Page 60 of Clouded by Envy

Clenching the sides of his head, he wasn’t sure what to do now, but there was his promise to see Bray. So that’s what he would do.

If he could have gotten himself drunk without vomiting it up, Brenik would have done that—he wanted to forgeteverything. There was no way he could get close to anyone ever again.

It took longer than expected, but he finally arrived atWes’shouse. Brenik didn’t remember exactly how he got there, but somehow, he had. Flattening his hand against the front door, Brenik struck it twice and waited for Bray to answer.

What he really wanted to do was lay on his hammock in the tree hole. Who would haveeverthought he would think that again, because he sure as hell didn’t.

The door swung partially open, and there stood Luca. Even though the kid’s hazel eyes were open, Brenik still felt the intensity of his glare.

“I’m not inviting you in,” Luca muttered, not budging.

Brenik pushed on the wooden door and stepped inside.

“I guess this isn’t likeTheLost Boys.” Luca sighed.

“I never saw it.” The movie looked terrible—with annoying kids, like the one in front of him.

“You know, like a vampire can’t come in unless they’re invited inside?” Luca toed the edge of the doorway, holding his ground.

“I’m not a vampire.”

“You have fangs that retract, and you drink blood. You’re a vampire.”

He ignored the kid’s comment, not surprised his sister let everyone know his secret. “Where’s Bray?”

“She’s in the backyard with Wes. I just came inside to get a drink real quick.” Luca brought a Coke can up to his mouth with the tab pulled around, and a straw inserted in the hole. He took a long sip as he stared down Brenik.

Who is this kid? He can’t drink a soda like a normal person?Brenik shoved past him and headed out the back door. He found Bray standing beside a man with mahogany hair that curled at the ends around his ears and brown skin slightly lighter than Luca’s.

As Bray lined up several bricks around the garden, the guy—who must have been Wes—watched her tenderly and affectionately. It made Brenik feel nauseated, reminding him of how he must have looked at Rana.

Wes’s head turned to the side and spotted Brenik, face immediately turning into a scowl.

“Where’s Luca?” Wes’s voice was low and serious as he approached Brenik. Bray lifted her head and didn’t smile either. He guessed that no one was thrilled to see him, even though Bray had wanted him to come.

Brenik couldn’t help himself and shrugged. “How should I know?”

Chewing on a granola bar, Luca opened the door just as Wes’s expression was getting a bit too intense for Brenik’s liking.

“Don’t act like a—”

“A what?” Brenik smiled sweetly after interrupting Wes and staring at Luca.

Ignoring Brenik, Wes nodded toward the door. “Luca, can you go back inside for a little while?”

“Why?” Luca whined. Wes narrowed his eyes and Luca must have got the drift. “Fine, I’ll go inside.”

After Luca shut the door behind him, Bray wandered over to Brenik. “Have you figured anything out?”

“You mean since I murdered Rana? No, I haven’t figured out anything besides sulking on the couch.” Brenik knew he was being a dick, but he was too miserable to worry about it.

Wes tugged Bray’s elbow. “I think he needs to leave, Bray.”

“What are you going to do? Call the cops?” Brenik taunted.

Wes moved forward, shoulders pulled back. “Yes.”

“You know what? Fuck off. You don’t own me, or this house, or that tree. If Ruth could have written me and Bray in a will, this would have been our house.” He wasn’t going to let some asshole take over everything in his life.

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