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In the kitchen across from the living room, Carrie dumps a pile of eggs onto a plate, followed by two pieces of toast.
“How you feelin’?” my sister asks before setting the plate beside the mug and taking a seat next to Heather.
“All right, I guess.” I sit up, stretching my cramped muscles and mourning the residual throb left by Logan at my core. “Thanks for picking me up so late last night, Heather. I… I needed some space to think.”
After I left the event, she was the first person I called, and she and Carrie came as quickly as they could.
It riddled me with guilt that they had to drive all that way, but I couldn’t bring myself to stay another night in that apartment.
Heather takes my hand, and I smile despite the ache in my chest. A year ago, she wouldn’t dream of openly touching another person like that.
“Anything for you, Pen.” Releasing me, she forces a piece of toast in my palm, and says, “And don’t worry, I told Marcus not to say a word to Patrick. That way, you can get settled and get your wits about you before you talk to him.”
“Thanks. I really appreciate that.”
“Are you okay?” Carrie asks, casting me a concerned glance. “Don’t just shrug and say yes. I really want to know if I need to go kick Logan’s ass.”
“Yeah, we’ll teach him a thing or two.” Heather curls her fists, lightly swinging them in front of me.
I snort before taking a few bites of food. If Logan only knew how much trouble he’d be in if Heather and Carrie cornered him. “I’m not okay, but I know I will be.”
Carrie narrows her eyes. “Vague, but I accept.”
Like a couple of mother hens, they watch me eat until every bite is gone.
Only once they’re satisfied that I’m taken care of does Heather turn to me thoughtfully. “We’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you guys, too.” I glance out the window at that old red barn perched on the hill beside Mom and Dad’s elaborate home.
Last year, when I brought Marcus to the ranch to lie low from the rest of the world, I had the same feeling that I have now. “Every time I come back, I’m reminded of how much I miss this place, too.”
“Maybe you should visit more often,” she says with a smirk.
“It’s hard when this whole damn ranch reminds me of him.” Being vulnerable makes my palms sweaty, but I look at my sister and force the words, anyway. “But it’s not just that. I’ve been doing a lot of avoiding over the years, causing a rift between all of us, and that’s not on anyone but me.”
Carrie’s face pinches as she reaches over to squeeze my knee. “It’s okay, sis.”
Our heads swivel toward the front door the moment it swings open.
“Hey, Pen.” Marcus swaggers inside, smiling broadly. He crosses the living area to wrap me in a big hug. “It’s been too long.”
Air whooshes from my lungs when his long arms squeeze a laugh out of me, but my smile quickly fades when my parents step inside the house behind him.
“M-mom, Dad… Hey,” I stammer awkwardly as my cousin lowers me to my feet.
Heather’s eyes go wide. “Marcus.”
“What? I did exactly as you asked and got Patrick,” he whispers defensively.
She smacks his arm. “No, you idiot. I said don’t get him!”
“Ow.” He rubs the spot with a frown. “I’m sorry, okay? I thought I was helping.”
“Penelope, what are you doing here?” Mom asks, her face drawn with worry. “Are you all right?”
The breakfast in my stomach pitches and rolls with a fresh wave of anxiety, but this is what I came here for, isn’t it? To tell them the truth, hopefully earn their acceptance, and show Dad that I’ve found something worth living and fighting for.
I gesture toward the couch. “Maybe you guys should have a seat.”
