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In this moment, I completely forget about Dax.
“That’s amazing, Kierst,” I say and truly mean it. “I had…no idea.”
She shrugs, not looking at me. “Yeah, well…I have a marketing degree I’ve never actually used. I’m pretty smart. I’ve got some great ideas. But no one ever thinks that about me because I’ve spent the last fifteen years giving everything I have to everyone else—and I’m tired. I want, for once, to have something for me. And I think I’d be damn good at this.”
I showed up on her doorstep to tell her how I ruined Dax’s life. To detail out how my actions caused a ripple that got out of control. Because that is what I do.
I expected her to listen. To calm me down. To tell me exactly what I should do next, then tease me about it later. Because that is what she does.
It’s how we’ve always worked.
But all along, I assumed she didn’t mind.
“How long have you been thinking about starting a business?”
Kierst keeps her eyes on the busy weekday morning traffic. “For a while. But I decided to get off my ass and actually do something about it when Aunt Livi forced me to go to that weekend yoga retreat last fall. There was a part where we went around in a circle and had to talk about our hopes and dreams, and I realized that all of mine were for you and my kids. None were about me. And I decided I was going to do something about it.”
I remember that retreat. It happened in my timeline as well. And when Kiersten came home, she was weird for a week and a half. I chalked it up to too much time with Aunt Livi. But now, I suspect the Kiersten in my timeline might be feeling the same way.
And I’ve been completely oblivious.
This time I can’t even blame a glitch in the universe. I was too wrapped up in my drama with Stuart, my job, and my problems to even realize what my sister was going through.
We pull up in front of the doughnut shop, and Kierst gives herself one last look in the overhead mirror.
“Okay, spill it. Do you want to talk about the fire or your feelings? I have six minutes.”
I shake my head, still rethinking everything. “You take them to prep. I think I’m gonna try this thing where I attempt to figure out my problems before I come crying to you.”
Kierst eyes me as if she’s waiting for ahaor abutor any other indication that I’m not completely serious. When it doesn’t come, her eyes soften, and she reaches over the center console to squeeze my hand.
“I’m always going to be here for you, Gems.”
I squeeze back. “And I’m gonna work on sending some of that support your way, starting now.” I rub a tiny smudge of black mascara from her cheek. “You’re going to be great. You were meant to do this.”
She takes one last look in the mirror, then snaps it back in place. “You’re right. I was. And whatever got into you just now, I think I like it.”
I think I like it too.
She unbuckles her seatbelt and opens her door.
“Hey, Kierst,” I call after her. “You’re the GOAT.”
She turns around and gives a sharp nod. “Fuck yeah I am.”
Chapter 25
“So, what doyou think? Home sweet home.”
I set the last of Dax’s boxes onto the concrete floor of Dougie and Brandon’s basement. We spent the afternoon packing up Dax’s apartment. Although I tried to keep up the optimism and perpetuate the lie that he’s moving on to bigger and better, there’s been a mournful energy to the day so far.
It doesn’t help that Dougie and Brandon’s basement isn’t exactly an ideal bachelor pad. I secretly swear to myself to never, ever complain about my own murder basement ever again.
Where mine is fully finished with painted drywall and faux-hardwood floors, Dax’s new place is a true basement, complete with cinderblock walls, exposed support beams, and the entirety of Frank’s extended family.
“It’s not glamorous, I know. But the guys are letting me stay here for free until I get on my feet. I’ll have my own place again soon, I promise.”
“I don’t doubt that for a second.” I wrap my arms around his neck, hating the look he’s giving me right now. “This place has that rustic industrial vibe that’s totally in right now. The lowlighting gives you a broody look that I find very attractive. This place has all the makings of a sex cave.”
