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“And what about me?”
He just stares for a moment, contemplating before giving his response, careful. But before he can answer, we hear something snap off in the distance, like wood snapping, and our moment is instantly gone as Danny shouts, coming around the bar. “You boys break anything, and I’ll kick your asses.”
I suck in my bottom lip to suppress the giggle at this new family I have fallen into.
CHAPTER 24
MIA
Ituck my legs underneath me, dressed in a pair of grey sweats and a red Harvard sweatshirt, a bag of potato chips in front of me as I try to decide what to watch tonight while Riley works downstairs. But my mind is not focused on either Freddy or Jason tonight. Maybe I could go with Stephen King! No, I already know that won’t work. I'm too focused on the game Hunter has coming up tomorrow night. It's a home game, and I don't want to miss it, but I also know I would need to talk to him about what's going on with him lately. The thought makes me sick with worry as I think about sitting in the stands alone, uncertainty lingering within me until I can talk to my brother.
I had never taken another person to a game with me before, always being my brother's cheering squad in the stands, so why does the idea of being alone make me nervous? Could it be because I don’t know what is going on? Could it be that I fear it is me causing what is happening to my brother? I should be brave and go face what is going on like a big girl, but before I can stop myself, I reach for my phone and quickly write out a text to Riley, knowing he probably won’t answer it straight away.
Me:Hi.
I hit send,and it starts to sink in what I have done. I furrow my brow, wondering why, out of everyone, I texted Riley.
He’s cool and I can talk to him, which is more than I can say for any other guy.
Pursing my lips, I pick my phone up and stare at my lock screen, a picture of my brother, Ava, and I from a few years ago all smiling at the camera with our arms around each other’s shoulders, not a care in the world, when Riley’s reply comes through, blinking up at me.
Riley:Hey, what’s up?
Me: Nothing, just curled up on the couch in sweats, trying to decide on which horror movie to watch tonight.
Riley: Hot ;P
His response makes me pause,butterflies fluttering in my stomach, and a smile appears on my lips as my fingers dance over the keys.
Me:You have a weird definition of what hot is, but okay. How is it tonight?
Riley: Not as crazy tonight.
Me: You working tomorrow night, right?
Riley: No, but I’ll be working most of next week.
Silence lingersas I think of what to say, when another response comes through.
Riley:Why? What’s happening tomorrow night?
My hand freezes again,my brain screaming just to do it, ask him. It’s not like it’s a date. What the hell is it about this guy that makes me like this?! I don't like it, but it makes me curious, which is why I hold my breath and force my fingers to move.
Me:My brother has a home football game tomorrow night. I always go, but I thought, if you wanted to, you could come with. It would be nice to have a friend with me to talk to.
I addin that last sentence in case he thought it was a date, and yet it was the hardest line to write.
He doesn't reply as quickly as he had previously. I stare at the phone, holding my breath as I wait for what feels like hours, but is merely a couple of minutes, when he finally replies.
Riley:Sound like fun. What time do we need to leave?
I stareat the phone in shock, excited that he actually said yes and hating myself for getting excited. I bite my lip to hold some of my smile back as I text him the time. I always like to get there earlier to see my brother before he plays, to wish him luck because luck from your twin is the strongest in the world.
I let out a breath when Riley tells me that he’ll talk to me when he gets home, as work is starting to pick back up. I say goodbye and slump against the couch and happily selectA Nightmare on Elm Street: Dream Warriors,one of my favorites.
Finally,the weekend is here!
Luckily tonight I am free, but Danny warned me that we may have a crazy night tomorrow night, so I’ll need to be ready for that. But for now, it is time to be there for my brother and get some answers.
