Page 63 of Empowered
Lucas grimaced.Yeah, doesn’t feel good, does it?“I’d kill the bastard who caused it.”
“Yeah, that’s basically what I did.” She wouldn’t say how, but in those intense, dark days of her grief, Sarah had envisioned a million ways to kill Russell Monroe. This was before sheknewwithout a doubt that he was the reason their son was gone from the universe.At least I would never be tacky enough to name my boy after him.Sarah had nothing to bury. But she and Nigel cobbled some spare change together to purchase a small memorial at the local cemetery. They had a monument to children lost before birth, and although they offered to add her son’s name, Sarah declined. She never wanted to name him. Maybe if he never had a name, he’d be free to go to some other mother who needed him more. “That fucker hasn’t suffered enough, but he has suffered.”
“He’s hurt a lot of people.”
“But has he hurt you?”
“No. I’ve been hurt by others instead. We all have those bastards in our lives.”
Sarah turned over and plastered her face against his chest. It was the only way to hide the tears burning behind her eyes.
This time when she cried before him, it was with zero shame or inhibitions. She had nothing to hide from him anymore.
***
Nigel was home when Sarah returned around noon the next day. After spending the night and morning with a man she now considered more than a lover, her apprehension at seeing her brother forced a lump down her throat.
“Hey,” he said from the kitchen island counter. A cup of coffee steamed before him. At least he was showered and shaved. Sometimes, if Nigel stayed the weekend at home, he would forego both hygiene habits, his sister and girlfriend’s opinions be damned. “Back already?”
Sarah entered but did not shut the front door. Lucas had every intention of following her into her apartment.He’s also shaved and showered, thank God.Although she rather missed the rugged man she made love to the night before. Well, this one smelled better, anyway. Less like sex, which Nigel probably appreciated.
He instantly recognized the man from the café. His reaction was also exactly what Sarah anticipated: defensive and unimpressed.
“Lucas,” she might as well get this over with, “this is my brother, Nigel. You’ve sort of met before.”
Her boyfriend entered the room and extended his hand to Nigel. “Pleasure,” he said with his businesslike demeanor. “Sarah doesn’t stop talking about you.”
Nigel dismissed the hand in favor of shooting his sister a glare. “Care to explain?”
“This is Lucas Blackbourne. From the office. We’re, uh, dating.”
Never before had Nigel regarded a man with so much damned disdain. “Are you the guy she’s been seeing in New York?”
“A couple of times.” Lucas withdrew the handshake. “We only decided to make it official yesterday. She thought it pertinent that we formally meet.”
“I bet she did. Took her long enough.”
Just because I met Carly after your first date?He didn’t even bring his soon-to-be girlfriend home for sex. Carly came by long enough to meet Sarah, have a drink, and head back to her own apartment. Nigel proceeded to spend the rest of the night excitedly talking about the young woman and getting his sister’s opinion on her. The fact that this was not reciprocated did not sit well with him.
That was the problem with Sarah having her realization that they were not, in fact, the same person with the same experiences.Can’t tell you all about my sex life. You turn into protective big brother, whereas I’m only expected to give you mere opinions.Maybe he would take them to heart. Maybe he would completely disregarded what she thought while expecting to be the law of God around the apartment.Besides, if he knew what I was really up to up in New York, he’d have a stroke like Russell’s.
Or maybe he would simply hang his head and pray on her behalf. That was almost worse.
“I’ll probably be coming around more often.” Bless Lucas. He tried so hard to come off friendly and cordial, as if he were saying“To watch movies and cook you guys dinner”instead of“To fuck your sister’s brains out while you’re in the other room.”Of course, it was okay for Carly to come over for sleepovers. Even though Sarah could sometimes hear them going at it well into the night.
Damnit, why didheregg have to lack a Y chromosome? Why did Nigel get it?Thanks, Dad.
“This isn’t fair,” Nigel said with the fakest niceties he could possibly put on. “Now my girlfriend is going to think a guy like this is the standard around here.”
“I’ll leave the suits at home if it means I can take your sister out now and then.”
“I highly doubt you’re fishing for my permission, Mr. Blackbourne. But in case you are… the deal is, make my sister cry, and… well, I’m sure you’ve heard about how well I get on with stairwells.”
Only the blackest of humor for the Clayborn twins.
Lucas returned to Sarah’s side and gave her a look that insinuated her brother was a true peach. “I must be going to pick up Victor. I’ll text you later, Sarah.” He kissed her, keeping it somewhat PG for the present audience. When he left a few minutes later, Sarah turned back to her brother, exasperated.
“Nice boyfriend. From the office? Jesus, Sarah.”
