Page 24 of The Transfer
I hesitate for a moment before walking inside. As I head to the kitchen, I can hear the blender mixing a protein shake for my brother. I stop and smile because on the counter is a Dr Pepper, a peace offering of sorts. Anytime we fight, Jordan always apologizes with one.
Jordan turns around, a little surprised because he didn’t hear me walk in, and immediately stops the blender. He grabs a shaker cup from the cupboard, pours his chocolate drink into it, then closes the lid before setting it on the counter.
Folding his arms, he gives me a nervous smile before looking me right in the eyes. “Hi.” I know he’s anxious because I’ve been giving him the silent treatment.
“Brother.” I respond icily even though we both know it won’t last.
“Listen, Rea, I just want to apologize. I’m sorry. I have only ever wanted to protect you from getting your heart broken. I know you liked Drew in high school, and I thought I was doing the right thing by keeping him away.”
“Okay, that was a crappy attempt at an apology, J. You can’t say you’re sorry and then defend yourself in the next breath. And as far as Drew goes, who are you to decide who I deserve?” I shoot back at him, and I know he’s ashamed.
Looking down at his bare feet, he mutters, “I am sorry.”
“That’s a better start,” I tease, so he knows that we’re going to be okay after, but this talk must happen. I’m not done. “But what you don’t realize is that by protecting me, you really hurt me. I thought Drew didn’t like me. I felt like I was being played and was a total reject. You kept the truth from me for years. I feel betrayed, and I’m so angry with you. You saw me break, and you had the answers all along.”
“No, Rea, no! That was not my intention. I never wanted you to feel that way. I didn’t know…I messed up. I messed up so bad. I was trying to keep you away from pain and heartbreak, but I realize I just made it worse.” Now he has a few tears coming down his face.
“I know,” I tell him. If I say anything else, I’m going to break down.
We stand there for a minute, then he rushes over and hugs me. I do break down and let all my sadness take me under. I let my twin comfort me while I cry for the girl I was and the woman I’ve become. Because from now on, I will make my decisions and own who I am.
I don’t know how long we stand there, but I pull back, wiping the leftover tears from my face, and I see Jordan doing the same.
“Are we going to be okay?” he asks, with fear in his eyes.
“We’re always okay. But Jordan, this ends now. I will no longer tolerate you being a gatekeeper. I have to figure things out for myself.”
He nods and goes to say something else, but his phone starts ringing, and that ends our talk.
He hugs me tight before answering with a concerned look on his face. He waves me off like he’s fine, so I go upstairs to my room and finish my homework.
A few hours later, I’m deep in a hockey romance book I can’t put down. My phone vibrates on my nightstand. When I open my messages, a smile fills my face as I power down my Kindle and snuggle into my blankets.
Riggs
How was your day?
Started off rough but ended up better
I talked things out with Jordan
That’s good. He was sweating it bad.
Yeah, he deserved it
How about your day?
Cloudy
Why?
I didn’t see my sunshine today
NINETEEN
RIGGS
As I’m driving home from the gym on Saturday morning, my phone rings. I see it’s my mom, so I pick up instantly. Dread fills me as I answer.
