Page 75 of Fault Line

“Exactly.” She draws out the word, overenunciating the consonants, and it grates on my fucking brain. “And things didn’t work out with us for a reason.”

“Didn’tyoudump both of them?”

“Yeah, because football was always going to be more important than our relationship.”

I blow out a heated breath and set my pen down, running a few strands of hair through my fingers. “Well, Holden and I both have our own stuff going on. Different hobbies and interests. It doesn’t bother me that hockey’s practically his life.”

“You may say that now, but just keep in mind that things can change after college.”

“Thanks for the advice,” I say, allowing my bitterness to seep through. “We just started dating, though. I don’t think I need to worry about this right now.”

“Just keep an open mind, Kai. You know I’ve already been there.”

“It sounds like you’re the one who’s not keeping an open mind,” I mumble under my breath.

“Sorry, what was that?”

“Nothing.” I pick at my split ends, tossing the little pieces of hair into my trash can. “Why don’t you just text me your plans for the weekend, and I’ll come up with a schedule to work around it?”

“Sounds good. Oh, and Kai?” she adds before hanging up. “I’m really excited to see you.”

A pang of guilt consumes me as I process my sister’s words, and my heart aches with a familiar pain. Sure, she can be condescending and overly critical, but she’s still my sister. And it seems like she’s at least trying to make amends, to repair our relationship.

I should extend the olive branch and let bygones be bygones. But the thought of spending a whole weekend with her and her newest boyfriend has me drained already.

I absentmindedly twirl a strand of hair around my finger, and before I know it, the simple action escalates into a fixation. An obsession. I move from picking at my split ends to pulling out my hair, strand by strand, from the root.

It hurts, and it’s an unnerving distraction, but it also silences my mind.

When I find a drop of blood underneath my fingernails, I know I need to search for a different escape. I can’t focus on my work anymore, so I pull up Holden’s contact and send him a desperate text.

Kaia

you busy?

Holden

I can be there in an hour?

Kaia

any sooner?

Holden

45 minutes, tops

you need a distraction??

Kaia

I just need you

26

HOLDEN

I pullup to Kaia’s apartment, a surge of emotions hitting me. It’s an unusual blend of apprehension and eagerness, a coil that pulls tight in my gut. I know that she’s been dealing with a lot of stress lately, and I want to offer her some sort of comfort, a sanctuary amidst the turbulence in her life.

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