Page 77 of Falcon

I scrub my hand over my face and pull the chair out from the small desk on the other side of the room. I drop down to have a seat before finally speaking, “Well, I have to go because...Faith is coming with me. Problem solved.”

For the first time in my entire life, since the day she was born, my sister is silent. Completely silent. She’s not even moving. She’s just staring at me.

“Say something...” I urge.

She blinks twice. “I’m processing.”

“There isn’t much to process.”

“Um, you just dropped a bomb that my neighbor is moving to California with you. My neighbor who you barely know and who barely knows you.”

“Whoa, she’s not moving with me. It’s not like that. She’s just taking a vacation and coming with me on the road.”

“I’m...wow.”

“You sound shocked.”

“Well, yeah, I am shocked. Faith doesn’t do things like that. Faith is really routine-based. She is a fun girl, but she stays the course more than she veers off of it.”

“Have you ever stopped to think that maybe you don’t really know her?” I say. I don’t mean to sound as defensive as I do, but it’s the tone I feel right now.

“I know what her past has been like. I know she has tried to live her life as best she could, but I also know the type of life you live, Marco. The belt riders making their presence known, the few asshole fighters who don’t know when to stop, the fans, the chaos, the media, the cameras. I just want her to know that’s what she’s getting into, and I just...worry about her. That’s all.”

“Do you really think I won’t shield her from that shit? Christ, Nora, you act like I’m an asshole.”

“No, I don’t think you’re an asshole at all. I just know she’s been through a lot. She has told me what happened to her. We’ve lain together and talked about everything and nothing. I won’t let anything happen to her.”

“She’s a grown woman. If she wants to come with me, she can. I don’t know what this is with her, Sis, but I know I’m not ready to say goodbye to her yet.” I shrug my shoulders. “When she agreed to come with me, my stomach flipped upside down. I haven’t felt that way before. Ever. Maybe I’m a selfish fuck for wanting to drag her across the country because I want more time with her, but I don’t regret asking her, and I’m fucking stoked she said yes.”

My sister places my hoodie on the bed beside her and stands. She piles her hair in a quick messy bun, so quick, in fact, I’m not even sure how girls do it. It must be a special course in high school, or something, because it’s an impressive skill.

“Marco,” she sighs, “I’m happy you have that feeling. It’s one I hope everyone gets to feel, but I need you to promise me you’ll watch out for her. She’s like a sister to Case, and when he finds out, he’s going to demand the same. Just as you would for me.”

“She’s going to be fine. It’s California. Not a war zone.”

She scoffs. “I’ve met those bimbos who hang around the fights. It may as well be one.”

I can’t help but laugh. “Ah, they are harmless. All talk.”

“And no bite?” she asks.

“Oh no, they absolutely bite.” I smirk and she swats me across the arm. “Ouch! Easy with that. Damn.” I rub my arm to ease the sting of the slap.

“You deserved it.” She sticks her tongue out at me. “Seriously though, I hate this, but at least Faith is going with...so she can be my spy and make sure you’re doing the stuff you’re supposed to be doing and not putting yourself in a bad place.”

“Don’t involve her in that shit, Nor. The last thing she needs is to be stressed out about me. She is going on this trip with me to take a break and have some fun. I know you’ll agree if anyone deserves that, it’s her.”

She releases a heavy sigh. “You’re right. You’re right, I’m sorry. I guess I’m just sad you’re leaving and it’s showing its face in everything else.”

“I’m not exactly used to you being all the way across the country either, but at the end of the day, I know you’re happy...and I also know if Mr. Police Man down there does anything to hurt you, I’ll march my way back here and stick his head up his ass.”

“That sounds impossible and impressive. If you can do that, I’ll gladly let you,” a voice calls from the doorway behind us, and we both turn to see Case standing there with his arms over his chest, leaning against the doorframe.

“So he eavesdrops too?” I ask Nora. “A real catch.”

“Wow, could you be more of an asshole?” she says with an eye roll, as she goes to give him a kiss.

I like Case, I do, but it’s my brotherly duty to give him some shit now and again. But at the end of the day, I see how he looks at my sister, and I know she’s in good hands.

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