Page 47 of The Cousins and the Brunette

The thought of Sebastian, Joel, and Braxton sent a warm sensation through me. Each one had wormed their way into my heart, breaking down my defenses bit by bit. But loving one man was risky enough; three seemed like a recipe for disaster. And yet, the memory of their touch, their laughter, their protectiveness made my chest ache with longing.

Kay rolled her eyes dramatically. “Duh. Sebastian, Joel, and Braxton. You like them, right? And they obviously like you. So what’s the prob?”

I felt heat rising to my cheeks. “It’s not that simple, Kay. There’s a lot at stake here.”

I fidgeted with the hem of my t-shirt, my mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. The silence stretched between us, broken only by the distant hum of hover-traffic outside. A pang of guilt hit me when I recalled my hasty exit during the heist. I couldn’t stop thinking about it, worrying on it.

I’d left without a word, driven by the need to protect them from Shoemaker’s wrath. But what if they saw it as another betrayal? The thought of losing them, of adding their names to the list of people I’d pushed away, made my throat feel tight.

“What if...” I said, then faltered. “What if I’m not actually cut out for their world, Kay? What if I’m just fooling myself?”

My sister’s exasperated sigh filled the room. “Brynn, you’re being ridiculous. You survived on these streets for years. You outsmarted Shoemaker. If anyone can handle the Elite world, it’s you.”

A sardonic laugh escaped me. “Yeah, because street smarts are so valuable at fancy galas and board meetings.”

Kay’s small hand found mine, her grip surprisingly strong. “Stop it. You’re smart, you’re tough, and you’re adaptable. Plus, you’ve got something those Elites don’t—real world experience.”

I squeezed her hand, grateful for her presence. I had missed her more than I realized. “When did my little sister get so wise, huh?”

We lapsed into silence again. My thoughts wandered to Sebastian’s gentle understanding, Joel’s fierce protectiveness, and Braxton’s infectious laughter. The memory of their touch and kisses sent a warm flush through me.

“I left them, Kay,” I said. “During the heist. I just...ran. Didn’t say goodbye. It was to protect them, but still…what if they hate me now?”

Kay shook her head. “No way. If they’re half as smart as you say they are, they’ll understand why you did it.”

Maybe, but the cynic in me, hardened by years of betrayal and disappointment, wasn’t so easily convinced.

I wanted to believe her, but doubt still lingered within me. “And if they don’t?”

“Then they don’t deserve you. But, Brynn, you won’t know unless you talk to them.”

How could I explain my actions? Would they even give me a chance? The thought of their rejection made my chest constrict.

“Yeah, but it’s not that simple.” I sighed. “You’re too young to understand adult complexities.”

Kay huffed, crossing her arms. “I’m not a baby, Brynn. I get it more than you think.”

Her indignant response almost made me snort. I studied her face, noticing the subtle changes that had occurred during our time apart. The roundness of her cheeks had started to give way to more defined features, and there was a tinge of maturity in her expression that hadn’t been there before.

When did my little sister grow up so much? Had I been so caught up in my own drama that I’d missed these changes?

“You’re right. I’m sorry, Kay. I shouldn’t misjudge you.”

She nodded, seemingly satisfied with my apology. “So, what are you gonna do about the Porters?”

I flopped back against the sofa cushions, staring at the cracked ceiling of Marla’s apartment. The faint smell of tonight’s dinner—some kind of hearty stew—wafted up from the community center below.

The Porters, their handsome faces etched in my memory like a bittersweet tattoo. The promise of a better life dangled before me, tempting as a shiny lure to a starving fish. But could Kay and I really swim in their world without drowning?

And did I even belong in their world to begin with? More importantly, did I want to? The life I’d always dreamed of for Kay and me seemed within reach with the Porters. And yet, If I never returned to then, the thought of walking away forever from Sebastian, Joel, and Braxton made my chest ache in a way I hadn’t felt since losing my parents.

“I don’t know…I sorta want to go back, to explain everything. But...”

“But what?” Kay poked my side.

I swatted her hand away, a ghost of a smile on my lips. “What if they’ve already moved on? What if I go back and they’ve decided they’re better off without me?”

The thought of Sebastian, Joel, and Braxton moving on without me sent a spasm of pain through my entire body. How could I possibly balance a relationship with all three of them? It seemed impossible, yet the idea of choosing between them was equally unbearable.

---