Page 39 of Crying Shame
“Hard to imagine he’s in college now.”
We took a step outside, and the air was cool but pleasant.
“When I left, he was only slightly bigger than Sam is now.”
I took her hand and squeezed it. “Wait for Christmas. Everybody will be here then.”
She sighed. “I never forgot about Evan.”
My heart stilled. He’d been the funny brother who had an old soul. “What was the bond between you two?”
She took a deep breath. “He seemed to see what my life was like, the part about my parents that I’d been so scared to tell you. And he shared his popcorn.” She closed her eyes briefly. “I miss him.”
“He’ll always live in our hearts.” I wished it was that easy. My brother and she might have gotten serious if he’d lived. I might never have had a shot with her.
I needed to make things right. The fact that she'd waited so long to tell me about her parents meant I needed to be a better listener and more attuned to her needs.
14
Elon
The night air was magnetic, and the moon was almost full, casting light over the garden. Behind the house was the beach, and if I listened closely enough, I could hear the sound of the waves breaking.
My lips tingled to kiss her again.
I wanted more than distant memories of past kisses. The urge to taste her was overwhelming. However, I tucked my hands in my pockets and gazed at the garden. She squeezed my arm. “I want to go and check up on Sam.”
“Okay.” I took a step to join her.
She shook her head. “No, stay. I don’t want to interrupt him, just ensure he’s happy from a distance. I’ll be right back.”
One day, hopefully, she'd want to take me with her. “I’ll wait then.”
She smiled brightly and headed down the garden path toward the stables.
My heart beat faster. I took a few deep breaths and relaxed. She was already being wonderful with me.
My brother Charlie playfully bumped into me. I hadn't seen him coming as I was paying attention to Clarissa. “Where’s Clarissa?”
I cocked my head, wondering if he’d always held some sort of flame for her. Arman and all of my brothers at one point had acted as though getting her attention was some sort of prize. She’d avoided their nonsense, and everyone had grown up. But Charlie… he seemed interested in her. My skin prickled. “She’s checking on Sam. Why?”
He shrugged and smiled. “I need to confess that I’m watching the two of you closely.”
I hated the idea of getting into an argument with any of my brothers. “Why?”
Charlie leaned against the wall and stared at the sky. He let out a huff. “I’m a mess, and I’ve wondered what I’d do if any of the women I’d been with… was pregnant and I had no idea.”
I should have known he'd never make a move on Clarissa. None of us would ever betray each other. “I’m trying to fix things with Clarissa, and you keep popping up.”
“I like the two of you.” He sat down on one of the metal garden chairs. “But you two had a relationship. I don’t know if I've ever stayed in one place long enough to have even a chance at redemption.”
I took the seat opposite him and smiled. “You’re being serious tonight.”
He scooted forward in his chair. “Flying is fun. I love seeing the world while taking everyone on a life adventure, but I hate actually working for a corporation.”
This sounded more like Charlie. I sat back, “Baba warned that you wouldn't like it.”
“If I quit, he’ll be right.” Charlie rocked in his seat as we spoke about our father.
