Page 89 of Grave Misgivings
I smirk. “Thought you didn’t believe in Hell, Z.”
“That was before you deep-throated my cock on the first shot, sunshine.” He gently smacks my ass as he opens the door.
For the first time in my life, I feel like nothing can take this feeling away.
Because for the first time in my life, I know exactly who I am.
After dinner,I move to clean up the dishes, but Zeb tries to stop me.
My mom smacks his hand away.
“If a man offers to do the dishes, Zeb, you let him!” she teases and he tenses, as Katy gets up to help gather glasses.
“Walk with me,” she says under her breath as I clutch the plates to my chest.
I follow her into the kitchen, while my mother and father talk to Zeb, noting through the window that he’s blushing.
“What do you think you’re doing, Geo?” My sister’s voice is solid, unwavering. Serious.
I turn the water on, sudsing up the sink with dish soap. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I lie.
“Bullshit. I knowsomethinghappened between you two because I haven’t seen Zeb this happy since you two played together.”
I tense at her words, glancing at her as I hand her the first dish.
She takes it bitterly.
“Can’t two people just... connect again?” I say carefully.
Katy glares at me. “You know he’s in love with you, right?” Her words are like knives.
Love?
I look out the window, watching how my mother sets her hand on his arm, how my father animatedly talks, and how Zeb smiles.
“And you “patching shit up” with him, acting like old times... it’s not fair to him. It’s not fair to lead him on and let him think you have feelings when you?—”
“I would never hurt him, Katy.”
Her eyes glisten. “Maybe not intentionally,” she says softly.
She dries the last dish, flashing her gaze at me.
“But you’re notstayinghere, Geo. This—” She motions around the kitchen, “is not your life. It’s his. And he worked really fucking hard for it.”
Her words settle on me like a steel beam.
“And I don’t want to have to put him back together again when youleave.”
Her eyes water.
“And you’re going to leave, because that’syourlife. Hollywood, world tours, studio recordings, chasing the charts and living the dreamyouworked so hard for.”
I don’t have the chance to respond before Zeb opens the door, my mother trailing in behind him.
Katy’s entire demeanor shifts as he pulls out his phone, showing her something, and she grins happily.
I watch the two of them together, and can’t help but feel envious.
