Page 17 of I Knew You
I couldn’t come up with anything that wasn’t a lie. I was a “good girl.” I was quiet, low-key, a little withdrawn, and a whole lot bookish. I’d never so much as stolen a pen from the bank counter. But Whit didn’t need to know that.
“If I told you my secrets, I’d have to kill you.”
He laughed, loud and clear. “Don’t make me fly to Charlotte and box your ears.”
The euphemism conjured Grams in my mind. The saying was one of her favorites to use on us as kids.
“I won’t argue with you on the phone. Let me kick your ass in person.”
I could hear him still snickering. This was the most connected we’d been in so long.
“Well, the season is on, but I can fly out for a few days during bye week,” he said. “Is it okay if I drop in then? It’ll be early November.”
“It’s your house, so come anytime you want.”
“I can hire you a caretaker for after the surgery.”
I sniffed. “My best friend Kallie is coming for the aftercare.”
“Oh. Okay, good. Bram will be in the area too, if you’re in a pinch.”
I would never find myself in that big of a pinch.
“I haven’t seen or spoken to Bram since Grams died,” I whispered.
“Then it would be good for you guys to catch up.” Whit sounded as if it was the grandest of plans. “I don’t get to see him much since we’re both so busy. Maybe you can bring me up to speed.”
I swallowed hard, choking the words out. “Yeah, maybe.”
“It’s been too long since I’ve seen your face. I miss you.”
My heart pounded. Why didn’t he call me back if he missed me so much? Why didn’t he ever get on a plane to see me?
“You too,” I replied.
“We might have to schedule some calls,” he went on. “My time isn’t my own again until next March.”
I couldn’t imagine his grueling schedule, the money, the social obligations—all the things that made him one of the most favored quarterbacks in football. Our lives were so different.
“I’ll watch all your games, even if we can’t talk.”
I never missed a game. I loved seeing my brother succeed and exceed expectations.
“I know.” I heard a high-pitched voice in the background call his name. “Sorry, I gotta go. My assistant is on my ass. I’ll text you the code for the front door at Grams’. Keep me up to date, please.”
“Sounds good. And thank you so much.”
“Not another word.”
We ended the call, but the weight I’d carried didn’t release as I had expected. I couldn’t shake the truth that my brother and I had a lot more to discuss later if we wanted a chance to feel like family again.
Chapter Three
Bram |September 23, 2024
Iclutched the large box in my arms against my chest. The street lamps of the small downtown square lit simultaneously, illuminating my way as I walked toward my truck parked behind Mill Creek’s small Senior Citizens’ Community Building. I wished I had a jacket to shield me from the cool fall breeze.
“Dracula! Hold up!” a familiar voice called out from behind me.
