Page 10 of What are the Risks
The only person who was likely still in bed was my younger brother, Stefan. The guy could sleep through anything.
The instant I opened the door, Savannah’s twins appeared out of nowhere and threw themselves at me, one attaching to each of my legs. They were both still in their pyjamas, their bed hair messy and wild.
I reached for their arms, tickling them both. “Get off me, you little rascals.”
They giggled in sync, tightening their vice like grasp until my leg hairs pinched. If my receivers’ grip was half as good as theirs, my job would be a hell of a lot easier.
The heat was cranking inside, which wasn’t ideal straight after a run. I untucked my tee from the back of my shorts and wiped it across my forehead. The twins would be covered in sweat soon enough if they didn’t let go.
“Kids,” Savannah shouted from somewhere. “Breakfast is ready. Nanna made you pancakes.”
That did the trick. They loosened their grip and scurried off to the kitchen.
Taking the opportunity to escape, I trudged up the stairs, where it was still quiet and the heat wasn’t blasting in my face.
As expected, Stefan’s door was the only one closed. It must be nice having zero responsibilities.
With my AirPods still in, I sank to the floor and worked through my post-run stretches. I was at the point in the season where my body constantly felt sore, no matter how much recovery I did.
I’d forgotten what it was like to live without aches and pains. Even in the off-season, some of my niggling injuries never went away. And if they did, the summer camps or programs I attended always had them flaring straight back up.
Just as I was wrapping up, Stefan’s door cracked open and he ambled out of his dark room. His hair was as chaotic as the twins’ and he was dressed in nothing but a pair of plaid pyjama pants.
Apart from the same chestnut locks, Stefan and I didn’t share any similarities. He barely scraped six-foot, and he much preferred watching football than playing it.
Lucky I had Brady for that.
“Morning,” I said, taking out my AirPods. “Late night?”
He’d slipped out after dinner and I hadn’t heard him come back. He’d gone to The Dime, a bar in town known for turning a blind eye to college kids and their fake IDs. I’m assuming Stefan must’ve had one, considering he was still a sophomore.
I’d covered for him when he mysteriously vanished before Mum pulled out Scrabble. Savannah had done the same for me when I was younger, so I figured it was a rite of passage.
“A lot of people from high school were there,” he mumbled, stifling a yawn. “I guess everyone is back in town for Thanksgiving. I went the night before too and saw that Noah guy.” Stefan paused, stretching his arms above his head. “Is he still with Ruby?”
“Yeah.” I sat up straighter. “What makes you say that?”
Stefan shrugged. “He was kind of all over some chick.”
I shot to my feet. “He was cheating on Ruby?”
“No,” Stefan hurriedly answered, suddenly seeming much more awake. “I mean, I didn’t see him hook up with her or anything.”
“Whatdidyou see?”
Stefan rubbed his eyes, as if it would help him to remember clearly. “Nothing, I guess. He was just kind of acting like he wasn’t in a relationship.”
“What the fuck does that mean?”
Stefan shuffled back at my sudden change in tone. I’d been scaring the poor kid his whole life, but I couldn’t help it – nothing lit a fire under me faster than Ruby, and if I had to beat a better explanation out of my brother to get to the bottom of the truth, I would.
In high school, when people heard Ruby cheering me on from the stands, they’d assume she was my girlfriend. If the opposition then tried using her to trash talk me, it never ended well... for them. I didn’t mess around when it came to her.
“Some chick kept touching his arm, and I saw him touch her back a few times. That’s all.” Stefan helplessly shrugged, seeming agitated. “I’d been drinking, so maybe I got it wrong. Forget I said anything.”
*
Only I couldn’t. Even as I showered, then got dressed, then helped Mum finish off the table settings. And when Ruby walked into my house later that day, I was convinced she’d be able to see it all over my face.
