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Harrick and Eddie meet me at the top of the stairs. Empty-handed.
"No more boxes?" I ask.
"Oh, there's plenty more," Eddie responds with a smile. "But I heard from a very reliable and incredibly attractive source that if I don't feed you every three hours, I may not make it through the day alive."
"Thanks for ratting me out." I grin at my brother. "What's your boyfriend going to think of me?"
"Only good things," Eddie assures me with a laugh. "Now come on. We've worked up an appetite, too. You like pancakes, Branum?"
My eyes light up. "Do I ever!"
* * *
Fifteen minutes later, the three of us are scoffing down what, for me, will be the first of at least three plates of pancakes at the Pancake Pantry. We came before the lunchtime rush so managed to score a corner booth.
"Eddie's received an offer on his father's house," Harrick tells me, glazing his pancakes in maple syrup. "That's why we're in such a rush to get everything out."
"That's great news," I say to Eddie. "You gonna take it?"
"Yeah. I think I will." He stops eating. "It's bringing up a whole bunch of emotions, being back there."
He turns to my brother, and Eddie's eyes start to well. I look over at Harrick, and damn,hiseyes are turning glassy, too.
Man, this love thing is intense. Especially with their history.
I let them have their moment while I excuse myself and head back to the counter to order another plate of pancakes, this time chocolate. When I return, they're back to normal, but they're sitting closer to each other.
"Heard you were at the library yesterday," Harrick says with a shit-eating grin. "Gotta say, I was surprised… Didn't think you could read."
I flip him off and laugh.
Brotherly banter, even if he has no idea how close to the truth his words are.
No one does.
I've managed to hide it all my life. But when I was at the library yesterday, I noticed there was a group of young kids being read to.
I'd like to be able to do that myself one day.
Read.
Properly, that is.
I get by, barely. I don't want to break a sweat every time I open a freaking letter or come across a sign. Thankfully, I've got a secretary who takes care of all my comms for me, and like I said, I can read basic things, but it's not enough.
It's embarrassing to admit, but I'm lost.
I don't want to be lost anymore.
Harrick snaps his fingers in front of my face. "Earth to Branum."
"Sorry. Must've spaced out there for a moment."
"So, the library?" he picks up. "Why were you there? Did you need to take a piss or something?"
"No. I…"
My second plate arrives. "Thanks, Mrs. K."
