Page 80 of The Burning
I waited until she was at the door and almost in the house before I called to her. “Estelle?”
She turned back to look at me.
“Thanks for telling me all of that. I’m processing it, and I don’t want to say the wrong thing, but I do appreciate it.” I spoke as sincerely as I could. It was true and she didn’t deserve the confusion of whatever flustered words would come out of my mouth if I tried to make sense of all of it right then and there.
She nodded. “I’ll take it,” she said, her face breaking into a smile as she walked into the house.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Kael
I pulled my truck up to Karina’s curb. I had planned for Fischer and me to drive back to my place, but he was determined to bring that damn pie to Elodie, and anyway, it gave me an excuse to check on Karina. She likely would not be back yet if she had stuck around to nurse her father’s ego for a little while after her brother stormed out. Fischer and I had stopped by the PX for him to grab a couple things and I needed a new broom. We’d killed some time and to my pleasant surprise, Karina’s car was parked in the driveway when we arrived.
“I wonder what he said after I left. That motherfucker.” Fischer was still angry at his dad for his reaction to the news and had been fuming ever since.
“Let’s go inside,” I encouraged him, pointing to the porch light that I’d fixed several weeks ago.
We got out of the truck, and I chuckled as we walked across the lawn. Karina’s silhouette appeared in the doorway, an hourglass counting down the precious few days I had left before my time in Benning ran out. I’d become accustomed to those countdowns, of time running out, when I wasn’t sure if I’d even make it home, or through my next mission, or survive breaking down camp without being ambushed and blown to pieces. I used to believe I wouldn’t live to see the ending of things. But there she was making me more hopeful.
She was now in pajamas, a tiny green tank top that only covered half of her soft stomach, and little matching green shorts. If her brother wasn’t here, I would pick her up and carry her to her room, take off those barely there clothes, and let all of the anger and chaos disappear.
“Do either of you want some wine?” Karina asked as her brother approached the doorway and I stepped onto the porch.
Fischer shook his head. “Nah.” He held the pie in both hands and had been acting like the damn thing was a breakable piece of thin glass, barking at me to slow down over bumps and turns as I drove there.
“Just beer. If you have some.” I shrugged. I planned on staying long enough that the one beer wouldn’t do any harm by the time I had to drive back home—that was, if she didn’t invite me to stay the night, which was what I really fucking wanted.
Karina’s hair was tied back at the bottom of her neck with a different color of clip than she’d worn at dinner. This one was green to match her pj set and it made her eyes bright and almost mossy. God, she was beautiful.
“I’m so glad you’re here.” She sighed, hugging me right in front of her brother.
All pretenses were gone, and I was more than okay with that. I inhaled the scent of her hair and the sweet smell of her invaded my senses as I hugged her close.
“Are you all right?” I asked.
She nodded into my chest. “Just exhausted, but I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Hey lovebirds, where’s Elodie? She said she was home,” Fischer asked us.
Karina leaned a little away from me, but kept her arms wrapped around my back. “She’s in my room.”
“I thought for sure your dad knew he had enlisted.” I looked down at Karina.” I wouldn’t have said anything if I thought otherwise.”
Karina’s green eyes studied me. I wouldn’t blame her if she didn’t believe that.
“His reaction surprised me,” Karina said. “I thought he would’ve been ecstatic over him joining, honestly. I figured he would pat you on the back, Austin, and pop champagne. I’m confused why he acted that way.”
“Because he wants to be in control of everything and everyone. Once that slips from him, he doesn’t know how to handle it.” I responded, matter-of-factly.
“You really are a soldier who studies his enemy,” she said, playfully pinching at the small of my back.
“Did he say anything after I left?” Fischer asked his sister with his eyes closed.
She shook her head. “No, he went upstairs and never came back down. Like the coward he is. But . . .” She stopped for a second and looked at me. “I did have a moment with Estelle that was kind of nice. Confusing, but nice.”
“Dad’s a prick and now you’re bonding with Estelle. That’s so boring,” Fischer grumbled, leaning his back against the couch.
“I’m not here for anyone’s entertainment,” Karina said, looking at both of us.
