Page 13 of Her Brother's Keeper

The violence upstairs suspended as if by magic, as I pulled my coat off the rest of the way and hung it back up.

“Awright!” Sage called down and I raised my eyebrows at Nox. He grinned at me, and with another wink, ducked back outside. I went into the kitchen to cook and heard Sage thunder down the stairs a minute later, the front door opening and slamming closed.

I jumped and closed my eyes, willing my heart back into my chest. No matter how many times I told him not to do that, he always did, and no matter how much I knew it was going to happen, how much I totally expected it to happen, italwaysstartled me. I was just as bad with horror movies too. I had to cover my ears as much as my eyes to keep from startling at them, too. It was why I pretty much hated them and avoided watching them at all costs.

I went through my cupboards and fridge looking through everything and decided when it came to a meal that would both warm and fill four people I was pretty much limited to grilled cheese and tomato soup again, which was fine. The last time we’d had it had been the day before Christmas Eve; long enough ago now that Sage shouldn’t complain.

I opened up three cans of soup and mixed them with the last of our milk, putting them on the stove to heat. Next, I brought out the last of our bread, cheddar cheese, and some butter and got to work whipping up the sandwiches while the soup gently started to steam. I made instant hot cocoa for them and tea for me; even going as far as to set the dining room table for the four of us. I went to the front door and opened it up.

“Come on guys, come and eat!” I called and the three of them marched across the frozen ground, knocking their boots on the porch’s stairs, and wiping their feet on the mat in front of the door. It still boggled my mind that these bikers were such… suchgentlemen.I sighed inwardly with a touch of regret that I could judge a book by its cover so thoroughly. My father had raised me better than that; me and Sage both.

“What ‘cha got cookin’ good lookin’?” Rush asked and Nox knocked him in the ribs with his elbow. I blushed to the roots of my hair.

“I’m afraid I need to go grocery shopping once I’m off my shift, so it’s grilled cheese and tomato soup.”

“Sounds good!” Nox said and I gestured for them to come on back to the kitchen and the little dining table in it.

We sat down and I squeezed my teabag, setting it on the edge of my plate.

“Hot cocoa and everything, alright!” Rush said and he and Nox were smiling. Sage remained quiet, almost sullen.

“You okay, Sage?” I asked quietly.

“Yeah,” he said and I frowned.

“He’s cool,” Nox said. “Aren’t you, Sage?”

“Yes, sir.”

I blinked, surprised and Nox laughed, “Ain’t gotta be so formal to me.”

Sage dipped his sandwich into his soup and took a bite so he didn’t have to say anything. I did likewise and when I’d finished chewing and swallowing asked him, “Did you pack a bag with some stuff to do?”

“Yeah.”

“Ariel is going to be here to pick you up in about an hour, so at least you’ll get to spend some time with Ian tonight, right?” I said, trying to sound upbeat.

“Yeah, we’re supposed to play Madden,” he said glumly.

“What’s wrong, Sage?” I asked, my concern growing.

“You know I don’t mean to be a dick, right?” he asked and his eyes welled up. Nox got up and moved so I could take his seat. I pulled my brother against me and he said, “I just really wish Mom were here!” he wailed, and I felt the last brittle bits of my heart sift into dust.

“Sage, you know that can’t happen,” I murmured and hugged him tight. “We’re going to be okay, I promise. I’m doing everything I can –” He shoved me away hard.

“You aren’t an adult, Maren! You’re just a kid! Like me! We aren’t going to be okay! Nothing’s ever going to be okay again!”

“Hey!” Nox barked, as I sat back and tried not to let my own tears break free. I had been trying so very hard for Sage, to be everything he needed and then some, but still, every one of my fears had just come out of his mouth at me, sharp and accusatory.

“You and your sister are going to be fine, you’ve got people in your corner and like I said outside, you need to cut her some slack, buddy. Can’t you see how hard she’s trying?”

“Nox is right, man. She’s busting her butt to keep you here, in the house you grew up in. So what’re you fighting her so hard for?”

“I don’t know!” Sage bellowed, “I don’t care, either!” and he dodged around Nox and ran for the stairs, Nox went to go after and I grabbed his hand.

“Let him go,” I said hollowly. “Let him simmer down, he’s just angry and confused, and this is a lot for him.”

Nox sank into the seat I’d vacated and wrapped his long, strong fingers around mine. He jerked his chin at Rush, who picked up his plate and said, “It’s a nice day out, I’m going to eat on the porch.”

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