Page 57 of Haunted

We cried rivulets of tears and when we were done, we laughed until our bellies hurt.

“What the hell is going on here?” A deep voice boomed. Standing in the archway between the hallway and living room, was a handsome young man with features almost identical to Jade’s.

“Language, Jett,” she admonished. “Come meet my friend, Henley. Henley, this is my pain-in-the-ass brother.”

“So you can say ass, but I get fussed at over saying hell? The double standards are strong with you, dear sister.”

“When you become an adult, you can say whatever you like. Until then, deal with it.”

“Okay. I will.”

He moved like lightning across the floor, his long legs narrowing the gap between them in seconds. I lurched backward, my heart pounding out of my chest, when he leaped over the back of the couch, practically landing on top of her. I had no idea what was happening until she squealed with laughter. Only then did I realize he was tickling her.

“Get off of me, you big oaf.” She thrashed underneath him, pushing at his chest until he popped up off the couch.

“I win,” he said with a grin.

“Is this what it’s like to have a sibling?”

“Yeah.” She ran a hand through her hair, using her fingers to straighten the mess they’d made during their skirmish. “Even when he acts like a buffoon, I wouldn’t trade him for a million bucks.”

“I’d trade you for fifty.” He stuck out his tongue.

“Don’t you have homework to finish?”

“Nah. Did it during my free period.”

“Whatgrade are you in, Jett?”

“Tenth, although I’d be finished with high school already ifsomeone––” he glared pointedly at his sister “––had let me skip grades a few years ago.”

“I didn’t want you to miss out?” she pouted.

“Miss out on what? Being a nobody? Well, good job, sis. Mission accomplished.”

The tension in the room was unmistakable; so much so it made me feel like an interloper. My experience with siblings was nonexistent, even still, I knew they wouldn’t always get along. There was something different here though.

“Maybe I should give you two some space.”

“Please don’t leave. I’m being a jerk.” Jett’s remorseful eyes turned to his sister. “Sorry. I thought I was over it, but I guess I’m still a little salty.”

“You know I only did what I thought was best.” She stood, wrapping him in her arms.

At nearly sixteen years old, Jett had a good four inches on her, with plenty more years to grow. He returned the hug, then after planting a kiss on the top of her head, he stepped back. The fire I’d seen flaming in his eyes had been reduced to a smoldering pile of ash; doused by the love he had for his sister.

The ringing of my phone interrupted the moment, sending me scurrying down the hall to give them some privacy. Looking at the screen, my anxiety hit an all-time high, thinking something had to have happened for him to be calling after we’d made plans earlier via text.

“Keaton? Are you okay?” I rushed to answer.

“I’m good, but something came up with our case, so we need to push the celebratory dinner to seven instead of six.”

Car doors slammed and several muffled voicescould be heard in the background. Not wanting to keep him from his job any longer than necessary, I responded with, “Okay.”

“Thanks. I’ll see you in a few hours. Love you, baby.”

Wait. What?

He hung up before I had a chance to respond, but really, what do you say when the man you’re in love with professes his love for you for the first time over the phone? I have no doubt the words slipped out, but, seriously? What did I do with that?

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