, his happiness radiating down the line.
Even that irritated me. How dare Kairo sound so carefree? “What were you thinking?” I hissed at him. My hand shook as I clutched my phone to my ear.
“Whoa… hey… Leo… Are you okay?” His happiness changed to concern. “Are you at home? I can come over.”
I heard him moving, but at the thought of his worry, the fight drained from me.
My brothers didn’t have the details of why I’d transferred schools. They didn’t know