Page 88 of Rainbow Kisses

“Good. That’s…good. I know we’ve got a lot to do in the next couple of weeks. I don’t want to fall behind–”

“Honey, you’re not falling behind. Take a breath. I’m here because I’m worried about you.”

Yeah, I knew that. “I’m fine, Mom. Really.”

“So you’re not upset that Brian left?”

Why did I feel like a knife just slipped through my ribs? “No. Of course not. He has other responsibilities. His sister and Maddy need him.”

“Very true.” Mom nodded and made that face, the one that let me know she could see right through me. And maybe she could. But that didn’t mean I had to acknowledge it.

“And I’ve got more important things to worry about right now. We still haven’t made a decision about the team. And Erin and I need to do more work on the building to get it ready. The carnival is in less than two weeks and there’s still a lot of work to do there. Plus all the regular work for the team.”

“You do know there’s more to life than work?”

“I do have a life. I’ve got friends. I’ve got you and Dad. I’ve even got my brothers.”

“So you’re not missing Brian at all? Have you been in touch? I’d love to know how his sister’s doing.”

“I’ve been so busy, I haven’t had time to check in. And he’s got enough on his plate.”

Not to mention that every time I decided to text him back, I had no idea what to say. It hurt to think about it, and I didn’t want to hurt. So I just shoved it all aside.

Mom just nodded, like that was exactly what she’d expected me to say.

“Let me take you to lunch, hon.”

Another bright smile I didn’t really feel. “Thanks, but I’ve just got so much to do.”

After a few seconds, Mom smiled and nodded. “Okay, babe. Try not to work too hard.”

“Sure.”

Damn, I hated lying to my mom. But I hated this ache in my chest even more.

TWENTY-THREE

Brian

Rain

Sorry I haven’t texted back. Busy here. Carnival prep in full swing. Games this weekend. So much work

The text had come aroundeight this morning, almost a week after Maddy and I had moved back to Allentown with Linny.

I’d felt my phone vibrate but had been in the middle of loading a truck for a customer at the lumberyard. The manager had taken me back, no questions asked. He’d actually seemed happy to see me. He was a good guy, and the job paid decent…but I didn’t want to be here.

I thought I’d been able to hide that from Linny and Maddy. The three of us were living in Linny’s old apartment until I could find my own, hopefully close by. And hopefully soon because sleeping on the fucking couch had already messed up my back.For right now, though, it was all I had because I’d given up the lease on my old apartment.

Add my frustration at not hearing from Rain and it was getting harder every day to hide my frustration. Linny looked at me sometimes like I wasn’t hiding it well enough. I needed to work on that. She didn’t need to worry about me along with everything else on her plate.

I’d wanted to reply to Rain immediately, but the day had been busy. And when lunch had rolled around, I didn’t know what to say. I wanted to tell her how much I missed her and that I fucking ached to hold her. But that felt unfair. I still didn’t know what I should send back when I walked into the apartment to find my sister sitting at the dining table. The expression on her face… My stomach dropped.

“Hey.” I stopped to take off my boots. “What’s wrong?”

I breathed a little easier when Linny’s lips curved in a tiny smile.

“Nothing, actually. You have a visitor.”

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