Page 27 of Pit Stop

Twenty

Odette

After finishing my glass of tea and washing the mug, I sit on the leather sectional. I’m not sure what to make of this part of my sister's life. I’m so torn. Some part of me feels like this isn’t so bad. This old hotel feels more like a home than any place I’ve been in for a while, but I know what the SK is. I know what they stand for, and I want no part of it. An image of Tillman comes to mind and I pause. Hair so dark it’s nearly black but under the lights it has almost an iridescent sheen to it making my finger itch to reach out and run my fingers through the locks. His blue eyes are intense and guarded. One look and they could paralyze you where you stand. This odd, foreign part of me wants to know him. To understand why he’s so guarded, the things he’s seen, why he’s a part of the SK. There’s something about him that you can’t look away from.

The door opens and a tall, lanky teenage boy with chestnut colored hair with a slight curl to it, comes bouncing in. A goofy, lopsided smile on his face. He stops when he notices me. “You’re new,” he comments. A slight accent comes through from his words, almost sounding British. Cornflower blue eyes shine with curiosity. The way he tilts his head to one side like he’s studying me shows he’s a charmer with the ladies. I’d bet money on that.

“I am.”

After a few moments he nods his head in acceptance and walks towards the kitchen area before returning and falling back onto one of the bean bags on the floor, facing me. “I’m Urban.”

“Interesting name.” My smile is teasing and he grins, biting down on his bottom lip.

Finally, he shrugs his shoulders and releases his lip from between his teeth. “What can I say, mum had a thing for different names. I’m actually shocked I didn’t end up with a name from a Shakespeare play. He was her favorite.”

“Well, Shakespeare is a classic for a reason.”

Urban scoffs. “You’re kidding right? He’s dreadful and boring. It’s all rubbish with him. So much unnecessary death in his works it’s ridiculous.” Laughter bubbles out of my throat before I can stop it. His eyes catch mine. He smiles and a small dimple appears on one side. “Do I amuse you?”

I cover my mouth with my hand as the laughter continues to come until I’m in hysterics. Tears leak from the corners of my eyes and my side aches from the muscles tightening but I can’t seem to stop laughing. Urban watches me with more curiosity than before. Finally, the giggles start to subside and I lean my head back on the couch and sigh. Suddenly, I feel incredibly tired. My lip and face hurt from the injuries Lyle caused but it felt so damn good to laugh. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to laugh at you, but I’ve never seen a teenage boy be more offended by Shakespeare than you.”

Urban chuckles and runs some fingers through his hair. “What can I say?”

“Well, I will say that you aren’t wrong about his work but he’s still a classic for a reason. You would have been lucky to end up with one of his characters’ names.”

A look of sadness washes over Urban’s charming face. “Speaking of names... do you have one?”

“Well, of course I do. What kind of person doesn’t have a name?” I ask, laughter bubbling back up in my voice. For some reason I feel like Urban and I could be really good friends. Urban eyes me expectantly. “My name is Odette.”

His eyes widen and his mouth opens and closes slightly as recognition sets in. “You’re Onyx’s sister.”

By the tone of his voice it’s obvious he looks up to her. I’m curious as to why. There has to be a story behind it. Onyx is one of those people, though, that others gravitate towards. She has a presence that is undeniable. “Guilty as charged.”

“Onyx is pretty awesome.”

I shrug my shoulders. I’m not sure how to respond. Things between my sister and I are on odd terms. It’s hard to find out all this about my sister. It’s like she’s had a secret life that I never knew about and if I’m being perfectly honest it hurts. I’ve never kept anything from her because I couldn't. She was my best friend and when something happened, she’s always been the first person I went to. Somehow, I’m not that person for her anymore and it’s difficult to come to terms with. “She can be. Are you British?” I ask. The question flying out of my mouth on its own accord.

He chuckles, a deep throaty laugh. “Yeah. I moved to the states with my father once my mum passed away.”

The deep look of sadness in his eyes makes my heart ache. “I’m so sorry.”

Urban shakes his head but before he can say anything else the door bursts open. I glance over my shoulder to see Onyx and Odin striding in. Before I can register anything, Odin is in front of me, pulling me up from my seat on the couch and into his arms. I catch a glimpse of his hazel eyes and the burning anger in the pits of them is staggering. “I can’t believe he did this. I knew something was wrong. I should have just come home when I talked to you on the phone.”

I shake my head slightly. “No, I didn’t want you there.” My voice is muffled from being buried into his chest. The stench of cigarette smoke clings to his clothes and I make a mental note to have a discussion about that. It’s not the first time I’ve caught a whiff of it lingering on him or his breath.

“I could have protected you,” he roars. His voice wavers with the anger he’s feeling. His emotions are too high. I squeeze my arms around him tighter. He would have protected me had he been there but at what cost. He may be tall as hell compared to me but he's still my baby brother and the idea of him getting hurt to defend me is not something I’m okay with.

After a few moments of just hugging, I tell him, “I’m okay.”

He pulls back, staring at me with a raised eyebrow, almost as if he’s questioning my sanity. “You look like someone’s punching bag. I’m pretty sure that’s not okay.”

“Please,” I whisper. It’s a plea for him to drop it but I can tell by the determined look on his face that it’s not the end of this discussion, it’s simply a pause.

Onyx clears her throat and Odin and I turn to look at her. “We need to have a family meeting. Decisions need to be made and I think it’s only fair we make them together.”

I nod my head. Odin takes my hand and we follow Onyx through the bottom floor of the hotel until we reach what I’m guessing was once a conference room. It’s being converted to something else now, but I can’t say what. We take a seat against one of the walls. All of us with legs stretched out before us, the early morning sun beaming through the uncovered windows. It smells fresh, like Febreze. We all sit in silence and wait for one of us to bite the dust. Onyx sighs and I realize it’ll be her. It’s always been her to carry the weight of our family on her shoulders. I’m not sure what’s about to happen but something in my gut tells me it’ll change us all forever.

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