Page 70 of Together We Burn
“But—” I started, then he cut me off.
“Stefany, there’s nothing more we can do today. Chris will be here in a few days, and you still need to eat.” He picked up my braid and twirled it around his fingers. “We’ll get your car from the side of the road and take you home for a change of clothes, okay? Then I’m going to feed you.”
Chapter twenty-seven
Stevie
“Whyareyousonervous to see your sister?” Jake asked, watching me pace back and forth in the living room. It had been three days since Alex had convinced Chris to stay with us, and she was due to arrive any minute.
We’d agreed they would arrive at my house first, where Alex could take Nate out back to play with Rocky, while Jake and I explained the situation with our mother to Chris. I hadn’t wanted Jake here, but Alex and himself thought it best I had back-up.
This was the first time I’d see my baby sister in eleven years. She had changed, grown up, and had become fiercely independent compared to the scared little thirteen-year-old I’d left with Alex’s grandmother.
“What if she doesn’t like the person I’ve become?” I whispered, regretting voicing my insecurity so freely. Sure, little by little, I’d let my walls come down with Jake, but it was still a struggle. Especially anything to do with my sister, my guard was up, hackles high, and I’d stab anyone who came between us.
“Stefany,” Jake said in this smooth, calming voice. I didn’t look at him, instead turning on the spot and beginning my march to the other side of the room. “Stefany, look at me.”
He’d appeared before me, taking hold of my shoulders and halting my steps. Tipping my chin up, he cupped my jaw and swiped his thumb across my cheek.
“She knows who you are, baby,” he said.
Alex had been in contact with Chris regularly throughout the years, keeping her updated with everything going on in our lives while checking up on her and Nate. That little tidbit he also chose to keep to himself.
But over the past three days, Jake and Alex had come to some sort of ceasefire, which meant Alex had disclosed some stuff about his little conversations with Chris, and in return, Jake had agreed to keep it confidential, saying Alex would come to me when he was ready.
Whatever. At least they were civil to each other.
Jake also hadn’t left my side. Apart from going to the office for a few hours in the morning to sign stuff off, he’d return early in the afternoon and work from home. The urge to stab or maim him hadn’t surfaced like I always thought having a guy in my space would do. My cold black heart actuallyenjoyedhis company. The way his hands always ended up tangled in my hair when he was sitting next to me or the way he held me while we slept. And I did not peg myself as a cuddler.
Urgh, I was turning into such a girl, it was disgusting.
Alex’s head popped around the door frame as the sound of a car driving along gravel filled the air.
“They’re here,” he said, turning the baseball cap he was wearing backward. I looked up into Jake’s eyes and inhaled. He dipped his head and brushed his lips against mine.
“Don’t worry, Stefany,” he said, running his hand down my arm to thread our fingers together, then tugged me toward the front door where Alex was already waiting on the porch.
This was ridiculous. Why was I so nervous? Chris was family, my baby sister. There was nothing to panic about.
The driver’s door opened, and out stepped my sister.
My heart flew to my throat as I took in this woman before me. She wore a white tank top tucked into distressed denim shorts with a sheer, long green shirt thing over it. She’d finished it with brown-coloured gladiator sandals that wrapped up her calves. She looked stunning, all chic and boho in a cream hat that hid her long black hair flowing down her back in loose waves similar to mine. When a gust of wind caught the hat, red strands from her bottom layer flipped across her face, making her laugh and throw her arm over her hair, pushing it from her forehead.
Alex sprinted down the porch steps and chased after the hat that had barrel-rolled across the driveway. Chris closed her door and looked directly at me, smiling as bright as the sun sparkling on her face.
Placing his hand on the small of my back, Jake nudged me forward. On unsteady legs, I descended the stairs, walking until we were face to face.
“Stefy,” Chris said, her voice smooth and completely the same as when we were kids. She opened her arms wide and engulfed me in a tight hug, wrapping her arms around my back and squeezing. She’d grown–obviously–and was now the same height as me.
My shoulders tensed until she said, “I missed you so much.” And then I relaxed, returning her hug.
“Munchkin,” I whispered, my voice thick with the stupid emotions that had become a daily nuisance. The slam of a car door broke us apart as Chris popped her hip out and rested her hand on it.
“Nate, what did I say about slamming the door?” she chastised as he pulled his backpack up onto his shoulder.
“Sorry, mom,” he said, lowering his head. She held out her hand and beckoned for him to join us. Grabbing his arm, she pulled forward and wrapped hers across the front of his shoulders, holding him to her chest as she ruffled his hair as he squirmed in her hold.
“Mom,” he whined, wriggling against her as she laughed. Stopping, she kissed the top of his head and beamed.
