It may have been the end to their partnership, but it was also the end to their marriage, and to the family as we knew it. We had entered unchartered territory. Divorce had been the norm for so many of our friends, but, now that we had joined their ranks, we wanted off that twisted partial custody merry-go-round. I hated it then, and I hate it now. I hate it. I hate that my parents openly defied the vows they took and then blew apart like drifters.
I raise my bow and aim high at the heart carved into a lone pine that sits in the clearing. I’ve spent the last ten minutes piercing that heart my mother carved out many ironic years ago.
The scent of oven-ripe soil penetrates my nostrils, sticks to my skin as the sweat under my neck quickly turns to grime. I’m not afraid of getting dirty. I’m certainly not afraid of letting anyone see me in this less than hygienic way.
“Hold your fire,” a male voice calls from behind, and I let go of my arrow, watching as it splices past the others tucked neatly in that cupid-shaped fantasy, landing dead in the middle.
“Bullseye.” Rex comes up and stands beside me, staring out at my handy work, looking impressed and perhaps a bit shaken. His warm cologne circles me and makes me long for a shower and some mouthwash.
“I’m a good shot,” I pant, pulling another arrow from the pouch slung over my back.
“Oh, I’m aware.” He tweaks his brows, bobbing his head with a touch too much amusement. It infuriates me enough to want to use his bobblehead as my next target. “You clocked me twice on the chin in the middle of the night.”
“Just wanted to make sure you were staying on your side of the bed.” My lips twist with disdain as a look of revulsion takes over. “I think tonight you should sleep on the couch.”
His eyes widen into twin circles of baby blue in an ocean of white. “What happened to our budding relationship?”
“I’m over it. I suggest you get over it, too. I’m thinking we should have a dramatic breakup. You know, something that involves kitchen knives launched at your head.” I glance down at his crotch a moment. Rex is forever in blue jeans, all the same well-worn versions at that. I’d hate to think he’s the kind of guy who wears the same pair of jeans over and over, but since his family is swimming in green, I’m sure he can afford more than one pair of mechanically altered Levi’s. “I’ll be sure to aim for both the big head and the little.” My lips cinch into a smirk.
His eyes latch on to mine, and the air charges around us. I’ve never in my life felt so much dislike toward one person.
“There’s not a little head on my body.” He’s daring me to go there one more time with those marbled eyes.
“Be sure to stand next to Duncan while you’re at it. Of course, I’ll have to nick you as well. Everyone in my family knows I’m a damn good shot.” I offer up a little wink.
“All right, Agent Orange—your dad asked me to bring you back alive. There’s some big announcement brewing up there.” He glances back to the cabin with a clear look of regret. If anything, we’re a united front on not wanting our parents to remain united.
“Wait, did you say announcement?” My ears pique at the horrible idea. “What kind of announcement?” People announce things that lead to big life shifts like babies and sex changes, and seeing that neither one of our parents is of a socially acceptable child-bearing age nor are their gender-related parts in any suspected danger, that only leaves…
“That’s right.” Those sides of beef he calls arms fold over his chest. “I don’t know what the hell’s brewing, but your sister was tap dancing like she had to go to the bathroom so she might have a part in it.”
“Bleh.” Just the thought of listening to a thing Sabrina has to say makes me want to vomit all over those bed sheets she and Duncan defiled last night. Speaking of bed sheets… “I’ll go with you under two circumstances. One, you resolve to take us off this mountain tonight after our monster breakup—which, of course, neither my father nor your mother will ever be made aware of, lest I skewer your balls together with one of these bad boys.” I