Page 38 of Slow Burn
I closed my eyes and swallowed hard at the memory. Drawing in a deep breath, I opened them again. "Well, later when Dad demanded I never set foot in Soulbeat again, he asked why I couldn't be more like you."
Something that looked a hell of a lot like understanding fell over Jennah's face. It gave me strength to go on. "All I ever wanted was for us to be best friends but that stupid incredibly hurt part inside of me enviedyou. Jennah, I was so jealous of your ability to be the perfect child. The one who wasn't a disappointment."
My sister reached across the table so fast, I startled. Her fingers curled around my wrist and squeezed tight. "Oh, Maddie." She searched my eyes. "I'm not making excuses for anyone, but somewhere over the years, I've come to think that our parents really didn't know any better. Hell, they still don't."
She stared at her hand wrapped around my arm. "When I fell pregnant with Tommy, Dad took me to Mathilda's Diner for burgers and milkshakes." Slowly, her focus shifted back to me. "I'd stupidly thought it was to assure me that everything would be all right. That we'd get through it together."
A mirthless laugh escaped her lips. "Yeah, I was so wrong. Dad laid into me about how irresponsible I was to throw my future away like that. He did some comparing too, and even though I am two years older than you, I'd never felt more inferior than I had that day."
She leaned forward; eyes boring into mine. "You know what else?" Biting my lip, I shook my head. "The only reason why it's so easy for me to fall in line with their plans is because I'm not half as brave as you are."
"That's not true," I insisted fiercely. "You're raising a kid all by yourself. That's pretty freaking brave, if you ask me."
At the mention of my nephew, a genuine smile touched her lips. "That was forced bravery. I really didn't have any other choice."
The waitress appeared. A tender look on her face as her gaze flicked between Jennah and me. She pulled her notepad out. "Are we ready to order?"
Meeting my sister's gaze, I grinned. "We sure are."
***
Funny how one dinner with my sister could change so much. We weren't suddenly best friends, but I understood her better and vice versa. I was already smiling when I walked around to the back of the house; it only grew wider when I spotted Adam standing at the edge of his yard.
In the dim light of the moon, I could only see enough to know he was facing the ocean. Keeping on my side of the fence, I wandered to where he was standing. Although most of the big blue was hidden under the darkness of night, the sound of the waves gently lapping against the shore filtered through the air.
"That has to be my favorite sound," I confessed quietly.
A deep, "Mhm," rumbled through his chest and had me shivering on the spot. Adam was quiet for so long after that, I couldn't help but feel like I'd intruded on his moment of peace. I was about to go inside and leave him alone with his thoughts when he spoke.
"You feeling better today?"
Turning to face him, I was surprised to find him already looking at me. Soft light spilled from his houseand cast shadows over his face. He looked dark and mysterious and painfully beautiful.
"Yes, thank you."
That rich, gritty voice was soft and low when he spoke again. "That's good." The little butterflies in my stomach fluttered about furiously and when he stepped closer my heart joined in too.
He casually draped those thick arms over the fence, his gaze zeroing in on me. In the darkness, I couldn't see the look in his eyes, but I felt the heat of his stare all the same. "I'm curious," he murmured.
"About what?" Goodness, I sounded all kinds of breathy.
"It's been a while since your dog has flown the coop."
Somehow, I'd imagined him saying something else entirely. But that could've been a byproduct of my endless fantasies about the man. Laughing quietly, I shook my head. "Well, yeah. A certain someone—I'm not naming names or anything—complained profusely about my dog and the door I used to leave open for him. So now I close it and poor Sheldon has no fresh air," I said very dramatically.
A deep chuckle rumbled through Adam's chest and rolled over my skin, instantly presenting me with my new favorite sound. I had the urge to close my eyes and beg him to let me hear it on a loop.
"Whoever said such a thing must be the biggest asshole in the world." I could still hear the smile in hisvoice and as much as I wanted to tease him, something inside of me wouldn't let me.
"Or maybe he's just misunderstood."
Adam didn't utter a word for such a long time; I was certain I'd overstepped. I opened my mouth to apologize but he spoke first. "You know you could always leave Sheldon with me during the day."
It was my turn to be silent. From the moment I'd met this man, he made no secret of the fact that my dog was the bane of his existence. Now he was offering to dogsit? Also, did he not have a normal job like the rest of us? "You don't have somewhere to be during the day?"
It might've been my imagination, but he looked slightly uncomfortable. "I…uh…no, I don't. Watching him won't be a problem."
That was a vague answer if I ever heard one. Unfortunately for my curious little self, he didn't need to explain his comings and goings. "Careful," I told him. "I might think you're actually nice."
