Page 42 of Under an Endless Moon

Anxious nerves rolled through my being. This would be a huge step for me.

I’d always lived with my brother. All the way back to when I was a little girl, and he’d stolen me away from the abuse of my father and had hidden me on the streets of LA. All the way through my teenage years and into adulthood.

It hadn’t been a traditional upbringing, that was for sure.

And when Nolan had come into his life, it’d made sense that I would continue to live with them so I could help take care of the tiny baby boy.

But I’d be a liar if I said it wasn’t more than that. A liar if I denied that my fears had held me back. I’d used River’s overprotectiveness as an excuse, acting as if I was the one who submitted to it because it was easier than dealing with him getting all surly and bossy rather than the truth that I’d hidden under it.

Used it as a shield.

As a way to keep from having to face the traumas of my past and stand on my own.

It was time.

Charleigh hesitated, her empathy and intuition kicking in when she asked, “Is this…something you’ve been thinking about?”

“I suppose I’ve been thinking about it for a long, long time. But now with you there? I can’t ignore it any longer.”

“This kind of breaks my heart,” she whispered, sadness and concern seeping into her tone.

“It doesn’t change anything between us.”

“But I won’t see you as much.”

Some of that sorrow invaded my spirit, too. “It just means when we do see each other, it will be a party. A time to celebrate.”

“What are you talking about? Every day with you living here is a party.”

“I know. I know. I am basically a blast, aren’t I?” I choked over it as I said it.

Charleigh let go of a soggy laugh. “The best kind of blast.” Then her voice dropped in affection. “The best kind of friend. The best kind of sister.”

Love pressed full. The first time I’d seen her walking past Moonflower, I’d known there was something about her. Something that had pulled me to her, like my heart had known she was going to become an integral part of our family.

“And you know I feel exactly the same about you.”

“I know, Raven. I know.” She paused for a second, then asked, “Are you still with Otto?”

“Yeah, I’m going to stay here with him for a couple days until I find a place of my own.”

“Okay, good.” Silence passed between us before she whispered again, “Are you sure about moving out?”

“Yeah. I think I am.” I fiddled with a loose thread on Otto’s comforter, contemplating before I asked, “Can you not say anything about this to my brother? I’d rather be the one to break it to him.”

“Of course, but you know the second I get off the phone, he’s going to demand to know how you are.”

“Tell him I’m officially blind.”

She giggled. “Can’t you just strike that memory from your mind?”

“Well, I’m still hoping the bleach helps.”

“Oh my God, stop,” she choked.

“I will never let you live this down,” I goaded, then softened. “Seriously, I’m so happy my brother has you and you have him. Please don’t feel bad or worry about me. I’m actually…excited about this.”

Also terrified, but I didn’t need to tell her that.

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