Page 18 of Actions and Reactions
It’s a memory I know I’ll want for the rest of my life, and if I’m honest, it’s not something I know will happen again.
I can hope all I want, but . . .
“Eli got an invite to some fancy computer place in Oslo,” Lex says, his voice drowsy.
“And what’s been going on there?” I ask, as delicately as I can—which is not at all.
We Jankowski’s aren’t known for our subtlety.
Evidence exhibit number one is the bright red blush that spreads over Lex’s cheeks.
“Nothing,” he says shortly. I know this isn’t something he wants to talk about, but . . .
“Lex,” I murmur, trying to convey with just that one word that I’m on his side, and that will never change.
“He’s fifteen and happy as can be going to his nerd school, and I’m doing what I want. Those paths will more than likely not cross, so I just have to fucking get over it.”
I don’t think it would help Lex in the least if I mentioned how he could get drafted to New York, since they have been slipping and could get a high enough pick for him...
Lex is already in high demand, just like I was when I was seventeen, but that comes with the name and his awesome stats. Getting drafted by the New York Demons is not completely out of the question, but I for one am hoping he gets drafted literally anywhere else...
Like he said, Eli is just fifteen, and he’s seventeen. They both need time to grow up, and it’ll be easier if they’re not in close proximity. What will happen once they are grown ups... well, there’s no way for me to know, but I have my suspicions.
“And do you think Eli will...get over it?” I ask, because I know damn well it’s not one-sided.
“I can’t worry about that.” That’s one way to shut down a conversation if ever I’ve heard it. “In any case, Eli told me Michael also knew what Mom was planning with Aunt Elle for this week, and he thought it’d be better if we had this time alone.”
“That’s bullshit. He’s part of the family, they both are,” I protest.
“I know that, and Eli knows we feel that way, but Michael still feels like he’s butting in sometimes.”
“For fuck’s sake,” I mutter. “Dad’s been trying so hard to make him feel welcome. He was even there when Wolf went to rehab last year,” I say. When our cousin finally admitted he had a problem, we were all there to support him in California.
Well, I only went for a couple of days since it was the middle of the season, but Mom moved her whole family to the other side of the country, and since Lex was already in Vancouver, he went a couple of times too.
“Maybe it’s about you, then,” Lex suggests mercilessly.
“What?” I sputter out the question and sit up. Then I almost topple over into the lake, but I find my balance eventually. And I also find Lex laughing at me. “Shut up,” I tellhim, though I start to laugh too, then splash water in his direction.
“I’m just saying, you don’t really hang out with Michael when you do see him, and you barely see him.”
“It’s not like I have a lot of spare time on my hands, Lex.” The excuse rings with a hint of uncertainty. “I don’t know what to say to him,” I cry out, giving up on making excuses, and lie back down. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to say to him. He’s a good dude, or Eli wouldn’t be as cool as he is. And hell, we both know Mom wouldn’t have married him if he wasn’t.”
“True dat,” he says like the brat he is.
“Just... I guess I’ll make a point of it next time I see him.”
“Good,” Lex says and closes his eyes once more. I follow suit because... well, there’s not much else to say, is there?
The peace lasts about thirty minutes until something inside me tells me to open my eyes again and look toward the gazebo at the end of our dock.
I see him then.
I can’t hear what he’s telling Mom before they hug, but I can see his big smile—the genuine one—and fear creeps in.
Just the thought that he might give me the boot tonight or tomorrow night or... whenever, it’s too much.
“Ivan,” Dad’s booming voice snaps me out of it. He’s walking down the dock toward our speedboat. “Lake talk,” he shouts.
