Page 108 of A Silence So Divine

Gripping the discarded blanket in one hand, I push myself to stand with the other. This time when he leans forward, he snags my wrist and I’m forced to sit back down.

“I can’t believe that.” He doesn’t look at me as he speaks, his words barely audible.

I yank in his hold. His grip tightens.

“Please,” he whispers. “Creed can’t lose you. And I… I can’t….” His gaze flicks up to mine. What I’m met with isn’t anger, or disappointment, or frustration.

It’sfear.

The conversation goes up in smoke, lost to the heaviness of unspoken things. Words are futile, so I settle for what affections I can offer. His hair is soft in my palm as I push it back off his forehead. I press myself close once more, swallowing Cecil’s grievances. Hands roaming and breaths mingling, we forge a closeness that is so foreign to me.

As the moon chases the sun across the sky, we chase the happiness that is all too fleeting.

Forty Four

Cecil

If I were a better man, the night at the beach would have been a one-off.

I’m not a better man.

It’s a week later, and I’ve tasted Eden’s lips atleastonce a day since. I wish I could say it’s her pursuing me, that I’m too weak to tell her no, but that’s not the reality at all. I’m the one seekingherout. A quick kiss in the shadows of a hallway while Creed makes dinner, or early in the morning before he wakes. With plenty of determination between the two of us, we find ample opportunities to steal moments of one another.

It’s painfully cliche, but it really did “just happen”. It wasn't a conscious decision on my end to throw caution to the wind. If anything, I’d been keeping her at arms length to prevent this. At least, I thought I was.

I can’t remember ever being so… enamored by someone. It’s unordinary circumstances for an unordinary girl.

There wasn’t an outright discussion about whether or not to tell Creed, but she’s kept it between the two of us. With everything else going on, the last thing I want is to find out howmy brother reacts to me locking lips with his only friend. My guess is: not well.

We’ve also decided not to worry him with the alleged premonition Eden’s mother had. I’ve tried once to broach the subject with Eden, but the sadness in her eyes and her persistent efforts to change the subject had left my resolve running dry. We don’t discuss it. It’s just there; a shadow in each conversation, each stolen glance.

I’m not worried about it. I’m not. Because there’s no way in Hell I’m going to let anything happen to her. Especially not now.

Having spent the day between the Sanctuary and the Refuge, I’m dead on my feet by the time we make it home. Stepping into the centuries old house, I relish in the barely functioning air conditioning. It’s only about five degrees cooler than it is outside, but it’s not nearly as humid. All day, the cotton of my shirt has clung to me like a second skin. Sweat from the day leaves me feeling sticky and irritable. Just as I’m about to head up the stairs, Creed steps into my path. Eden stops, too, but he asks her to start preparing dinner. The control freak he is, I know something’s awry.

Eden looks unsure, but she could never say no to him, and she obeys without question.

We’re alone. Creed scowls.

Damn it all.

“What are you doing?”He asks.

I don’t know how he knows, but it’s evident in the ruddiness of his cheeks.

Lying to my brother has never felt good, but it’s admittedly my bread and butter.

“Hopefully showering,”I reply coyly.

Creed looks in the direction of the kitchen, probably ensuring Eden is out of view. Satisfied, he steps further into my space.

“You know what I mean. I saw you two on the beach.”

All the blood in my face rushes down and out into my extremities, leaving me ashen. Forsaken by my own body, there’s no hiding my guilt.

Creed presses on.“What are you doing with her?”

A rumble of defeat sounds from my chest as I rub a hand down my face. There’s no explaining that I’m at a loss as much as he is, so I shrug my shoulders as a last resort. Technically, it’s not a lie. Not that I expect to win any brownie points for my begrudged honesty.