Page 180 of Treacherous
Iknock, standing at Jaz’s front door. It swings open immediately. She looks me up and down, focusing on my eyes, which are probably red and puffy.
The two of us say nothing as she guides me to the lounge room. The first thing Jazmine does when I sit down is wrap her arms around my neck and hug me.
It’s the final straw.
Every sob I was holding escapes my throat, and the tears pour down my cheeks. Jaz pulls me closer, hugging me tighter than I thought was possible.
I can’t move–it feels like I lost part of myself. I was right. I could never survive losing Willow.
Jaz and I remain still, my ability to breathe properly finally returns. I lift my head up, looking down at Jazmine’s shirt, which is soaked with my tears. Fucking hell. I never thought I would be in this situation. I’m the one who is meant to help my sister, not the other way round.
“What’s going on, Jay?” Jaz says, her voice gentle.
“I’m in love with Willow, and she shattered my fucking heart so easily you would think it was glass.” The confessions roll off my tongue, and the surprise written on my sister’s face. I would be, too, if your brother were sleeping with your best friend.
“So, you guys were…” Jaz trails off. “What happened?”
I explain what unfolded between me and Willow. Jaz listens, never judging my feelings or offering advice until everything is off my chest. I lean back on the couch, covering my face with my hands.
Why is this happening to me now? We are guaranteed to be in the semi-finals for the Frozen Four. Willow was the first person I let distract me from my two goals of senior year: win the Frozen Four and sign a contract with the Los Angeles Lions.
“Stop,” Jazmine’s voice brings me back. “You’re overthinking and searching for a way to be in control again.”
I look away from my sister and her knowing gaze.
“It’s okay to have everything not figured out.”
I scoff. “You of all people shouldn’t be giving me that advice.”
Jazmine is type-A to the core and has a back-up plan for the back-up plan.
My twin glares at me. “Well, Theo has recently given me that advice, so it’s actually him telling you.”
That makes a lot more sense. Theodore Knight is the complete opposite of my sister, with a more ‘go with the flow’ outlook on life.
“I don’t understand. Why did she justleave?” My voice wobbles.
Jaz touches my shoulder, squeezing it in a reassuring manner. “Willow is…” My sister pauses, her eyes focusing on the ceiling. “This is not an excuse by any means, but Willow experienced hell in Nevada. I’ve been trying to convince her to move since sophomore year, yet nothing seemed to work. The guys tore her down any chance they got, and from a psychologist's point of view, that takes a toll on both someone’s mind and heart.”
Jesus Christ. I knew those assholes–especially Kyle Woods–were no good. I wish I could help Willow, show her I’m nothing like them.
But when I think about our past, all the fights we had, in some ways, I was exactly like those people who hurt Willow. Arrogant and controlling, despite believing I had her best interests at heart.
“Is there any way I can fix this?” I ask.
Jaz smiles softly. “Jayden, there is nothing more you can do. You have laid all your feelings out for Willow, so it’s up to her to decide the next steps.”
I groan, hitting my head on the couch as I slump further into it. Jaz’s laugh travels into my ears. I glare at her, which only makes it worse.
“Jayden, listen to me,” Jazmine says. “Relinquish the things you can’t control, and everything becomes easier.”
It’s my turn to laugh. “Where did you read that?”
Jaz waves me off. “Oh, some aspiration card.”
We embrace each other as we laugh, my smile shifting my mood slightly. No matter where I go, my sister will be there as a shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen.
As twins, our bond always seemed stronger than other siblings and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
