Page 24

His voice was so innocent, my heart did a painful flip inside my chest. I was supposed to know him, he was convinced I did.

“She doesn’t,” replied Vaughan. “Remember I told you she hurt her head in the accident?”

Daniel looked crestfallen at this news, and again, my heart lurched for him.

“Do you know who I am?” asked Daniel.

I opened my mouth to respond, but what was there to say? I couldn’t lie to him, that would be worse.

He stepped away from me, and his sadness was so palpable it knocked me off-kilter. He stopped beside Vaughan, keeping his eyes downcast. I was unsure if anything I said would make him feel better, and rather than lament on the contrition I felt, I remembered why I came.

“Is Jackson here?”

Vaughan disappeared into the living room, Daniel followed, and a moment later Jackson met me in the foyer. The sight of him had my indignation burning hot again. I scowled, but he didn’t seem all that surprised to see me.

“How could you?” I snapped. I stepped forward, and shoved him as hard as my small frame allowed. He stumbled, only slightly.

“Has nothing to do with you, Squirt.”

How he could possibly believe that only proves how stupid he is.

“Maybe not,” I admitted. “But it becomes my business when I have to watch my best friend cry herself to fucking sleep.” That grabbed his attention. “It becomes my business when it’s not just any guy who broke my best friends heart, but actually my brother.” Jackson opened his mouth, but I lifted my hand to shut him up. “I may not remember what happened last year, but I know Maddy loves you, and as of right now, you no longer deserve it. You’re a coward, and you should be ashamed. Dad didn’t raise you that way.” I inhaled so that I could deliver the only thing that would make him realize how bad he’d screwed up. “And Mom didn’t either. You promised her you’d take care of me and Maddy, because she’s a part of our family, and you’ve let her down. You’ve let me down too.”

Jackson looked at me as if I’d slapped him across the face, his eyes filled with hurt and maybe a little disbelief. I’d never spoken to him that way before. The sense of pride I felt for myself, and for Maddy, outweighs the guilt I should’ve felt but really didn’t. Jackson shouldn’t have treated Maddy the way he did, and if he chose to believe that she’d moved on then he’s an even bigger fool than I thought. The only reason Maddy went on all those Godawful dates was to take her mind off Jackson, but I was positive her attempts were thwarted. She wanted my brother, and he fucking blew it.