Page 87 of Reconciling With the Rival

I shrug my shoulders. “I trust you with orgasms, and that’s it,” I say as I push the button.

I hear him laugh under his breath as he walks away from me, his middle finger up when I turn around in the elevator.

What the hell did I get myself into?

27

Nothing More Than Just A Fuck

This morning, I finallygot the call my apartment is going to be ready in two weeks.

Part of me is elated I can finally have my own space separate from my sister, but another part of me started to feel like this place wasn't so bad. I got comfortable, even though I knew I would be leaving at some point.

Well, that point has arrived, and I should be ecstatic, but I feel odd.

IknewI shouldn't have gotten used to living here. I think part of me is going to miss seeing my sister this much. It has been nice to be around her; it reminds me of home and when we were kids. I miss that—us when we were younger. Life felt so much more manageable when we were children.

Now, it feels like our family has slowly been falling apart for the past year. Not in the traditional sense, but since I’ve beenover here and not constantly checking in, it feels like they have no idea of anything going on in my life. That used to be so different, but growing up has that effect on you, I guess.

Your parents’ job is to raise you and send you out into the world, and hopefully, they do a good job so you feel prepared for all the shit life can throw your way. But nowhere was I taught what to do when the people you’ve looked up to your whole life suddenly have problems you can’t fix. No matter how much one is prepared, nothing punches you in the gut like seeing your parents hurt or in harm's way.

And nothing can prepare me for what might happen in the future since my dad chose not to have the surgery.

“Leo?” My sister shakes me out of my thoughts. “Are you okay?” she asks me, sitting on the couch next to me. I was watching a film, but I lost track of what was going on when I got the call about my place.

“I’m alright,” I lie.

She cocks her head at me. “Are you thinking about Dad?”

God, Alissa always knows how to read every one of my emotions. It must be an Irish twin thing.

“Yeah, I was,” I say as I pause the film.

“I know you’re worried, but there’s not much we can do from over here.”

“What if we—”

She smacks my arm. “I want to go back as much as you do, but they would kill us if we showed up out of the blue. Dad would think we came home just for him, and that would be worse. He hates when we worry about him.”

“He has to know we can’tnotworry about him. He’s our father, for fuck’s sake.”

“I know, Leo. But maybe Mum can get him to come around? She told me this morning she’s going to try and convince him at his next physical therapy appointment.”

That’s good, I guess, but it still doesn't help the fear coursing through my veins. “Yeah, if anyone can do it, it’s her.” My mother is a force of nature. Not only is she inspiring through her work ethic, but she’s the best person I know. I am who I am today because of her.

“So, what else is new? I feel like we’ve barely had time to chat these past few weeks,” my sister says, getting more comfortable on the couch.

“Yeah, we’ve both been working a lot. It’s a good thing we like our jobs, right?” I smirk at her, and she rolls her eyes at me.

“I bet youloveseeing Ella every single day. I wish I was a fly on the wall at your office. I wonder how your coworkers deal with the bickering between you two all day.”

“We don't bicker that much,” I tell her.

She shakes her head at me. “I don’t believe you. You guys have argued over the dumbest shit for years.”

“Well, if she would actually get to know me before assuming things, maybe we could have been friends.” It comes out before I can stop it.

“Is that why you hate her so much?”

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