Page 42 of Joyride
Before I can respond, the front door opens and closes.
Shade walks into the living room. “Where’s my baby sister?”
“Ugh, babe, we’re having a girls night! Couldn’t you have waited one more night,” Sienna asks him.
“I haven’t seen her in two months. I needed to see her.”
I stand and wrap him in a hug. He stiffens at first, but quickly relaxes, hugging me back. It’s been a long time since I’ve given him any kind of affection. It’s become a foreign concept for us— one I hope we can get back.
“Can we talk?” Shade hooks his thumb over his shoulder, gesturing to outside.
“Of course.” I follow him outside where we sit on the front steps.
“You look happier,” he says softly.
“I am.”
He wraps his arm around my shoulders. “I wish you would have called me when you left.”
“I know I should have. I’m sorry, Shade.”
“Don’t be sorry. I’m glad you’re safe and home. Do you want to tell me what ran you off in the first place?”
I take a deep breath. “Zack and I broke up, and I needed to get away for a while.”
“I didn’t even know you had friends in New Orleans,” he says.
“I wanted it that way,” I admit. “It kept it a safe place for me.”
“That’s what I don’t get. If you and Zack broke up, why couldn’t you call Sienna or me? Hell, or even Sketch?”
I sigh. “It’s not something I’m ready to talk to you about, yet.”
“Have you talked to anyone? You can’t keep shit bottled up, Wren.”
“Just because I don’t tell you, doesn’t mean I’m keeping it bottled up.” I grab his hand and squeeze. “I know how protective you are over me. I also know you tend to react without thinking things through.”
He lets out a half-huff, half-laugh sound.
“There are times where you need to keep something from me to keep me safe. This is what I’m doing for you. If and when you need to know, you will.”
Shade chuckles. “You sound more like me than you know.”
I roll my eyes. “Ugh, that’s the last thing I need.” I giggle.
“Ha-ha, don’t act like you never wanted to be like me growing up.”
“That was before I knew better,” I tease.
“You leave for a couple months, now all of a sudden you’re a comedian, huh?”
I grin. “Yeah, something like that.”
We’re quiet for a couple minutes. I end up breaking the silence. “You, me, Sienna, and whoever else wants to, should go to breakfast tomorrow.”
“I’d like that. Rosie’s at ten?”
“Perfect. I’ll let Sienna know.”
