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“So we try then.”
He gently pushes me back to look into my eyes. I think he needs to see I mean those four words. “You mean that?” he asks anxiously, and I nod.
“Hey…” Jared’s voice comes from on the other side of the door just as James wraps his arms around me once more, engulfing me in a tight hug.
“Are you ready?” Jared asks, peeking around the corner, probably hoping I’m not naked.
“Yes, I’m sure—Dad.” I try the word out, and surprisingly it eases from my lips.
With one last tight squeeze, James releases me with a bright smile on his face. He slips out of the bedroom past Jared.
“What was that about?” Jared questions, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.
“That was none of your business, what do you want?” I change the subject standing before him in a defensive stance. I’m still not sure about Jared. Some days, we click and others, we’re like water and oil. Maybe that’s normal for siblings?
“Right… Well, whatever it was, you’re holding us up.”
“From what?” I sputter, taken aback by his comment. What the hell is he talking about? I wasn’t holding anyone up.
“From going to the grocery store.” Jared sounds surprised like I was supposed to know what he is talking about. No one told me anything.
Huffing out a breath, I shake my head. “I’ve never gone to the grocery store with you since we’ve been here. Why now all of a sudden?” It’s not a strange question with the way Enzo has been acting. “Didn’t you just yell at me for going out on a date trying to be normal. Now you expect me to go to the grocery store?”
“Well, since Enzo decided he didn’t want to do it, and Dad is busy, I figured you and I could go.”
“You mean you saddled me up for the job, so you don’t have to go alone?” I ask, raising an eyebrow in suspicion.
“You know it. Now get your ass moving. Daylight is burning, and we have to be back before dark.” Then, just like that, he slips from the bedroom.
I get dressed quickly, tucking the knife into my boot. I’m not sure what Enzo or Jared would think about Eli giving me a weapon, but I’m not going to go into all of this without one. Eli had a point.
As I make my way into the living room, I stumble upon an argument between James and Enzo of epic proportions.
“It’s not your choice,” Enzo growls, baring his teeth like a lion ready to roar.
“It’s not yours either.” James comes back just as harsh, and for a second, I think they’re going to brawl right here on the living room floor.
“Just shut up, both of you. Don’t kill each other while we’re gone either,” Jared yells in between, heading over to me. Enzo takes notice of my presence. His eyes lingering on mine for a moment before going to the floor. What’s his problem?
“Let’s go,” Jared orders, and even though I don’t want to go, I know I need to get away, get out. Get some air. Clear my head and think.
“You know you could ask me, and not so much order me. Just because you’re my brother doesn’t mean I have to listen to you,” I enlighten him.
With a snort and short laugh, he gets into the SUV. Shaking my head, I follow him and get into the passenger’s seat.
“Be glad I let you sit up front with me. Little sisters normally sit in the back,” he jokes, “also don’t think I’ll be carrying all the bags. I brought you to help.”
God, this shopping trip is gonna be so much fun...“Don’t they have pads anywhere in this godforsaken store?” I mumble to myself, walking down the aisle marked toilet paper. Tampons are a bathroom product, so what the hell?
As I search the shelves, my eyes finally land on a box of Kotex hidden behind a sign. Well, one box is better than none, I suppose.
Grabbing the box, I quickly turn around to find Jared, only to run into a firm chest.
“Oh, my gosh, I’m so sor—” My words cut off as my eyes run up a firm body before landing on two familiar green orbs. Eli.
“Fancy seeing you here,” he teases casually, but his eyes are anything but. He’s staring at me like he is about to grow fangs and take a bite out of my neck.
“Umm… yeah…” The trust he built between us last night evaporates into thin air. The uneasy feeling I’d come to know around him returning.
Something is off. He shouldn’t be here. This wasn’t the plan.
“We’ve run into some trouble, so I’m going to need you to leave the store quietly and come with me,” he says calmly, but his demeanor is anything but. His jaw is tight, his back stiff, and his eyes flicker nervously to take in his surroundings.
