Page 106 of Pretty Broken Wings
“I think he decided to go to the carnival instead,” Mom says.
I frown as Axel heaves off the couch. He makes a shuffle step, almost trips on my sword, then stumbles to the bathroom; Raven tells me she’s going to grab a drink and asks if I want one.
Yes. I want anything that keeps me close to her.
I bump into something on the way to the kitchen, tripping over it and cursing a little. Fucking glasses. I’m acting just as drunk as Axel.
When the fluorescent light of the kitchen lightens my vision, warm hands pull me to the side. “Careful, table.”
Fuck. Why would Mom move the table? It was probably Rich. He likes to keep us off balance.
“I think Axel’s puking.” Raven keeps her voice low.
Oh, for fuck’s sake. “Let him. Are you okay?” I want to reach out and grab her face. Feel if there’s a crease between her eyebrows. See how tense she’s holding her lips.
But I hold myself back.
“Fine.” Her answer is clipped.
Then, the sound of violent hurling comes from the bathroom. Axel was always a loud puker.
“Oh god, is he okay?” Mom’s voice comes from the living room.
“I’m sure he’s fine,” Rich reassures.
The sound comes again, and it grates on my nerves. Axel’s been a royal pain in the dick, and even now, he’s still getting all the attention.
“I’ll check on him, but you good?” I ask Raven.
“Fine,” she says again, but this time there’s less venom. “Kick his ass for me, yeah?”
More than okay with that.
I stalk down the hall to the bathroom, where the door is open and the light is off. I flick it on and off a few times. “Wakey, wakey.”
Axel groans.
“You did this to yourself, you know.”
There’s a pause, then Axel moans. “Come to gloat?”
“Yep.” I lean on the doorframe.
I hear Axel shift, and then he screams into the toilet again. When he’s done, I hear him thump back down. “That checks out. You were always the good one.”
I snort.
“Goody-two-shoes.” Axel’s voice is sing-songy. “Run to tell Mom anytime Axel looked at him wrong.”
I cross my arms.
“That’s why it wasn’t you, you know.” There’s a hollow thump, and I think Axel has dropped his head against the bathtub.
I shake my head. He’s so drunk that the puking hasn’t even sobered him up. We’re definitely going to have to leave him here tonight. Oh no. I roll my eyes.
“It’s why Rich didn’t pick you.”
“What?” I wonder if I can take away the key Axel has to my house.
