Page 3 of The Secrets Behind Us

“Sounds good, Mom.” A warm feeling fills my chest at the idea of my mom taking time for me to make sure I feel welcome, even though she's sick.

We both head over to the counter where a plate is already filled with my favorite cookies, and I feel a pang in my chest again. The guilt is overwhelming sometimes. I push my feelings down and focus my thoughts back on my mom. The reason I’m back.

“How are you feeling, Mom?” I lean my elbows on the counter as I grab one of the cookies off the plate and take a bite. I moan as a burst of chocolate hits my tongue. The hint of cinnamon reminds me of my favorite season, fall.

“I’m doing good. Just tired from the chemo.”

As she is saying this, I look closer at her. She does look tired. She is thinner than the last time I saw her, as her clothes hang off her. The bags under her eyes are darker than ever, and her cheeks look more sunken in. There's a scarf wrapped around her head; her appearance a harsh reminder of what she's been going through.

I nod as she talks and swallow another bite of cookie I had in my mouth, which goes down roughly despite its moistness. “Well, I’m here to help now. Maybe you can take a nap if you’re feeling tired?”

She waves me off. “Nonsense. You're home. I’m not too tired to help you unpack.”

“Mom, Dad can help me unpack. I’m here to make your life easier. Please let me do that.”

“Maybe you're right and I should rest.” Her eyes light up with her next words as she claps her hands with her idea. “Then we can have a game night.”

“I would love that, Mom.” A wave of nostalgia hits me as I remember having game night every Thursday growing up. I push back the tears as I remember that I haven't been a part of game night in a while.

“Paddy, you need to help Hazel unpack. I’m going to take a nap,” she yells to my dad again who is in the living room, probably watching some type of sports game.

“Okay, Judy. Hazel, come on, let’s get you unpacked.” My dad's voice carries into the kitchen.

I walk over to my mom and give her a kiss on the cheek like any good daughter would do. “Have a good nap.”

As I walk out into the living room to start unpacking my car, my phone dings. My heart drops as I realize it's an unknown number. This is what I’ve been dreading.

Unknown number: I know you're back. I’m watching you. Make sure you continue to stay away from Dexter.

Chapter three

Dexter

Aknock on my door catches my attention as I’m finishing up washing the dishes from my solo dinner. Just like every other night. I place the dishes back in the sink, grabbing the hand towel off the counter to dry my hands.

A knock comes again, and I shout, “I’m coming.”

The knocking becomes excessive. I roll my eyes as I swing open the door a little harder than necessary. Of course, the two bastards who I call brothers, Mateo and Alex, are standing on the other side. Mateo is standing there with his arms crossed over his chest, a frown on his face, as if just coming to my apartment put him out.

Alex is the complete opposite. He’s leaning against the door frame, relaxed as if he hasn't got a care in the world. He looks at me with a huge grin on his face and a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

Shit, he’s up to something.

“What do you two want?” I blurt out as I swing the dish towel out, hitting Alex in the chest.

They both ignore me and barge past me into my apartment. “Why don’t you guys just come on in, make yourself at home?” I sigh heavily.

Of course, Alex doesn’t miss a beat as he drops his butt down on the couch and props his feet on my coffee table. “You’re coming out with us,” he states matter-of-factly as he props his arms behind his head.

“No.”

“Yes, you are. We're going down to Gary’s Place. We'll have a drink and see if we can find any ladies.” He winks and rubs his palms together.

"You want to do this?” I turn toward my older brother Mateo.

“No, but he does have a point. All you do is work, fight, and hole up in this apartment. Even I get out more than you do.”

"Yeah at least grumpy pants here comes to our family dinners."

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