Page 20 of Collateral Damage
Cooper
Past - Age 19
Two weeks. That’s all we get on Nantucket this year. It’s been this first week over Memorial Day weekend and another over July Fourth. Besides that, my brother and I are expected to work at King all summer. We’ll be stuck in the hot city, but in mostly air-conditioned high-rises, so it’s not all bad. Still, I wish we could be on this island, having fun all summer instead.
Nantucket is our sanctuary. However, given the week I had watching Ethan and Sybil act like a blissful married couple, I’m more than ready to get to Manhattan.
All I care about is getting them out of my mind and being able to breathe again. In Manhattan, the Laurences have their own place, and Sybil will be busy with her internship over at Laurence International. Sure, I’ll see her around, but it won’t be all the damn time.
Not like it is here.
I pad to the kitchen in my gym shorts, the smell of sleep and sex still on my skin. When I woke up this morning, my friendfrom last night had already gone home. That’s fine by me. We’re here to have fun.
The only thing killing me besides my brother’s relationship is the raging hangovers. I’ve drunk my ass off every night we’ve been here.
I want to crawl in a hole by the time I get myself a large glass of water, a piece of toast, and ibuprofen, but I take care of myself instead of texting our chef Camilla. I refuse to bethatpathetic.
“Good morning, sunshine,” Sybil says when I enter the dining room. I sink into the chair across from my brother and his girlfriend, wishing the stairs didn’t feel so damn far away. “Don’t you look chipper.”
“Shut up,” I grumble.
“Did you have fun last night?” Ethan asks, taking a sip of his green juice. They look like they’ve returned from a workout and are ready to conquer the day. Lord, help me.
“I did.” At least that’s the truth.
“Looked like it.” Sybil lifts her eyebrows. “You probably have a horrible hangover, though, huh?”
I tip my head in her direction and get to munching on my toast, wanting more than anything for the lovebirds to leave me alone.
They’re so compatible, so perfect, so wonderful, but damn it if my pathetic heart still swoops low every time I see them kiss.
“We’re going to the botanical gardens today. Do you want to join us?” Sybil asks.
I glance at my brother. The botanical gardens aren’t really his style, but he’s busy playing with his phone, so I guess he doesn’t care.
“No thanks,” I say dryly. I’d rather poke my eyeballs out with a fork than watch them stroll hand in hand, looking at flowers and taking selfies together.
“Suit yourself,” Sybil says, getting up and pulling Ethan with her. They leave, and I’m left at the table with my sad piece of half-eaten toast and my pounding headache and my jealous heart. Pushing the plate away, I drop my head onto the table and slow my breathing, forcing my thoughts to mellow.
It’s fine. I’m going to get over her. It’s only a matter of time. I’ll meet the right person for me eventually, and my crush on Sybil will be a distant memory. One day, most likely, she’ll be my sister-in-law. I have to move on.
I can see her like a sister. I can.
Even as I’m telling myself this blatant lie, my mind betrays me. All I see are the things I love about her. The way she cares for the ones she loves. The openness of her laugh. How smart her mind is. Her perfect body, tall and strong. Her expressive green eyes. The arch of her pale neck when her hair is up. God, that hair. It’s like a sunrise, fiery and soft at the same time. She’s beautiful inside and out, and she understands me in a way nobody else does.
I am fucked. Why do I keep thinking like this? Torturing myself?
“You okay, son?” Mom’s voice pulls me to the present as she places a hand on my shoulder. I didn’t even realize she came in.
“I’m fine.” That’s the standard answer I give to my parents and has been for years.“How was school?” “Fine.” “How are you doing?” “Fine.” “Are you okay that the woman you’re secretly in love with is openly in love with your twin brother?” “I’m fine.”Okay, so they haven’t asked that last question, but it’s only a matter of time before Mom figures it out.
“Let’s go sit outside. I want to talk to you.”
Well, shit.
I blink, chest constricting, but I do as she asks. The back porch has several places to lounge, and she thankfully leads me to the one with the most shade. My headache thanks her.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
