Page 20 of His Ruin
“Good night, Mom.”
She flicks the light off on her way out, but I can still hear Dad screaming through my closed door. I sink lower under my covers, turning to face away from the source of the sound, which echoes like a haunting song. As an hour trickles by, my eyes begin to grow heavy as the screaming finally stops. I’m teetering between sleep and wakefulness when my door clicks open softly.
Warm light from the hall bathes me, casting a slanted glow across my wall. I don’t move as the door closes a few seconds later, and steps near me. The bedding rustles as Kaden slides under the covers with me. His body molds to mine as he wraps an arm around my chest tightly, squeezing me to him.
“I’m sorry, Sunny…”
His apologies have gotten better, at least when it comes to me. They no longer lack depth and are edged with sincerity. It almost makes me forget what he did…
I turn over, and he moves back to let me as I face him. “Why did you do it?”
I can’t see his face in the darkness, but I can tell he isn’t looking at me. There’s a pause before his whisper fills the space between us. “Don’t ask questions you won’t like the answers to.”
I frown, my brows drawing close. “What do youmean—”
“Can’t you just accept my apology and move on?” My brother bites.
I sit up a little, my hand tightening into a fist before I use it to push his chest. “You put a boy in the hospital, Kaden!”
He snatches my wrist quickly, leveling our noses. “And I would fucking do it again, Melody! I would do it a hundred times over if it meant keeping you safe—”
“Safe from my first kiss?!” I ask in outrage.
He shoves me back, leering over me. “No kissing.”
I scoff, shaking him off me, but it’s no use. “You can’t stop me!”
“You’ll eat those fucking words before I see another boy kissing you.”
I gasp, something sparking in my chest. It’s a small flame being fanned by whatever is happening between us. It’s completely familial. It has to be.
I shake myself out of my trance before shoving him back and turning to face the wall. “Go to bed, Kaden.”
He angrily slaps a hand over my extra pillow, the whole bed shaking as he sinks lower into it. We lay silent for a few minutes, both of us stewing in the argument that just ensued. An apology sits on the tip of my tongue, but I bite it back.
Why would I apologize to him?
Maybe it’s because I feel bad for yelling at him right after Dad. I kicked him while he was already down.
Or maybe it’s because hearing him say he doesn’t want another boy kissing me gave me butterflies.
No. That’s horrible.
I shouldn’t be thinking of things like that. He’s my brother.
Kaden caves first, he always does, as he wraps his arms around me for a second time. He squeezes me tightly, whispering in my ear. “I’m so sorry, Sunny.”
I don’t face him. “I’m sorry too…”
“Don’t apologize for something I did.” He mutters into my hair. For the first time, he kisses my cheek gently, his warmth spreading through me. “I’m sorry.”
I place my hand over his, intertwining our fingers. “It’s okay. Go to sleep.”
“Do you forgive me?” He asks.
I nod.
He settles behind me, pleased with my response, before sleep tugs us under.
