Page 115 of Verses

“You’re such a brat. Let go of me!”

“You love it,” he said, releasing me, but flashing me a toothy grin. Although there was no mistaking that my sister and I were related, Derek and I had only a slight resemblance, and I figured that was because we had different fathers. Derek’s hair was blond, like the color of hay, with dark brown eyes and a firm jaw.

“Wolf, this is my brother Derek.”

“Nice to meet you,” my brother said, sticking out his hand.

Jesus. He was almost taller than Wolf. And his voice was deeper than last time.

“Likewise.”

Derek asked, “Where’s Kyle?”

Fuck. Great way to start the visit. “Didn’t mom tell you? We broke up.”

“No. She never said anything.” I figured she probably thought it was a phase, that I’d get back with him. After all, she’d done that with a few of her past partners, as if they’d had a rubber band around her, pulling her back whenever they felt like it. Smiling again, Derek said, “Or maybe I wasn’t paying attention.”

“Well, that’s why he’s not here.”

Moving his index finger to point to Wolf then me and back again rapidly, he asked, “So are you guys—”

Probably too quickly, I cut him off. “No. We’re friends. Wolf is in our band now.”

“You’re in Hayley’s band?Lit!” Needless to say, Derek was the only one in my family who liked our music. “Uh, guess I should let you guys inside.”

Teasing, I said, “You think?”

As soon as we stepped in the house, I was hit with the smell of roasting turkey. Although I’d never been a huge fan, the big bird had been a staple in my mother’s household for almost every holiday, and she had a special roaster she brought out every time for the occasion. But it always seemed to smell better than it tasted.

There wasn’t a soul in the living room but a football game played on the television anyway, and a modest Christmas tree decorated in multi-colored lights twinkled beside it. The windows were adorned with blue curtains open wide, and the interior wall above the couch remained a memorial—there were no less than thirty frames of photos, ranging from school pictures to ones of family, and even a shot of my mom all glammed up like a model. And I was sure the hallway was just the same—lined with dozens of framed pictures that no one noticed anymore.

“Whereiseverybody?”

“In the kitchen. Nobody came this year. Mom wasn’t even expectingyou.”

“Gee, thanks,” I said.

“Hey, just ‘causeIdidn’t miss you—”

“Yeah, yeah.” Ihadmissed the little devil. “Where can we put our gifts?”

“Under the tree? I think that’s where mom would want them.”

Shrugging, I glanced at Wolf, and we quickly placed what we brought—a jug of apple cider with a bow and tag from Wolf and a bag with the board game from me. There were only two small presents under the tree, so mine in silver paper stood out like a sore thumb.

“Mom, dad, Hayley’s here!” Derek shouted, announcing our arrival.

But I wasn’t going to wait for people to pile in the living room. “C’mon,” I said to Wolf as I pushed through the swinging door to the kitchen.

By the time we stepped foot in the kitchen, my mother was at the entrance. “You made it!” Looking at our loaded arms, she said, “You can put everything on the island.” No sooner had I done it than she was giving me a hug.

Maybe Ididmiss family sometimes.

“I didn’t think you would be here.” Letting me go, she looked me in the eyes.

“Well, my friend Wolf gave me a ride.”

Holding out her hand, she said, “Thank you for bringing my daughter. You’re staying for dinner, aren’t you?”

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