I want to be different than my sisters.
I don’t want him to think of me as being weak.
But I also realize how toxic that is. I’m not special. My sisters aren’tliabilities. And I can’t always be strong.
Me: Please
Maxim: See you tonight
Me: Can we stay here? Just this once, please?
Maxim: Ofc
I sag against the hallway wall, utterly relieved that he’ll be here tonight. Even if him maneuvering around Shay will be a nightmare.
Seeing Brennan’s texted me too, I tap into the message.
Brennan: You sounded stressed
Brennan: Did last night not go well?
So, the Irish truly don’t have an in with the Veronians.
That I could be useful to them both fills up a space inside me that’s always been empty before.
It’s why I went through with this at all, but the reminder’s welcome.
Me: It went fine.
Me: There are three rites of induction. Last night, I performed great. I’ll tell you when I receive the next invitation
Me: I promise all’s well Give my love to Camille and the sprout. GTG
That done, I head into the kitchen.
Just in time to see his:
Brennan: We love you too. And my kid is not a vegetable
I refuse to cry.
“Oh! You didn’t have to do that,” I fuss, finding Wynter sweeping up the beans that exploded everywhere.
“It helps me to keep busy,” she says in a rush.
“Yeah.” Maxim’s the definition of busy. “It does. You okay?”
She peeps at me from the corner of her eye. “Wondering what I got myself involved in.”
“I only did it because he was going to kill me first.”
“I can see that.” She rolls her top lip over her teeth. "He looked like a crazy serial killer from a movie.”
“Norman Bates wannabe. I was just waiting for thePsychosoundtrack to kick in. Make it a real party.” I shoo her aside and collect the dustpan loaded with coffee beans. “You want coffee, right?”
“Please. Espresso’s fine. Might as well drown in caffeine. It’s not like I’m going to sleep again.”
I suddenly feel guilty for how well I slept last night.
