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“No. It’s fine. I’m a big girl, Brandon. I can deal with it if anyone tries me.”
Every fiber of my existence lights up as another smile makes an appearance. “Brave little artist.”
I purse my lips and roll my eyes. “Stop calling me that.”
“No.” His expression turns playful. I haven’t witnessed this side of him in school or around anyone else. It’s like the mask is off for me.
Brandon glances at my dresser again.
I follow his gaze, realizing he’s staring at the family photo.
“How much older is your sister?” he questions. “Where is she?”
“Two years. She was fifteen in that photo.”
“Is she at college?” he presses.
My shoulders slump as I tell him, “No. Doreen died four years ago.” The words carry the weight of a ton of bricks. Why is it that with him, I don’t have the strength to suppress anything?
I’m attacked by a sudden chill the moment I turn my head, and our eyes connect.
“Four years…” Brandon repeats in a murmur, pain morphing his features.
My heart hurts for him, and I don’t even understand why. But it seems something happened in his life around that time as well.
“Hey—” The sound of the front door stops me from digging.
My body stiffens in panic.
“Why’s the light on? Kayla bug, you here?” Dad calls out.
“Kayla bug,” Brandon teases in a whisper.
“Shh.” I straighten from the chair and yell back to Dad, “Just got home! I’m changing!” Then I shut the door and whisper to Brandon, “You need to go out the window. If my dad catches you, he’ll chop youinto pieces.”
“Geez.” He draws air through his teeth and straightens.
I’m about to grip his arm to move him along, but he puts his hand up before me. “Don’t.”
“Right. Sorry, I forgot.” I splay my hands. “Please hurry.” I shoo him to the window. “It’s one level, so you’ll survive.”
Footsteps in the hallway make me even more nervous.
“Party wasn’t fun? Let’s catch up on that series,” Dad says. I hear his room door open.
“Okay!” I turn to Brandon and lift the window for him. “Go.”
“I’m going,” he mumbles, proceeding to climb out.
Once he’s outside, I utter in a kind tone, “Drive home safely.”
Brandon flashes a genuine smile that snatches the air from my lungs. His handsome face is visible in the faint outdoor light of my house, and I almost want to stick my head out and kiss his cheek.
“See you in school, little artist.” He slants to leave but stops in an afterthought and peers back. “Thanks for talking to me.”
That sounds sincere, and it makes me smile in return.
I watch until he disappears into the shadows before releasing the breath I didn’t realize I was holding.
Despite coming off arrogant, and with everything Sam told me, I believe there’s more to Brandon Decker than meets the eye—something underneath his guarded exterior. I’m curious about the monster he referred to, and how it ended up inside him.
