Page 19 of My Favorite Secret
This is the dynamic Felix and I have always had. We can argue, give each other shit, yet still be one hundred percent solid as friends and brothers. I suppose all siblings are like this to some degree.
I zone out, in awe of Harper’s elegance as she twirls onher toes. She’s always so happy when dancing. Tonight, though, there’s tension between her brows. It has to be because of Felix moving in with her family.
“She misses you.”
“Please,” Felix drones. “The girl hates me.”
“Quite the opposite. She’s hurt and is angry at you. But she’d welcome you back in a second if you?—”
“If I what? Apologize because she doesn’t like who I am? I’m not dropping to my knees for her like you do. Besides, she pisses me off.”
And yet he’s still infatuated with her.
I asked Felix for his approval to make a move on Harper. He hasn’t given me a proper answer. From the way he fixates on Harper, I suspect he’ll never truly be done with her.
I can’t even be mad because the truth is Harper has never felt like she’s just mine, and I’ve never minded. She’s always been ours, even during these last few years when she’s been distanced from Felix. I like the idea of sharing the most important part of my life with Felix?—
There goes that sick part of my mind again.
I’m thankful when Felix speaks up, distracting me with a subject change. “Take care of Killian and Dan while I’m not around.”
“Of course.”
“As for our speakeasy?—”
“It can’t happen.”
I sigh, pulling my Zippo lighter from my pocket for Felix to see. We both stole a souvenir from our night at the speakeasy. Felix has his red poker chip. I found this lighter discarded at the bar.
Text is engraved on one side of the Zippo:The house always wins. On the other side:Except when we play. It’sbecome our motto, a symbol of our brotherhood, that together, we’re unstoppable. The following day, Felix got the same text engraved on his poker chip.
“I think about our speakeasy every day.” Sadness flows through me as I flick the Zippo cap open and shut repeatedly, hearing the distinctclinkof its metal ring through the air. “But… Columbia is the path for me.”
“Perfect. A business degree to set us up for success.”
I laugh, shaking my head at how persistent my brother is, and tuck the Zippo away. “Dad and Harper wouldn’t like it?—”
“Again with the lady holding you by the balls. Our speakeasyishappening, bro. I’ll find a way to convince you. Dad doesn’t need to ever know. It will be our secret. So, Harper is the real person I need to convince. Maybe I’ll try to get on her good side again. After all, we’ll be living together for the next year. We’ll be playing brother and sister, like Clara always wanted for us.”
I lose the smile. “Whatever you’re thinking, don’t do it. Leave Harper out of this.”
“Relax. I’ll be the best big brother and take good care of her.”
“Why do you have to make everything sound sexual?”
We both laugh, the sound not as quiet this time, and Harper turns in our direction, squinting into the shadows until a massive smile spreads across her face. I guess that means she’s only noticed me.
“Princess. Looking beautiful, as always.”
Harper prances up to me, giving a cute squeal when I wrap her in a hug and lift her off the ground. When I plant her back down, she blushes and looks at her feet, acting nervous around me, which is so unlike her.
“No hug for me?” my brother taunts.
Harper’s muscles stiffen and she shoots a glare at Felix. She ignores him and looks back at me. “I guess you heard I’m playing happy family with your brother for the next year.”
“Don’t act so sour about it, Red. More opportunities for you to watch me.”
Felix’s words make her gasp. I speak up, needing clarification. “What are you talking about?”
