Page 93 of Actions and Reactions
“He can sign for it.” She nods.
“Perfect, then you stay put and we’ll be back in a few.”
It takes us no time at all to pile the six boxes inside the elevator since the doorman helps out, and then Annie agrees to let us help her set up some of her stuff in the guest bedroom.
“But I’m going to be out of here as soon as I get a job and find a place,” she insists, and winces when her eyes land on Silas. He’s oblivious, focusing way too hard on the poster he’s sticking to the wall behind the big bed.
“Dr. Conway said not to rush your way to independence, so there’s no hurry, Annie.” His voice is placid enough, sounding so much calmer than anything he said during the summer.
Before, his tone was monotone or angry, or well... horny, but never calm.
I like that he’s sounding more like his old self.
Now I just need to see him become borderline arrogant, and I’ll know he’s fully back.
“I know, but I don’t want you to get sick of me.” I think she tries to sound teasing, but I see the pain in her eyes.
“Si never gets sick of people,” I reassure her. “If youannoy him, he’ll tell you, but he’ll never get sick of you.” When she looks at me, I know she’s hoping I’m telling her the truth, so I offer another smile as I stand, done connecting the standing lamp by the window. “He also isn’t a very charitable person, so he’s not doing any of this from that perspective if you’re worried about that.”
“That’s true,” he mumbles, and finally jumps off the bed to stare at the perfectly placed poster of... yes, The Storm.
Remembering what Si told me he wants, I don’t bite back my remarks.
“It’s really fucking weird that you like them enough to have them looking over you while you sleep,” I mumble.
“They’re gorgeous, built, talented, and I’ve been a fan of them all my life.” She points at me and frowns with a mock-threat. “Don’t you say a bad thing about The Storm in my presence.”
Si bursts out laughing while I gape at her. She doesn’t know?
That’s a first.
I look accusingly at Si. “I see you haven’t been talking about me nearly enough.”
“I have!” he cries out, still laughing.
“He doesn’t shut up about you, actually.”
“Clearly he’s not telling you the important details, then, because those...” I pause to point at the poster. “Are my cousins.”
“What?” she whispers, and the blood drains from her face. I’ve seen that reaction on people all my life whenever they meet Hawk and Wolf, so I’m not worried.
“My mom is Lyla Storm,” I tell her. “They’re my cousins, so of course I’m not going to say a bad word about them.”
“Shut the fuckup.” She bends over and slaps her hands against her thighs. I see the true insanity that comes from being a fanatic come into her eyes, but then she whirls around and shouts at Silas. “And you didn’t think that was an important detail to add when you were yapping away over this guy?”
“I mean...” He trails off with a guilty wince, but then he shrugs. “Aunt Lyla’s been a part of my lifeall my life, and so have Hawk and Wolf. Besides, I didn’t know you were obsessed with them until now.” He gestures at the poster.
“Wait,” she snaps, and whirls around. “Shell Storm was your aunt, then.”
Nowthatis reverence, I think to myself when I see her expression.
“She was.” I nod, and try not to get emotional.
“Hawk and Wolf Storm are your cousins,” she states, like it’s finally sinking in.
“They are. Stick around and you’ll probably meet them.”
I mean, Wolf got out of rehab just last week, and he told me when I was finally able to talk to him that he’s moving to New York for a year—which of course Mom’s ecstatic about—so Annie might have to wait longer than normal to meet them, but it’ll happen eventually.
