Page 40 of Roses, Pearls, and Hot Summer Nights
The other conversation had continued, but I missed a bunch of messages while in the separate chat. All I could see at first was Julian’s question on the bottom.What do you think, Alatheia?
Before I could reply or scroll up to see what he meant, Jeremy popped back up.Don’t do that. No Goodbyes. We’re all at Granny’s. Come down. And answer Julian.
Semi-confused, I went back to the other message.
What could Julian want? I scanned through the chat to catch up. One of Barrett’s former classmates was having an art show, and they wanted me to go with them. It wouldn’t be my first gallery visit. Sometimes, my Chicago aunt liked to attend them, until she realized I wasn’t cute nor skilled at public events. I remembered when she told me specifically I outgrew my cuteness.
Despite that, I did like the art.You sure?
Come.Barrett answered.At least come down so we can convince you in person.
I’ll be there in a minute.
I decided not to go too crazy with the wardrobe. I tugged on a simple pair of jeans and a white t-shirt. I braided my hair, tugging the mass of it out of my face, but allowing a few tendrils to curl free before I slipped on a pair of silver earrings. My favorite sneakers finished off the outfit.
I paused, hand on the doorknob, not sure whether or not I should tell my aunt I planned to leave. She’d told me to go, but I stopped before I made it to the door as it opened before I could touch it. My uncle appeared, surprising me as much as I surprised him. He stared at me for a second before he nodded and passed by me.What is the state of their marriage? Should I even want to know?
I contemplated it the whole way down to their granny’s apartment. As soon as I knocked, though, Julian flung open the door and tugged me into a hug.
“Sorry,” he said as he squeezed me. “I don’t think any of us realized you were really upset. We’re all kind of used to Phoenix.”
A laugh sounded in the distance. “Thanks,” the person in question said, and I recognized Phoenix’s voice.
“Well, it’s true.” Julian shrugged.
Jeremy pulled me free from Julian’s arms to give me another hug, his scent enveloping me. “I was the worst, outside of Phoenix. I’m sorry.”
“I’m always the worst,” Phoenix spoke again. He looked down at his phone, not at any of us, but for some reason, my gaze kept straying to him.
Barrett sat next to him on the couch. He held out a hand toward me in offer, so I took it, allowing him to tug me close until I sat in his lap.So easy. It should have been awkward. Instead, I melted into his arms as if I found my way home.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered in my ear. “It was supposed to be a great day. Instead, it was just fucked up.”
I leaned into him, reveling in his scent as Phoenix said, “I tried to apologize, and she didn’t take it from me. But I tried.”
“Thanks for getting her the phone,” Barrett said then sighed, his arms tightening around me. “I didn’t think to try.”
Abruptly, the inappropriateness of my position occurred to me, so I stood. “Where is your gran?”
Phoenix glanced up at me, his eyes locked with mine. “She’s out with her friends. They play poker every Saturday night.”
His dark circles spoke of pain, and my soul yearned to ease that exhaustion. I recognized them, oddly enough. My mother always looked like Phoenix, her gaze worn. I tilted my head, finding it interesting that I’d forgotten it about her.Why did she look so tired? Was it just the poverty?Her family had tons of money she could’ve so easily accessed, so why were there still so many questions?
And what was wrong with Phoenix? My hand itched to touch his face, to smooth across his brow.
I shifted from foot to foot in annoyance. I wasn’t going to ask him.Not now, anyway.
“We were just going to have some food delivered before you texted. You can order with us then we’ll go see Lily’s show.”
Lily—his school friend, the artist?
Phoenix finally glanced up from his phone. “Sushi. I want sushi. We’ll go out for that. Come on.” He stood easily, unfolding his length and towering over his brothers despite being younger. “You guys know it’s better when we eat it there.”
“He’s not wrong.” Julian nodded. “That okay with you, Alatheia?”
My stomach rumbled, but I didn’t confess I loved it. “Sure.”
I didn’t want to go back home, that was for sure.
