Page 108 of Time To Learn

Then I venture a glance at Kristian, hoping he’ll start sharing his story with me. That he isn’t going to back downnow.

His head is turned to the fire as he takes a deep breath, the glass held loosely in his right hand hanging down the side of the chair.

“When I was eighteen, my mum found out she was pregnant,” he starts. “Her latest boyfriend didn’t stick around when she told him about the baby, but she wanted it, and once I got over my initial shock and embarrassment, I was happy forher.”

I sit still, afraid tomove.

“So, baby Rose was born, and while it was tough for Mum, she had me to help her out. We were all pretty happy for the next few years.” His lips twitch as his eyes warm, no doubt lost in the good memories. I hold my breath, waiting for him to go on. “Except, it didn’t last. When Rose was six years old, she started getting sick a lot, ended up in hospital, and once the doctors had run a lot of tests, they told us that she had leukaemia.”

Igasp.

“Oh, no,” I whisper, my heart breaking forhim.

“I still remember the day her doctor told us about it,” he grits out before he takes a large gulp of his whiskey. His jaw clenches as his breath hitches. “He was so fucking cold—no sympathy in his voice, with empty eyes, his face blank. How the fuck can you be a doctor and act like that?” He raises his eyes at me, and all I can do is shake my head as cracks erupt in my heart. It’s breaking for him—for his mum—forRose.

“I don’tknow.”

He runs a hand through his hair as he sits up straighter before he leans forward in his seat, his hands wrapped tightly around the glass.

“Anyway,” he breathes, “she started treatment at once. The doctors did what they could, pumping her frail body full of medication. I can’t fault them, and the nurses, for that—they tried to kill the beast that consumed her, and, for a while, she got better. It was hard, no, it was agony seeing my little sister fighting so hard for her life. For months, we practically lived at that hospital, and she must’ve hated it. I know I did. But despite everything, Rose never lost her spirit. She was so fucking brave, even when she was in so much pain, sometimes crying until she fell asleep.”

I try to swallow the thickness in my throat as I wipe a lone tear from my cheek.

“When we met at the pub, I told you I don’t have any siblings.” His head falls down and I ache to touch him. “It’s because I don’t, not anymore. Rose died two yearsago.”

I gasp as a shudder runs through him and push up on my knees, shuffling to get closer to him. I place my glass on the rug and put my palms on his thighs, aching to offer him some comfort even though I don’t know how. His eyes are dry, but filled with sorrow. I wish I’d never asked him to share something so personal with me. It’s toosoon.

“I’m so sorry, Kristian,” I whisper. The words are beyond inadequate, but they’re the only ones that I can say without blubbering all overhim.

“Thanks.” He finishes the rest of the whiskey and then sits back, distancing himself from me. “At least I had the honour of being her big brother for a while.” He pushes up the sleeve of his T-shirt and bares his right upper arms to me. The most beautiful black and white rose covers most ofit.

“That’s why I had this inked on my skin—I know I’ll never forget her, but there’s more to it than that.” He wets his lips as I trail the petals with my index finger, along with the word Rose underneath it. “It feels like she’ll always be with me, wherever Igo.”

I nod as I keep my eyes on the tattoo.

“I understand,” I whisper. “I take it you designed this yourself?”

He nods, keeping silent, his head bent to watch me caressing hisskin.

“Thank you for telling me about her. For trusting me with such a big part of yourself.”

I wet my lips as I sit back on my haunches.

“Now I understand why you’re so good with Ailith, and I think…” I gulp as I try to gather my courage. My heart is hammering away in my chest as I think about how vulnerable I’m about to become.

Slowly, Kristian looks at me from underneath his eyelashes as he pushes the shirt back in place.

“What do you think, Laura?” he asks me, his voicelow.

I take another fortifying breath, my heart galloping in my chest.

“I think you’re very brave, Kristian.”

He snorts as sadness washes over hisface.

“It doesn’t have anything to do with bravery, Laura. I’ve been a fucking mess since Rose died. I had a relationship that I ruined, because I was solost.”

I quirk an eyebrow athim.