Page 124 of Love Me Reckless

“What about your bungalow?”

“I think I need to be around people right now.” She rests her head on my shoulder.

“My place is an option too.”

“Thank you.” Her heavy sigh tightens the knot in my chest.

I slide my arm across her shoulders and hug her close. “One day at a time, okay?”

“Okay.”

I lift her chin to mine for a soft kiss. When our lips part, she glances up at me, her sweet face so earnest and kind. A surge of protectiveness washes through me, but I bite it back. It’s too soon to feel this way.

On the drive to my place so I can pick up a few things for work tomorrow, she shares some of what she learned from her brother about what’s ahead for their mom. I secretly hope that part of it includes a chance for Kirilee and her mom to rebuild their relationship. Though what her parents have put her through is awful, I don’t love the idea of Kirilee being estranged from them. It makes me think of my mom. I would give anything for just one more day with her.

When I pull into my driveway next to Carson’s truck, I’m so lost in Kirilee’s story that it’s not until I jump down that a detail about my room upstairs snags my attention.

“What’s wrong?” Kirilee asks, following my gaze.

“My light is on in my room,” I say. “I probably left it on.”

Old fears start to crawl up my spine. My roommates wouldn’t go in my room, would they?

I hurry to the passenger side so I can help Kirilee, my boots crunching on the hard layer of snow that froze overnight.

Hand in hand, we walk through the garage and mudroom. The noise from the TV and my roommates bantering in the living room gets louder as I reach for the door, but when we step into the house, there’s a voice mixed in that shouldn’t be here.

“Hey!” Carson cheers just as I lock eyes with Sheldon. He’s on the side of the couch next to Carson and Brody, holding a bottle of Budweiser. The TV is playing a pro basketball game, the volume loud.

“Big brother!” Sheldon stands and opens his arms in some kind of welcome gesture.

I’m not buying it.

Kirilee’s hand tightens in mine. I try to ground myself in her touch. “Sheldon, wow. This is, uh, a surprise.”

“I was passing through. Thought I’d stop in for a visit.” He walks over, and I realize he’s coming to hug me.

“Wow.” I let go of Kirilee’s hand to meet my half-brother. It’s been almost two years since I saw him last. Not much has changed, though his hair is growing out from his prison buzz cut and his skin looks practically translucent, like he’s been spending a lot of time inside.

Alarm bells start blaring in my mind.

We hug, slapping each other on the back. His body feels wiry and there’s nothing warm about his embrace.

From the TV, the ref’s whistle shrieks followed by rock music. A time-out, maybe.

Could I get one of those right now?

We step back, and Sheldon extends his hand to Kirilee.

She gives him a smile and cradles his hand with both of hers as I fumble, “Shel, this is Kirilee.”

“So great to meet you!” Kirilee says to him.

Brody passes us on his way to the kitchen. “You guys wanna watch the rest of the game with us?”

“Tara’s on her way over,” Carson adds from the couch. “We’re making stir fry for everyone. You and Kirilee want in, we can totally make more.”

Everyone,huh?How long has Shel been here? “Uh, maybe.”

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