Page 122 of Haunt Me

“I can’t go in,” I murmur to James, hoping that Mom won’t hear—she does, of course.

“Do you need more time, Zay?” she asks me.

I nod. “About four more years,” I reply, “just to wrap my mind around it. Actually, I need to go back in time and prevent myself from being a blind moron.”

Mom is rubbing my back in circles. It helps, but not enough. My heart is beating a mile a minute and there’s a boulder lodged in my throat, preventing all air from getting in. Or out.

“If I were Eden’s dad, I would hit me in the face,” I murmur.

“Well, that can be arranged,” James sniggers, but his voice is strained. “Do you want to go in already punched? Maybe that will soften him up.” He’s trying to make me laugh, but it’s not working.

“Right. We can’t keep them waiting any longer,” I say.

“Them?” James asks.

“Her sisters are going to be there as well,” I reply and he tries to laugh again, but he is starting to look petrified now. Good. We match. “I mean, it’s just going to be the family. Us three and Eden’s dad. And Eden’s murderously-inclined sisters.”

“You sound nervous,” James observes.

“I am so nervous I could throw up,” I reply.

“Is there anyone in this house that you’re not terrified of, baby?” mom asks me, and I could just hug her right now for making me smile.

“Eden,” I reply at once, and then I think better of it. “Actually, she might terrify me most of all. I’m not sure it would be good for her to be here right now.” I called them from the car, and I think they might have decided to keep her away from me for now. I agree. “We’d better do… this, whatever it is, without her.”

“That’s my boy,” mom says. “Terrified of the girl he loves. That’s the way we do it in our family.”

With that, we climb the stairs and ring the bell.

There, it’s done. There is no turning back now.

I try to take a deep breath and almost faint in the process. My brother’s arm on my shoulder is the only thing holding me upright.

The Elliot sisters chat room

Manuela: Hurry, they’ll be here any minute.

Eden: I’m not coming. I can’t. It’s too much.

Faith: You don’t have to come down, you can stay up in your room. We’ll be there. They are only coming to meet Dad anyway.

Eden: No, wait, I’m coming after all, just give me a second.

Manuela: I’m nervous too, guys, but I’m sure we’ll all feel better once we’re together in the same room. Is his mom coming too?

Faith: Yeah, and his brother. Isaiah texted me and I forwarded it to the chat, did you not see it?

Eden: I’m not coming.

Manuela: Oh, Eden… I hate that you’re under so much pressure. What can I do? Tell us what’s going through your head now.

Eden: Enough love.

Manuela: What’s enough love?

Eden: A new song I wrote for Isaiah. We wrote it together. Top secret, by the way, don’t let word get out until he releases it.

Faith: That goes without saying.

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