Page 7 of Into These Eyes
He’s pointing frantically at something further along the street, closer to his house. Curious, I stride forward, getting a gauge on where he’s directing all his attention.
“Gav!” This time, I hear panic in his voice.
That’s when I see what’s got him so worked up.
I freeze, my breath catching in my throat.
There’s a woman a few metres away.
And since I don’t recognise her, I’m pretty fucking sure it’sher.
As I stare at her, all I can think about is my mother.
Heart booming against my chest, I take off.
And run straight at her.
Chapter 5
Jamie
“Yes!” I yell with utter satisfaction.
“You’re cheating!” Dad protests, a big doofus grin on his face.
“Park Lane is mine! Now I’m going to bleed you dry, old man.”
He laughs, giving me an affectionate wink. It’s not likehedoesn’t gloat when he scores the top two Monopoly properties.
On the couch beside him, Anika giggles and claps her hands, her bright eyes glued to the Finding Nemo DVD I’d put on nearlyan hour ago. As soon as Mum had left, Dad insisted I take Anika upstairs for her bath. Because, of course, he couldn’t possibly do it himself.
While I ran her a bubble bath, I chased her around the bedrooms, playing her version of hide and seek. My motivation might’ve been to tire her out, but by the end, my cheeks and belly were both aching from giggling so much.
Once her bath was ready, the bubbles and delicious scent inspired me to lock the door and get in with her. Really, it was easier than hanging over the side of the tub for an hour while she played.
We spent so long in there, I had to carefully top it up with hot water twice. My fault, since I insisted on playing her favourite game of creating a bubble beard and shaving it off over and over. Then we moved on to filling her plastic dolly up with water and squeezing it so it looked like she was peeing. That never failed to have my little sister in fits of hysterics.
Despite all my efforts to tire Anika out, she’s showing no signs of nodding off. I glance at Dad as he takes a peek at his watch.
“Why don’t you take Anika up to bed? It’s almost nine already.”
I glare at him. “Oh, I get it. Since I’m about to kick your butt, you’re ending the game?”
“Can’t sneak anything past you, can I?” he admits.
“You suck.”
“You suck!” Anika yells, clapping her hands.
“Jamie … she needs her sleep.” Dad warns, but he still has a smile plastered on his face.
“Fine,” I grumble. “That means you’re packing up.”
“Deal.”
I stand and lift Anika into my arms. She instantly grabs my cheeks with her sticky fingers. “Ow, ow, owwww!” I giggle and tickle her feet. She squeals in delight, lifting my mood when she presses her flat palms against my face and squeezes.
“Fishy, fishy!” she yells. I pucker my mouth and make fish-lips at her before plonking noisy kisses all over her rosy cheeks.
