Page 76 of Heart Sick Hate

“No fucking fun.” I shake my head. “Fine. This way.”

He follows me to my room at the shop, and I shut the door behind him.

“You lose your phone?” Adam doesn’t small talk. Which I guess is better than Rhett always talking in circles around everything.

At least with Adam you know what you’re getting.

Each of the three of us brothers dealt with our mother’s death differently. While I became impulsive, indulging in anything and everything that felt good, bad, or otherwise, Adam did the opposite, shutting down almost entirely.

Until he met Lakeyn, I was convinced he was morphing into a full-on robot.

Now, at least he acts like there’s something that makes life worth living, even if he’s still cold to anyone who isn’t her.

Then there’s Rhett—I’m still not sure what to make of how he processed Mom’s death. Ever since I saw him standing over her body, with an unreadable expression, I knew something changed, I just didn’t know what.

He called it a religious awakening, but I was in that room. There was no God.

Only evil.

“Nope, got my phone right here.” I pull it out of my pocket and place it on the counter before I begin sorting through my sketches.

“Dad’s been texting you.”

“I’m aware.”

“You’re ignoring him.”

I shrug.

Adam lets out an annoyed huff.

While I’ve done everything to separate myself from the Kingsley name, Adam plays the role of my father’s son well. He’s a driven, more powerful version of him, amassing the family fortune and feeding our power. And while it used to be my father people feared, Adam has slowly taken over that role. Which is why he’s here now. Adam has the influence, in the community and in our family.

“There are some things you can’t avoid, Crew.”

“Like Rhett’s bullshit?”

“Like family.”

I can’t help but laugh. “When’s the last time I saw you at Sunday dinner, brother? If you want to preach family, why don’t you start there.”

“My time’s limited. Don’t question what I do with it.”

“That’s the point, I don’t care what you do with it.” I flip through a stack of sketches and find what I’m looking for, trying to ignore the fact that Adam won’t leave me the fuck alone. “It’s not my fault Rhett’s pissing off religious zealots. You guys handle your shit, and I’ll handle mine. Like it’s always been done.”

Adam leans against the counter, crossing his arms over his chest. “And what about Echo?”

I loosen my grip on the sketch before I set it down and turn to him. One look—the smallest tick of a smile—he knows he’s got me.

“What about her?”

“You’ve been spending quite a few late nights with Rhett’s girlfriend.” He lifts off, pacing the room now and scanning the artwork.

“Stalking me now?”

“You’re family, like it or not.” Adam stops in front of a picture of heaven and hell, and I wish it wasn’t how I feel inside. “Just because you don’t understand the risk in that, doesn’t mean Dad or I will let anything happen.”

“How verybig brotherof you.” I shake my head.

---