Page 57 of Pucking Them
I stare at him in shock, however, because he has never looked as similar to his twin.
His normally slicked back hair is falling disheveled over his tired face. His eyes are red-rimmed. He is wearing matching t-shirt and joggers.
He looks fucking haunted.
The only difference is that Eden is staring so hard at the velvet bedding to avoid meeting any of our eyes that he could burn a hole in it.
“Are you okay?” Robyn asks.
Shay hesitates, glancing at his brother, before he replies, “Our parents have names. We didn’t even know what they were before. They were just the Man and the Woman. I haven’t worked out how I feel about that. I kind of wish I didn’t know they were real people: Nicole and Craig. Do they sound like the type of people who could…? But they make it sound like they didn’t hurt us.”
“They’re twisting shit.”
“I know.” Shay sounds painfully vulnerable. “I mean, of course I know but…what if they didn’t realize they were selling us to bad people? What if they do regret it? Love us?”
Eden slams his palm so hard down onto the bed that it shakes.
The rest of us jump.
I lift my brow at Eden.
I have never seen him look so murderous. He is shaking.
“Dee and I had a disagreement.” Shay swallows. “He doesn’t want anything to do with the Webbs. I respect that but…”
“Why don’t you let him speak for himself?” Robyn says.
Shay’s eyes widen. “I’m sorry, love. I wasn’t… It’s just he can’t… He kind of shuts down at times of high stress. It hasn’t happened for a long time.”
Eden can’t speak.
Eden turns away, crossing his arms. The tips of his ears are red with embarrassment.
“That’s fine,” I reply, calmly. “Neither of you need to discuss this if you don’t want to. Eden, you can email any of us or write what you want to say in the Guide.”
I’m guessing that’s how Eden has been communicating with Shay.
Eden’s hold on the Guide tightens.
He gives a short nod but turns back to face the rest of us. He scoots closer to Robyn on the bed.
I attempt to redirect attention by grabbing Shay gently by the scruff of the neck. “Were you a good boy and smothered yourself in arnica cream like I ordered?” I lean in and sniff dramatically. Then I sneeze at the menthol scent. “Maybe too much, cucciolo.”
Eden’s lips twitch.
“That’s because my brother is as mean as you when it comes to tending to injuries. He’d make a scary nurse.”
“Nurse Ratched.” Robyn catches Eden’s eye.
His lips twitch again.
Finally, he uncrosses his arms.
Shay fidgets with his hands. “I just don’t know why our…whythey…would come forward now? What if they really want to get to know us?”
Eden’s lips peel back into a snarl, before his gaze meets Robyn’s, begging desperately for backup.
I let go of Shay’s neck. Robyn grasps Shay’s hand, pulling him closer.
