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I groan and run my hand through my messy hair. It’s a little greasy, and I need to wash it.
“I should probably say something. Since I’m just sitting here…” I trail off, then laugh at how stupid I’m being.
“Why is she back? Why is she trying to steal my friends? Was she always so vindictive, and I was just too wrapped up in her to see it? Was the sweet girl just an act?” I close my eyes as the first raindrops start to fall.
“I’d say that I wished she was the one in the ground and you were still here, but that’s a lie. Even the thought of her no longer living makes my heart throb and my knees weak. What kind of brother does that make me?”
“A shitty one,” I grumble, still talking to myself, then climb to my feet. The rain has picked up, and I'll be soaked if I don’t leave now.
“Even though deep down I still love Gracie, I love you more, Mia. You were my twin. The other part of me,” I whisper, then fix her flowers and run to my truck. My eyes fill, but I don’t let the tears fall. I have cried enough over the past few months.
Now it’s time for revenge.
* * *
I order a pizza,then go to find something to watch. The guys are either ignoring me or busy. I should just go out to dinner, but this rain is keeping my ass home. They weren't kidding about flooding. My driveway looks like a pond. But I guess that’s what happens when you live out in the middle of nowhere.
I had to pay my delivery guy extra just to come here. The widows rattle from the storm, and the lights flicker. I leave the den in search of some flashlights and candles, just in case.
This old house can get creepy as hell when you’re home alone. Mia used to joke that it was haunted. I’d laugh and call her crazy, but maybe she was right. I stop at her bedroom door and freeze. I haven’t been in there since the night my life went to shit.
I had to pull her away from her mirror and makeup so we wouldn’t be late for the party. But maybe if I had left her, she would still be here.
I know she has candles, but I’m not ready to face what haunts inside. I leave her room alone and walk down the hall to my parents’ room. Theirs is almost as dusty and preserved as I imagine Mia’s is.
I ignore the mess left behind the night my mother stormed out and trashed the place and enter the closet. There is a huge box of flashlights, still in the packaging, and some emergency supplies from our last snowstorm.
We were without power for a week, and it was one of the best times of my life. Gracie came to stay, and we hung out in my room the whole time, only leaving for snacks. I had never read so many books before, but she made it worth it.
Mia joined us a few times, and we played board games and attempted to read Tarot cards. But I’m pretty sure that was all bullshit since they said Gracie and I would live happily ever after and Mia would have a child.
I shake my head of the memories, grab the box, then high tail it the fuck out of there and back to the den. The doorbell rings, so I drop the stuff onto the couch and go get my pizza. The driver is drenched, and I feel like a dick. So I invite him in and get him a towel.
“Thanks,” he grunts, and I nod.
“Least I can do. Thanks for bringing my food,” I mutter, and he glances around the dark place.
“Yeah, no problem. I get it; when you’re home alone you don’t want to cook,” he says with a laugh, and I shake my head.
“Fuck that. I suck at cooking. I’d burn the house down.” He dries his hair, then hands me back the towel as I pay him and toss in an extra twenty.
“Drive safe,” I say as he bolts for his car, then slams the door. Bringing my pizza to the kitchen, I don’t bother with plates and dig in. It’s not like anyone is around to bitch at me.
After my third slice, my stomach tells me to stop. I guess it’ll be good for lunch tomorrow. Usually, the guys are here, and all we have left are crumbs. I check my phone and try Dom again, but it goes to voicemail. What the hell are they doing?
* * *
I’m dozingoff when my phone rings. I grab it, immediately answering, thinking it’s the guys. Shit. I should have looked first.
“Hey, baby. I’ve missed you,” Bianca coos, and I wince at the sound of her voice. I fucking hate baby talk. That was one thing I liked about Gracie. Even though we were young, she always treated me like I was a man.
“What’s up?” I don’t want to be on the phone all night.
“Wow, really, Ash? You have been gone for two weeks, and you can’t even make small talk?”I cut her off before she can start on a rant.
“Listen, B, I’m tired, and I’ve had a shit week, so if you don’t stop your whining and tell me what the fuck it is you want, I’m going to hang up.”
She huffs and mutters something under her breath,“I was calling about the Halloween party coming up. Did you forget that you were hosting? Do you need any help getting things set up? The girls and I can come by and…”
