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Chapter 7
Remy
Remy pulled out a fresh batch of chocolate muffins out of the oven before carefully placing them on a cooling rack. She loved the smell of the bakery after hours. The aromas of sugared frostings, pastries, and baked goods melded together with coffee. Coziness and comfort. It reminded her of so many afternoons spent baking with her father in her parents’ kitchen.
Daddy was the baker and her momma was the decorator, showing Remy what it meant to work together as a team. Her parents were best friends. She wanted that for herself someday. She had always fantasized that it would be Mikel, but never in a million years had she expected him to actually desire her.
She’d heard her brother talk. But as far as she knew, Mikel had never had a girlfriend before. Was she his first?
Emma sat across from her, piping white cream cheese frosting onto carrot cupcakes. “Why the long face?”
Remy sighed, slipping her phone out to check it one more time before returning it to her pocket.
“I texted Mikel after he dropped me off to make plans and he hasn’t messaged me back all day.”
“You think Andre scared him?” she asked, swiping a stray strand of blond hair behind her ear.
“I don’t think so. I mean, they’re best friends. He wouldn’t do that. Would he?”
Emma gave her an incredulous expression. “He’s your older brother, Rem. When have you not known him to be protective of you?”
Remy sighed. “Crap.”
“You two make quite the couple,” Emma said.
“How so?”
She set the piping bag down before reaching for the orange sprinkles. “He’s the dark and mysterious type, a broody bad boy through and through, and you’re … well, you’re you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Remy crossed her arms over her chest.
“You never lie. You’ve never cheated on a test. You don’t even go above the speed limit. You’re a rule follower. I’m just observing how opposite you guys are.”
“He’s more than just what you see on the outside. He has this whole other part to him that’s sensitive and intelligent. We can talk for hours without running out of things to say.” Remy came to his defense.
“Oh, shit, girl.” Emma looked at her sympathetically.
“What?”
“You reeeeaaally like him. Do you, like, love—love him?” Emma asked.
Remy rolled her eyes, and let out a cleansing breath. “It started as a friendship and then a crush, or puppy love, as my momma calls it. I’ve always loved him in some capacity. He’s been a part of my family since we were kids.”
“Just be careful, Remy. I’ve heard the rumors. I know the Evans family have been through a lot. People don’t just get over their mother killing herself in their basement and then their father overdosing. That shit stays with you for life,” Emma warned.
“That’s not fair. His past doesn’t dictate his future.”
Mikel had been changing his shirt at their house when Remy walked in on him. He was only fourteen, and she nine. He was staring into the mirror, a finger pressing into one of the large black bruises covering his ribs as he winced. He startled, noticing her, dropping his shirt to hide the evidence.
“What happened?” she asked, tears burning her eyes.
He stared at the floor. “I fell down the stairs.”
The Evanses always had excuses of clumsiness, but she knew deep down what was going on. She shook her head. “You should tell someone. My dad could help protect you,” she offered.
Mikel locked those dark brown eyes on her as his expression softened. “Remy, I just fell. That’s it. I need you to make me a promise. Will you do that for me?”
She would have done anything to make him feel just a little better. She nodded, sniffling.
