Page 18 of Chasing Sarah

Ten minutes later, I’m exiting the restroom with a pad in place and a new pair of pants and underwear.

Xander wraps an arm around my shoulder and kisses my head. “How does ice cream sound?”

My lip quivers as my emotions become too much to hold back.

“Great,” I croak.

* * *

The bell above the door chimes when we step inside the ice cream parlor.

My steps halt when I see my other brothers sitting at a table.

I look up at Xander who winks at me before making his way over to them. They each give me a wide smile, acting completely normal.

Colson pushes a cup of Rocky Road ice cream toward me as I take my seat.

“Thank you.” I smile tightly.

They eat their ice-cream and converse like today isn’t the worst day in existence since our mom abandoned us two years ago.

“How are you all so chill about this?” I ask, annoyance building.

They pause and lower their spoons.

“What do you mean?” Tommy asks cautiously.

I frown. “Are we going to pretend that –” I lower my voice and lean forward. “That Xander didn’t just come and pick me up from school…”

Instead of finishing my sentence, I raise my brows, letting them finish it for themselves.

They glance at each other in silence before four sets of eyes return to me.

“Do you want us to make a big deal out of it?” Colson asks.

Ronny smacks him on the back of the head. “Shut the fuck up.”

“Ow! What? I was just asking.” He groans, rubbing his head.

“Sarah.”

My gaze shifts to Xander who smiles softly.

“If you want us to talk about it, we can. If you want to pretend nothing is different, we can. You take the lead on this.”

I drop my eyes to the cup of my melting ice cream.

“I don’t have anyone to talk to about it that will know what I’m going through,” I murmur.

I have friends but none that are actually close to me because they want to be. They all want to be around my brothers.

“I can talk with Amy?” Xander offers.

Amy has been Xander’s on and off girlfriend for the past year. She’s nice. I like her, but wouldn’t it be awkward to talk to my brother’s girlfriend about my period?

I shake my head as the first tear falls.

The sound of chairs being pushed back fill my ears followed by four sets of hands wrapping around me.

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