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“Would you like anything to drink?” Zahra pops her head into the fridge.
“Water is good.”
She pours me a glass before making one for herself.
“So, would anyone like to tell me why I’m being held emotionally hostage here?”
Rowan looks over at Zahra and she only grins. “I lied when I said I had something to tell you. I was only hoping to stall you for as long as it took until Rowan got back so you both could talk this out, once and for all.”
Rowan shakes his head as he looks up at the ceiling. “You’re a pain in my ass.”
“I know, but you love me for it.” She kisses his cheek before disappearing up the stairs.
“She’s smart.”
“She’s a meddler is what she is. She hates when we fight, especially when it’s over my choice to stay here.”
“You told her about earlier?”
“I tell hereverything.”
I take a sip of my water. “Interesting.” Safe to say Zahra probably thinks I’m the biggest asshole around.
He grabs a glass and fills it to the top with water. “How did the walkthrough go?”
“Why are you asking?”
“Because I care.”
“Even after I lashed out at you?”
He sighs. “Love isn’t conditional. I know Father made us believe that, but just because I get angry at you and vice versa doesn’t mean I don’t love you or care about you. Even if you do act like an idiot most of the time.”
“Who knew Dreamland would turn you into such a sappy fuck?”
“Dreamland and the people in it.” He smiles in a genuine way that reaches his eyes, and I can’t remember the last time I have ever seen him look this happy. Maybe never.
No one can control falling in love, and he happened to find it in the last place I expected. It’s time I accepted it and moved on for both our sakes. I’ve been punishing him for seeking out what makes him feel fulfilled, all because I felt like he betrayed me. I held on to the idea of him abandoning me like everyone else to manage my father and all the expectations that come with the company. Rather than support him, I held his happiness against him just like my father did countlessly throughout our lives.
You’re no better than him.
It is a sour feeling to realize the man I have spent my whole life resenting is the one I am slowly becoming.
It’s not too late to start making better decisions.
My mouth feels dry no matter how much water I drink. “I’ve made some mistakes.”
Rowan blinks but stays quiet.
“I’ve said things I’m not proud of. Made threats, talked down to you, pushed you away because you made a decision I didn’t like. As your big brother, I’m supposed to set the example. Be the bigger person. Make the best choices. Stay strong no matter how much I’m being beaten down. Except all I’ve done is show you what not to do. Instead of letting you become your own person, I was trying to shove you back into a mold you didn’t fit into anymore. It was selfish of me, and I’m sorry.”
“Wow.” He blinks.
There isn’t much else I need to say. From now on, I plan on being better. The end.
I stand. “I better get going.”
Rowan grabs a set of keys from a bowl on the counter. “Let me drive you to the airport.”
