AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Should we call an ambulance?” Mitchell asks. “He seems fine, but—”
“He should be seen by someone,” Lana agrees. “I’ll call the doctor.”
“Brian,” Mitchell says, grabbing his phone. “I’ll call Brian. He’ll make a house call for us.”
Mitchell turns away, talking into his phone while Lana inspects every inch of Brady.
“Mama, I’m okay,” Brady finally says, squirming away from her. He’s not used to getting the full force of everyone’s attention at once. As a twin, he’s used to always sharing the spotlight. And based on the way Lily is bouncing around in the back, her voice getting higher and higher, she’s not used to getting none at all.
There’s so much happening that I don’t immediately notice when Kirill slips away. But once I realize he’s gone, I look towards the house and see him leading Ilya inside.
Ilya did great with Lily and Brady earlier, but today is not the day to press our luck. I think I used up a lifetime supply of it when Kirill was able to find Brady in the water.
I’m fine with that. It was well worth it.
I assume Kirill will stay inside with Ilya, but a few minutes later, he reappears. He’s pulled on a t-shirt, which I somehow have the energy to feel disappointed about.
“Mitchell,” Lana calls, pulling my attention, “strap the kids into the car. I’ll be right there.”
Mitchell grumbles, but Lana ignores him. When she turns to me, I understand why.
Lana has been nothing but full of concern for Brady since she sprinted onto the beach. But now, there is fury in her eyes.
As soon as the kids and Mitchell are out of earshot, Lana lays in. “What the hell were you doing when he went into the water?”
“I didn’t even see—”
“His lifejacket was under a pile of supplies. Bone dry. He never even had it on.”
“I hadn’t put them on yet,” I explain. “We’d just gotten here and they were looking for shells. I was going to make sure they were in them before we went swimming, but—”
“But Brady went swimming without one and nearly died. Do you understand that, Rayne?” Lana hisses. “Mysonalmostdiedbecause you weren’t paying attention to him.”
I want to argue and defend myself, but she’s right. Lana is completely right.
“I know,” I whisper. “I’m so… I’m so sorry.”
“What?” she snaps. “I can’t hear what you’re saying. You’re mumbling.”
My face is hot. Shame is coiling around my stomach. But I lift my face and stare into my sister’s eyes. “I’m sorry, Lana. I told you I’d take care of the kids, but I didn’t. I was distracted and I let them play by themselves. I should have been watching them closer. Next time, I’ll—”
“Next time?” she spits. “What makes you think there will be a next time?”
I blink, stunned. “I made a mistake, but I’ll never make it again. I swear.”
“I’m not going to risk my children’s lives so you can try and redeem yourself. This isn’t some video game. My kids don’t regenerate, you know.”
“I know that. Of course I do,” I tell her. “I love those kids more than my own life. I’d do anything for them.”
“Except take your eyes off your boyfriend long enough to make sure Brady doesn’t sink to the bottom of the ocean.”
The imagery lands like a physical blow, snatching my breath right out of my chest. It makes it hard to focus on what else Lana said.
“Who are you—I don’t have a boyfriend. It was just me here with the—”
“I saw that guy,” Lana says, flinging an arm over her shoulder. “It’s not hard to understand why you were distracted. Lily said you were talking to a man.”
“Oh. Oh, no. That wasn’t my—That was my boss,” I fumble. “This is his house. We came here to swim. But I didn’t know he would be here.”
