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But Conner heaves a long sigh. “I know Tess isn’t your favorite person but let it go. We’re all adults now. She’s a lot cooler than you give her credit for.”
I’d forgotten that Tess and Conner are friends. Now that I think of it, she’s probably friendly with Gage too, since he’s married to her best friend. I’m the only dickhead around who’s still known for giving her shit.
And I know just how cool she can be when she wants to. I know a lot more than Conner does.
But that’s one fact I won’t be sharing. Not only would he likely disapprove of how I fucked the dirty daylights out of his little friend, but I’d be breaking a promise to Tess.
Last night is between us. Unless Tess decides otherwise, it’ll stay that way.
I’m saved from replying to Conner when my phone buzzes. Thinking it might be Gage with some fast news on the earlier topic of interest, I whip it out of my pocket.
The message isn’t from Gage.
“Why are you smiling?” Conner says. “It’s freaking me out.”
“Charlotte.” I stare down at the text sent by my little sister. “Matilda finally caved and let her get a puppy.”
“Matilda’s allowing a dog in the house?” He lets out a low whistle. “That’s got to be the shock of the week.”
Ha!I can think of a much bigger shock.
But I say nothing and tap out a reply to Charlotte. “Henley’s got more influence lately.”
My stepfather is the one who argued that Charlotte should have a phone so she could contact me whenever she wants. Last year’s events were gruesome for us all but Charlotte’s just a kid. It crushes me to think about what it does to her, being raised in our crazy family. At least when I was growing up Gage and Conner had my back at all times.
Conner rises from the sofa and smacks his hands together. “Let’s go eat and take a drive to West Emerald.”
I hesitate. It’s just always my first instinct when it comes to West Emerald.
Conner watches me. “It would make the kid happy. It would make Cecile happy. We could even drop in on the newlyweds.”
He’s right. My grandmother isn’t one to fuss but I know Cecile is always pleased when her grandsons stop by. And Charlotte is my biggest fan, even though I’ve done nothing to earn such devotion. I’m trying to be a good big brother for her.
It wouldn’t kill me to try a little harder.
“Yeah, all right.”
He nods. “We’ll take my truck. Your car is shit.”
I know my car is shit. I like shit.
He’s wandering toward the bathroom. “Drank too much Gatorade on my way over here. Be right back.”
While he’s gone I remember that my sketchbook was left out on the balcony last night. I dropped it the instant Tess pulled her clothes off and gave me a naughty smile that’s still doing things to me today.
The pages are flapping in the light breeze and there’s some dirt on the edges of the paper. My sweatshirt is still lying in a puddle where Tess dropped it and I pick that up too. The pencil I was using must have rolled off and hit the ground because it’s nowhere in sight. When Tess found me out here I was drawing trees.
Trees with hollow-eyed skulls instead of leaves.
It’s just what was in my head at the time. But whenever I think of the woods that’s what I see.
My father was murdered at a cabin in the woods. We were on a fishing trip, just the two of us. The weekend getaway was supposed to be his apology for working so much. I woke up to the sound of a crash, and then my father’s voice screamed my name…
“Hey.” Conner shakes me out of my bad memories.
I turn around and blink.
“You ready to go?” He’s wearing a grin of mischief. And there’s a hair clip awkwardly clinging to his dark blond hair.
