Page 98 of I Knew You
“I’d hear him out, too,” Kallie said with a smirk, and I rolled my eyes again.
“I didn’t mean it like that. I…I think I love him, Kallie.”
She didn’t say anything to that, just stared at me in thought.
“I want to spend time with you this week,” she said, finally. “We can figure things out as we go. It doesn’t have to be all figured out tonight. Let’s get some sleep.”
I fell asleep with Kallie in Grams’ old room and dreamt of a past I couldn’t erase.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Julianna |October 18, 2024
Time moved quickly after Kallie arrived in Mill Creek. I didn’t feel like doing too much, and we spent lots of time indoors. Whit texted often, and even though I desperately wanted to, I wasn’t sure whether to mention what had happened the day Vince showed up. Whit never mentioned it to me, so I assume Bram didn’t talk to him about it.
It was Friday morning when I realized I couldn’t take it anymore.
Me: I need to talk to you soon.
I texted my brother’s number and bit my lip, waiting for him to respond. While it usually took quite a while, this time it was immediate.
Whit: Whatdid Bram do?
Me: Bram did nothing. Why do you always assume it’s him?
Whit: Because it seems like his goal in life is to hurt you.
Me: We got in a little tift. I’m with Kallie at Grams’ house.
Whit: I figured it was something like that. You can always tell me, even if it has to do with Bram. I can’t guarantee I won’t smash his face in, though.
I smiled. Was this what it was like to have a big brother as an adult? It’s how I remembered it from when I was a teen. He would have burned down the world for me. And now?
Some hope flared within me.
Me: I don’t want you to, but it’s sweet of you to offer.
Whit: I know I’ve been a shitty brother to you, but I want to be better.
I sighed aloud. I had wanted to have this conversation with him in person. I hadn’t seen my brother in so long. But Whit was in season with football, and there was no such thing as time that belonged to him.
Me: Call me when you have time.
Much to my surprise, my phone rang immediately.
“Hey,” I said.
“Hey, sis,” he replied, his voice tired. “How are you feeling?”
I could lie. I was so good at it. But I chose not to. If I were to clean my slate and let the past be the past, I would have to take the necessary steps.
“Physically? I’m great. Everything is healing nicely with minimal pain if I take my meds.” I took a deep breath and exhaled audibly. “Emotionally? I’m not so great.”
“What’s wrong?” Concern filled his voice. “Is it about Bram?”
“Mostly. But I do need to apologize to you.” I wasn’t about to tell the wreck secret to him, but it was past time for us to discuss our relationship.
“Okay…that sounds cryptic and unnecessary. For what?”
