Page 40 of Shadow

“Um, I-I don’t think so?—”

“We have room. We’re taking the snowmobiles out. You can drive mine if you want,” Stitches continued. I knew he was trying hard to make her feel better. It was out of character for him, and if she’d been anyone else, he’d not bat an eyelash at her issues. I knew he was doing it because I cared for her so much.

“If it’s OK, I think I’d like just to stay home?—”

“It’s not OK. You’re going,” Church said. “New rule. You get your ass out of the house for at least two hours a day outside of class hours.”

I frowned at him. I thought she’d argue and cause a scene since she hated to be told what to do. Church gave her a pointed look, and she ducked her head again.

“I’ll go,” she mumbled.

“Cool. Ashes picked up this new torch he wants to try out. Pretty sure he’s going to end up setting a venue on fire or something to watch the people run out screaming, surrounded by the smoke.” Stitches stuffed more food into his mouth. “He’s already done that shit once before.”

He and Church continued to talk, and I stole looks at Cady, who ate slowly. When she was done, she cleaned her plate at the sink before putting it away.

“I’m going to shower,” she murmured. “Then turn in since I have classes tomorrow.”

When Church didn’t protest, she walked around the table to leave. I got up and stopped her, pulling her in for a hug. She fell into it instantly, sniffling.

“I love you, Rina,” she whispered, hugging me tightly. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I nodded and released her, watching as she wiped her eyes and left the room.

Sighing, I retook my seat. Church reached out and held my hand tightly as I grabbed my fork. I looked over at him to see his green eyes wavering.

He seemed sad. Or worried. I couldn’t tell which, and that terrified me more than anything.

STITCHES

“What are we going to do?” I asked Church later that night. We’d put Sirena to bed an hour ago. She’d gone with a sad smile and a kiss for each of us before snuggling deep into Church’s mattress.

We’d returned downstairs to talk.

Church had told me about Cady and Sin the same day I found him in Cady’s room. It had been a few days, and it helped calm me. I’d been so pissed about the news that Church had to pin me to a wall so I didn’t tear up the house.

Then again, I knew some shit went down because I knew Sin, and the Sin in that hospital bed wasn’t himself. It explained why he didn’t want to video chat with Sirena the day she’d called him. If I knew him like I thought I did, he would withdraw and wallow in his self-pity.

“Sin will be home Saturday,” Church continued. “Cady isn’t going to leave anytime soon. This house is going to get really fucking tense.”

I grunted. “I’m not looking forward to it. What do you suggest?”

“That we protect Sirena. I don’t need her fucking broken over this shit. I told Cady she needs to tell her, but I don’t think she will.”

“It’s hard to tell your sibling you fucked her person,” I muttered. “I mean, look how you reacted all those months ago when you thought I was fucking Sirena while you guys went out to burn.”

He scowled at me. “This isn’t like that. You know Sin. You know how…crazyhe can get when it involves feelings. And this? It’s going to fucking kill him. We need to be ready to deal with his meltdowns. He’ll be in the same house with her.”

“So what do you want to do?”

“I honestly don’t know.” Church scrubbed his hand down his face. “We need to talk to Ashes about it, though. He’s always filled with ideas that keep our asses grounded.”

I lit a joint and took a deep hit before passing it to Church. I watched him smoke for a few minutes before he handed it back. He settled in his chair while I let my head rest on the back of the couch as I finished off the joint.

“You going tonight, or do you want me to?” I asked, staring up at the ceiling, high off my ass.

“I’ll go. Sleep in my room with Sirena. I’m sure Ashes will join you.”

I nodded. “Yeah, man. Don’t have to bend my arm.”

---