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Now, I’d give anything to taste one of his creations, even if it made me sick.
I miss when we were together, complaining about his weird food and arguing about whether pineapple belongs on pizza—it does, obviously. I can’t cook like my dad, and I don’t expect my mom to do it when she spends all day giving art lessons. So, after my meeting with Jewel, I grab a pizza and text everyone to meet me for dinner.
When the clock strikes six, Luke is in the kitchen.
Only Luke is there.
I set the pizza box down on the table and put my hands on my hips. “Where did everyone go?”
He smiles sadly. “Mom was here, but she got a call from a client she had to take. She should be back.”
“Great. Just great.” I huff, blowing my bangs out of my face.
Phones weren’t even allowed at family dinner back in the day. When did the rules change? I guess dinner hasn’t technically started, but now she’s late, and I won’t forgive so easily.
“What about Leo?” I ask.
“I don’t know.” His brow furrows. “He’ll be here. I’m sure.”
I’ve barely seen Leo around since we moved in. He sleeps late into the day and stays out all night. He and I have always had that in common—partying, being night owls—but it pushes us apart rather than bringing us together.
Especially now.
“I hate this.” I sink into a stiff kitchen chair and hang my head in my hands.
One of the cupboards opens and shuts—the stupid house, as if she’s agreeing with me. At least, I like to think she is.
“Hey…” Luke rests a hand on my back. “It’s not so bad. We get to spend more time together here.”
“It’s not the same.” I press my cheek onto the cool wood and stare up at my baby brother. “I miss having a whole family. I know Leo does too. That’s why he doesn’t bother showing up. And Mom… this is probably hard for Mom.”
“Probably.”
“Maybe I’m the asshole. Trying to force things?”
“You’re not. At least you’re trying. It’s hard to try—I think that’s the part the rest of us are struggling with, you know?”
“Mmm… the hardest.” I sit up and ruffle his hair. “You always know just what to say, don’t you?”
“I usually feel like I’m saying the wrong thing, but I’m trying.” He chuckles and shakes his head.
Sometimes Luke feels more like my big brother than my baby brother. He’s wise and protective, even if I’ve always equally protected him. And Leo… Leo is wild through and through. Never the typical big brother type.
I don’t really know where Leo fits into my new life, into this new town, and maybe that’s something he’s struggling with. But I can’t know, because he won’t talk to me.
As I blink away tears, the house wails, and a shiver runs up my spine. “God,” I mutter. “I hate when she does that.”
Luke takes a step away, cocking his head. “Does what?”
“You—you didn’t hear that?”
He shakes his head.
“The house,” I say for clarity. “The crying, and the laughter… anything?”
“I’ve never heard anything like that,” he says slowly, pressing his hand to my forehead. “The doors rattling and floorboards disappearing, sure, but I haven’t heard any… voices? Is that what you’re hearing?”
Great. My little brother thinks I’m having auditory hallucinations. Just what he needs, another family member to worry about.
