When she told him she didn’t recognize him, and that she didn’t love this version of who he is, the house got very, very quiet. It’s been quiet ever since. I don’t know where he slept, but it definitely wasn’t across the hall. When she turned that lock, it was as loud as a gunshot ringing through the house.
My phone vibrates. I see Arden’s name.
Wiping my eyes, I open her text message. She said nothing, but she sent me a screenshot of a text chain. I open it and my heart cracks a little bit deeper.
It’s her conversation with Penny.
Arden
Let me know.
Penny
I will, I promise.
Penny
Dec said his face was very damaged, but that he had a good support system around him. Wy and Callum stayed with him last night. Lemmy got there after Dec.
Arden
Is he okay? I’m sick about this.
Penny
He’s okay. He’s upset, but he’s okay.
Arden
Thank god.
Penny
How’s Carter? Dec isn’t himself.
Arden
I’d have to be speaking to him to know that.
Penny
I’m sorry, Arden. How’s our girl?
The conversation cuts off there, and sobs overpower my body. She sent this to comfort me. To show me that Boston is okay, because even though we haven’t spoken, she knows I’m worried. She heard me admit that I am in love with him at the top of my lungs inside that bar. That’s not something I’d ever do easily. It’s not something I wanted.
I don’t even care that Lemmy was there with him. I’m glad that she was. Lemmy has always known how to take care of him. Better than I have. She has years of putting Boston back together on her resume. He needed her. That’s okay. I have been sick, wondering if he’s alone in that big house, feeling like he did something wrong.
He didn’t, and neither did I. My brother needs to realize that.
I wipe my eyes and text Arden.
Me
I need my sister.
There’s a pause.
Arden
