Page 8 of Poseidon's Island Flower

Chapter Three

Lani

“Pleasebecareful,”Isaid as I sniffed, trying to cover my brother in a beautiful flowered lei.

With a shake of his head, he laughed and pushed the vibrant flowers away. Despite me being eight years older, he was taller and equally massive. Dad joked he would surpass his height, and that was when we didn’t know little baby Koma’s genetics at all.

He was my parents’ later in life adopted baby.

Hell, Koma wasn’t even done growing yet. He’d just turned eighteen, and his football coach said he hoped to double him in size by the time his training was over.

I gripped the lei, trying not to pull my younger brother back to me for one more hug. I shouldn’t feel like this. I should let him go without guilt and just be excited for him and his journey.

That was what an older sister should do. Be happy. But I wasn’t, because deep down I knew I was going to be lost without him.

Over the years, he’d grown to be a wonderful person, brother, and friend. When our parents passed away, I treated him like my son. I watched out for him, made him his sandwiches, and cut them into cute little star fish. I sent him to school and brought him his schoolwork when he forgot it on the bus.

I was his everything for so long that I didn’t know what it was like to be anything else but a caretaker.

It was what I came to love.

“Aw, Lani, don’t cry.” I could feel the warmth of Koma's thumb as it ran across my cheek.

The wetness smeared across the skin, and I gripped the flowers tighter in my hand.

“I’ll be back at Christmas, I promise. That was what you made the scholarship program agree to, right? You were great at negotiations.” He smiled widely and his thick curly, hair fell into his face.

I nodded, sniffing. My little brother had grown up, and it was time for him to stretch his wings.

No more late night scary movies, no more reminding him to brush his teeth.

Where did the time go?

“Of course, I managed negotiations well. I am your sister,” I scoffed. “Had to make sure you were going to be taken care of, even when I’m not there.”

Because I babied the shit out of this kid.

Koma pulled me into one of his great bear hugs. It took me by surprise, but I would not let that hug go to waste.

I stifled a groan when he hugged me too hard, and before I knew it, he let go.

“Come on, Koma, the plane is waiting.” One of the university’s men slapped him on the back, nodding for him to board the plane.

Koma couldn’t take the lei I made for him. Despite Hawaii being part of the United States, taking exotic flowers to the mainland was a no-no.

Dumb idiots. It was freaking sentimental, and he was a full-blown Hawaiian native. Could they not make one exception?

“I’ll be fine, Nini.” Koma's warm smile spread across his face as he clasped my hand in his.

Frick, I’m gonna cry.

“Thank you for taking care of me. I know it was hard.” Koma slumped his shoulders and stared off into the distance.

Neither of us could look at each other with a dry eye. Not when talking about mom and dad.

“Now you can do what you’ve always wanted to do. Go to school like you were supposed to. Go on a damn date. I know you’ve held back because of me. Candice already said she’s got a line of contenders.” He smirked.

“You did not hold me back.” I wagged my finger at him. “Far from it. You helped me grow, Koko. I wouldn’t be who I am without you. We needed each other.”

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