AllFreeNovel
Share Us
As much of a nice change in pace it is to see my sister floundering amongst the crowd of people demanding her attention, I can’t help but feel a resigned sort of acceptance and fearlessness as I cut into her conversation with some old couple going on and on about their prize-winning show dog.
“Excuse me. I’m going to have to steal her for a bit.” Grabbing her by the shoulders, I spin us around and steer us for the first doors I see, leading us out into the hall.
Izzy all but collapses with relief, and I chuckle quietly, running my hands through my hair. The slicked back look lasted for maybe half the show, if that.
“Thanks for the save,” Izzy says.
I slide her a knowing look. “You looked like you were drowning. It was getting painful to watch.”
She shudders, shaking her head. “So painful. I love dogs, don’t get me wrong, but I really don’t give a fuck about how many medals little Fido has won for shitting gold.”
I hold up a finger, repressing a laugh, and say, “It’s Brantley, and he shits diamonds, not gold.”
She snorts at that, and I lose my composure right along with her, dipping my head, and hiding a smile behind my hair.
I reach for her hand, nudging her side. “Come on, let’s get some air.”
“Mom and Dad?” she says, swinging our joined hands between us, just like we’d do when we were kids.
“Told them we needed a bathroom break.”
She snickers at that. It’s been a running joke since we were kids—after Waylon asked if being twins meant we have to go to the bathroom at the same time—and as we got older, it sort of became a code for when we needed to get each other out of an awkward situation. And by that, I mean it’s usually Izzy saving me at a family get together, or a school function—back when I had no choice but to go—and whisking me away before I can spiral into a panic attack.
The role reversal is nice. Not gonna lie.
Izzy spins around, not letting go of my hand as she all but skips backward. She’s laughing, and I’m groaning up at the ceiling, all but stumbling after her. But then I’m laughing too. It’s hard not to, even with my earlier revelation nipping right at the heels of the lightheartedness of this moment.
Don’t think about that tonight.
Tonight’s about celebrating.
It’s about my sister.
It’s about the fact that there is no way in hell that she didn’t secure herself a spot after that performance of a lifetime. People were chomping at the bit to introduce themselves to her. And again, I wondered, who’s wooing who here?
So all my heartache—all my bitterness and unrequited longing…
It’s been shoved to the backburner.
Because at the end of the day, it’s Izzy and me versus the world. And despite this ever-present rift between us—one I know she is still blessedly ignorant to—I love my sister.
I want her to get everything she ever wanted.
And I have to believe, out there, somewhere, there’s someone for me too. Someone who will love me the way Mason loves her. Someone I can give my heart to, fully and wholly and without shame, free of the secrets that keep it currently chained.
Someone just for me.
And these years spent pining for someone I shouldn’t will be nothing but a memory. Something to look back on and joke about at family get-togethers, when we’re both married and happier than ever.
Izzy teeters on her heels, and I strengthen my hold on her, tugging her toward me before she can go flying backward.
We’re still moving, still laughing, inches from each other’s faces.
And then a shadow eclipses my periphery, just as someone comes around the corner where the hallway Ts off.
My eyes widen, and I go to halt our steps—say something—but it’s too late.
Izzy grunts. Or maybe it’s the man. Maybe it’s both of them.
