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CHAPTER TWELVE
Lauren
Lauren twisted theknob, the last drops of hot water dripping onto her head. She stepped from the shower and toweled off, the dull ache in her brain still pounding.That’s what I get for day drinking yesterday!After ramming her body into clean clothes, she stepped from the bathroom in a cloud of steam and tossed her pajamas into her suitcase before heading into the living room.
“Hey.” Lauren slouched into the empty seat beside Austin, snorting as her butt sank deep into the cushion.
“You have to tuck your feet underneath you.” His gaze whizzed across his laptop screen as his fingers tapped away at the keyboard.
“Okay...” Lauren rearranged her legs. “I guess that’s a little better.”
Austin smiled. “Hang on, I’ll be done in just a minute.”
Lauren nodded. “No rush.” Her gaze wandered around the apartment, taking in the plain white walls and the collection of mismatched furniture. The lace curtains rustled in the breeze, the bottoms frayed and fading yellow. Returning her gaze to Austin, Mavis clouded her brain and tugged at her heartstrings.Eight years... holed up and hidden away right here...Everything in the room carried her story, carried her heartbreak, carried her survival. A shiver ran down her spine as she eyed her brother.
Do you see her here too?
“Are you okay?” He snapped his laptop closed and set it on the floor beside his feet. Furrowing his brow, he turned to her.
“Are you? All you’ve done is work since I got here.”
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “You’re right. I’m sorry.” He nudged the laptop further away with his toes. “I’m done. I promise.”
She snorted. “You’re fine. I know you’ve got a list of shit to do.”
With a grin, he tapped her knee. “A list of shit for sure. But still, it’s no excuse. You came to visit and I’m being rude.”
Lauren shook her head, her gaze intent on the curtains dancing in the breeze. “Where’s Casey?”
“She has the lunch shift. She’ll be back around four, I think. Guess you’re stuck with me today.” He snorted and elbowed her in the side. “I’m not an expert tour guide like her, but I’m sure I can still find your Buckingham Fountain or whatever water park it was you wanted to visit.”
She giggled and shoved him back. “It’s not a water park, you idiot! And besides, I’d rather wait for Casey. I still have nightmares about your directionally challenged skills on the 405.”
Austin rolled his eyes, playfully tossing a throw pillow to her lap. “I was like sixteen.”
Her palm deflected the pillow as it tumbled to the floor. “Still. I’ll wait for Casey.”
“All right, fine, whatever... What do you want to do then? Just sit on the couch and stare at each other all day?”
“Not all day.” She shrugged. “But I do want to talk to you while we’re alone.” Lauren shifted, angling her body to face him.
His right eyebrow raised. “About?”
“You.” She nudged him with her feet. “How are you?”
Austin wrinkled his nose and frowned. “You’ve been here for like a full day. Haven’t we been over this already?”
“Come on, Austin.” Lauren folded her arms across her chest and glared. “I mean it. I want to know how you really are.”
“Are you my therapist now or something?”
“Haven’t I always been?” She grinned, flashing her perfect set of white teeth.
With a sigh, Austin dropped his hand to her foot and squeezed. “Lauren, I’m good. I really am. I told you, moving here was a good choice.”
