Page 162 of Shades of Loyalty
I know Ineedto do this.
His car is there. Which means that he’s most likely home, if he’s not on a walk or something.
Which is good. Or bad. Honestly, I’m notso sure. I’m anxious.
Though it could just be the helmet, it’s getting harder to breathe. My chest feels… Tight, somehow.
I turn off my Harley and get off, finally being able to breathe some fresh air after I take my helmet off as well.
I stare at the door for a moment. Just stand there like a fucking idiot, debating if I should knock or just walk away. But I can’t just leave. I have already come here. Maybe he even heard me or saw me. How awkward would it be if I’d just leave again?
So, I walk up. Raise my fist. Knock. Once. Twice.
No answer.
I press my lips together, glancing at the window. There’s a shadow moving behind the curtain. I can tell he’s there.
Maybe he’s just hesitating. Maybe he’s as worried as I am. Then finally—
The door creaks open.
And there he is.
Andrew. My little brother. And fuck, he looks like shit.
His eyes are red. He’s wearing a baggy hoodie which definitely needs to be thrown in a washing machine soon. And his hair? It’s a fucking mess.
Like he’s been running his hands through it all night. He always does that when he’s stressed. It’s a little thing I’ve noticed over the years of being his big brother.
He doesn’t say anything. He just… stares at me. His lips don’t move, but the pain in his eyes tell me everything he’s too scared to say.
“Hey,” I manage to get out. My voice sounds terrible. Awkward. Too soft. Too careful.
But somehow, it still fits.
My brother narrows his eyes. “What do you want here? Don’t you have work to do?”
I swallow. “We should talk.”
“About what?”
“You know about what. Please don’t act like everything is okay. I mean…” I look at him, staring at his eyes, his hair, his clothes. “You look terrible.”
Fuck. Was that wrong to say?
What if he—
He smiles. Oh fuck, thank God.
“Thanks. That’s such a nice compliment,” he laughs.
I grin back. “I know. It’s nice, isn’t it?”
Andrew sighs before he steps aside. “Come in, let’s talk inside.”
I nod before I walk inside. I haven’t been here in months. Jesus. It still looks the same. Everything does.
With the difference that now, the happy family pictures hanging on the entrance wall break my fucking heart.
