Page 4 of Holidays and Handcuffs

Dawdle? I’m on my way to work, but I guess that doesn’t matter. I’m twenty-three years old and she still talks to me like I’m twelve, like I don’t have my own life to live. Of course, she doesn’t see it that way.

I swallow the lump in my throat. “I’ll be there soon. I just need to get to work first—”

“I don’t care about your job, Emily! Your brother needs you. Youowehim this. You exist to save him, remember?” Her words pierce straight to the heart. I’ve heard them all my life, ever since I learned I was born for this purpose, to be his savior sibling.

My chest tightens. Of course, I remember. It’s the same thing every time. Billy gets sick, and I’m the solution. Always.

“I’ll be there,” I say quietly, ending the call before I lose control of my voice. My fingers tremble as I stuff my phone back into my purse. I need a second to breathe, to clear my head, before I head to the hospital.

There’s a small coffee shop just ahead, and I veer toward it, hoping the caffeine will help give me the boost I need to face my family.

As I drive to the coffee shop, my mind races. A kidney transplant? Billy might need my kidney. Of course, it would be mine. Everything always has been, hasn’t it? The same brother who always took everything without asking.

My parents' attention, their love, my childhood. Now, another part of me. It’s not like I get a say in this. My parents have already decided that my life belongs to Billy, just as it always has.

Ten years ago, Billy was locked up for something my parents won’t even talk about. No matter how many times Iasked, they’d just wave me off. Their focus was on getting him out of prison, nothing else mattered. Five years he spent in there, and during that time? I was invisible. They never even saw me.

I remember when I got my first period. Mom wasn’t around. She was busy with Billy’s latest parole hearing. It was my best friend’s mom who handed me my first sanitary pad and explained what to do. Not my own mother.

Now, five years after Billy’s release, they’re still hovering around him. Catering to his every need. Treating him like he’s some kind of miracle child that needs to be preserved at all costs. And me? I’m just the spare. The backup plan. TheSavior Sibling, born to be the hero to my brother, whether I want to be or not.

As I pull into the coffee shop, my phone buzzes with another call from Mom, and the moment I answer, she starts screaming at me. “Why aren’t you here yet? Do you even care about your brother?”

“Mom, I’m on my way; I just want to grab a coffee,” I reply, trying to keep my voice calm, my hands shaking as I try to find a parking spot. My vision blurs for just a moment, and that’s when it happens.

Crunch.

The sound of metal hitting metal jerks me back into reality. I’ve backed into someone’s car.

My stomach drops as I whirl around, my heart sinking when I see the damage. A sleek black Police SUV. Perfect.

Chapter 2

Jack

Stepping out of my car, I scan the back bumper. No damage, just a tiny scratch. I straighten up, looking over at the car that hit me. A blue sedan. I can tell it’s a woman in the driver seat from the hair.

I stroll over cautiously to make sure she’s okay, but I stop in my tracks. The blonde hair, the cute button nose. It’s…it’s Emily. Emily Carter. Ten years older, but unmistakable. The little girl I always felt the need to protect, now a stunning young woman.

I can’t help but smile despite the twist in my gut as I think back to what I did to her brother. Does she know about it? I have to take my chances. I was just thinking about her minutes ago, and now she’s right here. That can’t be a coincidence. She’s sitting in her car, eyes squeezed shut, hands gripping the steering wheel, holding on for dear life.

I tap on her window, and she flinches. Slowly, she cracks it open just enough to plead, but her eyes are still shut.

“Please, don’t arrest me. I didn’t mean to—”

“You know, you have a knack for getting into trouble every time we meet.”

Emily’s eyes fly open, and a chuckle escapes me as I stare at her stunned expression.

“Jack?” she whispers, disbelief thick in her tone. The last person she probably expected to find here. Hell, I didn’t expect to see her either. At least not in the exact minute I was thinking about her.

I grin. “You’re looking at me like I’m a ghost, Princess.” I watch as a dozen emotions flicker across her face, confusion and recognition. “Are you okay?” I ask, looking to my cruiser and then back at her.

“I’m okay,” she stutters. She hesitates for a second, biting her lip. “How much damage did I do? Do you have to arrest me for hitting a police car?”

I chuckle, shaking my head. “There’s no need for that, Emily. No damage was done.”

Her relief is instant. “Are you sure?”

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