Slow No Wake - By Dakota Madison Page 0,45
more than just that moment. “You have to let me go.”
“I can’t.”
“Please.”
I could feel the breath leave his body but he was still holding me. I was so caught up in the moment of feeling Eddie so close to me and the tenderness between us, I hadn’t even realized that Daniel had climbed up Eddie’s end pole.
“Let Lexie go,” Daniel said.
Eddie did as he was told then he looked over at Daniel. “You shouldn’t be up here, man.”
Daniel let out a single laugh. “Like you have anything to say about what someone should and shouldn’t do.”
“You need to get down so Lexie can climb down.”
Realization crossed Daniel’s face. “Right, sure.”
Daniel climbed down the pole and I climbed down right after him. Eddie stayed at the top for a moment, then climbed down after us.
Daniel was now standing so close to me we could have been attached at the hip. When Eddie returned to the group, I noticed ‘old’ Eddie had returned. There wasn’t a trace of the loving man, who had embraced me at the top of the pole. He was a charismatic asshole again.
NINE
Drift
I was so exhausted by Thursday evening, all I could think about was getting home, changing into my pajamas and climbing into bed with a good book.
Imagine my surprise when I saw a petite blonde sitting on my doorstep. “What are you doing here?”
“Did you get my letter?” Hannah asked as she rose. I noticed a large duffle bag was lying on the ground next to her.
I motioned toward the bag. “Are you planning on staying a while?”
She kicked some sand on the ground with her flip flop. “I don’t really have anywhere else to go.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “Why is that?”
“Well, it’s kind of a long story, but dad kicked me out.”
I heaved a sigh. Even though we still had a lot of issues to deal with, could I leave my sister to live on the streets? I had to admit, a small part of me sought revenge and that part of me thought that her being homeless and jobless was justice for her betrayal. But a bigger part of me wanted to help my little sister when she needed me.
I unlocked my door and entered my apartment. I expected her to follow, but she just stood in the doorway. A lone teardrop escaped down her face as she stifled a sob.
“Are you going to stand out there all night? Rumor has it my landlord is a pervert, and he lives two doors down.”
Hannah scooped up her duffle bag and hurried into my apartment.
“You’re going to have to sleep on the couch until we can get a bed for my spare room,” I said.
“It’s okay. I don’t mind.”
“You can come to work with me tomorrow. If you have no objections, I’m going to sign you up for our volunteer program. It will give you something to do until you’re able to find a job.”
Hannah nodded. “Sure, whatever you want.”
“When you’re at work with me, under no circumstances are you to ever interact with Mr. LaRoche. Got it?”
My sister nodded.
“I’m serious,” I warned her.
“Okay,” she said. “I’ve got it. Anything else?”
“Yes; I’m going camping this weekend and you’re not invited.”
“Why not?” protested my sister.
“You’ll have to excuse me if I don’t want you anywhere near my new boyfriend.”
Hannah heaved a sigh. She looked like she might cry.
“You can watch movies or go to the beach. It’s only a few blocks from here. You should find plenty of things to keep you occupied.”
“I feel bad that you don’t trust me. And I want to meet your new guy.”
“It will take some time for you to earn my trust again. You’ll probably meet my new guy tomorrow but it will only be in passing. We work together, but we don’t want everyone to know we’re together. Got it?”
“I get it,” she said.
“You can put your bag in the spare room. We can pick up some stuff for you on the way home from work tomorrow.”
Hannah nodded and trudged toward the bedroom. Then she turned back to me and said, “Thanks, Lexie. I really mean that. I know you didn’t have to take me in but I’m glad you did.”
I gave her a half smile, which was so symbolic of my current feelings for my sister. Half of me was happy I could help her and half of me was waiting for her to make another stupid choice that would ruin my life.
***
Driving to work, I