Page 20 of Until Tomorrow Comes
“Or maybe the house in the Hamptons.”
From the corner of my eye, I see him turn toward me again and can practically feel him raise his eyebrow at me. I roll my eyes, shaking my head and refusing to meet his gaze as I answer his unspoken question.
“We bought it last year,” I sigh. “And before you ask—yes, it’s one of those over-the-top mansions that makes zero sense for two people. Yes, I tried convincing him to go for the smaller house. No, I didnotjoin the country club there.”
Finally I turn to face him with a smirk.
“Butyes, being there for the summer was almost like being in an episode ofGossip Girlminus the teenage angst.”
Despite everything else going on, Alan barks out a loud, contagious laugh. At first the sound causes me to jump, but after a few seconds I’m laughing along with him.
Gossip Girlwas our thing.
Back in high school, my brother just happened to be sitting in the room when I decided to play the first episode. He bitched and complained the entire time. But by the end of the third episode he was hooked, and he told me I wasn’t allowed to watch it without him.
During his first deployment, the first care package I ever sent him included book one of theGossip Girlseries. When he video-called later that week, he gave me such shit for having to open that with “the guys” around.
They all gave him such a hard time, especially when he actually finished reading it, and one of them overheard him asking me to send the second book. So, the next time I sent a care package to my brother, I sent additional boxes for the guys, each containing book one and some treats.
“Didn’t you say your squad actually ended up reading the books?” I ask through my laughter.
Since the pain in my ribs is starting to become more noticeable, I carefully sit back in my seat, feeling Alan relax next to me.
“Yeah, we ended up reading all thirteen books by the end of our second deployment,” he motions with his thumb back toward the house. “It wouldn’t surprise me if Jack owns all of them. He read them faster than any of us.”
“Shut up, he does not!” Another laugh bubbles out of my chest before I can stop it.
“I swear!” Alan laughs, nodding his head.
For some reason, picturing the tall, tattooed covered man I just met, reading about Manhattan teenage drama, is severely comical.
“Dude, do me a favor and snoop for them while you’re here. If you find them, you’vegotto send me a picture, proving I’m right.”
We both burst into laughter again before slipping into comfortable silence, staring at the waves, lost in our own thoughts.
I’m not sure how much time has passed, but just as I’m finally about to suggest we go help Jackson get ready for dinner, Alan finally speaks up.
“I’m gonna head back home tomorrow morning.”
“What? Why?” I ask, my breath hitching in my throat.
I knew he wouldn’t be staying long, but less than twenty-four hours seems quick. Alan sighs, dragging a hand along his jaw.
“Because something tells me the fucker isn’t going to make it easy to find him, and I don’t want the police report to get buried. I want to be close by to make sure his money or influence doesn’t help him weasel his way out of this.”
He turns to face me, and his stony expression makes my blood run cold.
“He’s not going to get away with this, Kat. I don’t give a fuck who the rich prick thinks he is. No one has any right to do this shit, least of all to my baby sister.”
Once again, tears spontaneously well in my eyes, and all I can do is stare at my brother. On one hand, a part of me feels guilty that my issues with Zack are interfering with his life. He has more important things to deal with, and yet here he is, dropping everything and helping me. But, at the same time, I’m overcome with a sense of gratitude that he cares so much about me.
“Thank you.” I manage to choke out, resting my head on his shoulder.
Gently, I feel Alan wrap his arm around me.
“You got out. Now I just need to make sure you stay safe.”
“That’s not your job,” I try to protest. “Once I’m healed I ca—”
