Page 30 of Hit and Run
“She’s never been conscious about that shit before. She’s never had a reason to be,” Shade says.
“I know, that’s the same thing that went through my head,” I agree with him. I can see the wheels turning in Shade’s head. We don’t talk much the rest of the time I cook.
16
Shade
Zack is fuckingzero for two right now. Strike one was him hesitating to shake my hand when Wren introduced us. He looked almost disgusted when I held my hand out to shake his. Disrespectful little fuck. I don’t know what he was thinking when he asked if Wren knew about Sienna and me. Did he think he would have some kind of blackmail or something? I should have talked to Wren about it yesterday. Shoulda, coulda, woulda. Strike two is him thinking he can control anything my sister does or says.
When Sienna told me he ordered for Wren the other night, the first thing to pop into my head is how my Pops was, and probably still is, with my Mom. It makes me wonder what Wren witnessed between the two of them after I left. Once Sienna is finished cooking dinner, I help her get the table set.
“It’s time to eat!” Sienna calls to Wren and Zack.
“Open those legs and I’ll eat till I die,” I whisper in her ear. She turns to face me and there’s a fire in her eyes.
“Oh my gosh, Sienna! It smells amazing,” Wren says, walking into the kitchen. Sienna sobers up at that.
“Thank you. Sit, enjoy,” Sienna replies. Wren and Zack both take their seats. “Wren and Shade would either of you like something to drink?”
“I’ll get it. You sit down,” I tell her. She nods her head once and sits in the chair closer to Zack, leaving a spot for me next to her and Wren. I would have happily let her sit by Wren to keep her from having to sit by Zack. “What would you like? Tea, water, soda?”
“Water for me please,” Wren tells me.
“Make that two,” Sienna says. I grab waters for all three of us and bring them to the table. Zack is the first one to take food. He passes the pasta to Wren, giving her a stern look. She takes a small scoop and when the bread comes around, she takes the smallest piece.
“Are you feeling okay, Wren? That’s not very much food,” I say to her. She looks to Zack before answering me.
“Um, yeah. I’m okay. I’m not very hungry,” she tells me.
“I call bullshit. This is your favorite meal,” I say. “You were saying how Sienna’s alfredo is the best and you’re not even gonna eat much?”
“She said she isn’t very hungry,” Zack says harshly. I glare at him. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Wren fold in on herself and Sienna is more alert.
“I know what she said and I know my sister. This isn’t like her,” I say it to Zack, but I’m looking at Wren.
“And how would you know what she’s like? You’ve hardly been present in her life for the past six years,” Zack states.
I freeze, bringing my eyes to his. “Who the fuck are you to comment about my relationship with my sister?” I snarl at him.
Sienna places her hand on my arm, attempting to calm me. It isn’t until she touches me that I realize how tight I have my fists clenched.
“You can’t say it’s not true, Shade,” Wren says quietly.
“That’s how you feel,” I ask her. “And instead of talking to me, your brother, about it, you talk to this clown?”
“This clown is my boyfriend. He’s been there for me more in the past six months than you have in the past six years,” Wren spits out. I’ve never heard her talk with so much venom in her voice before.
“Would you rather I comment on whatever it is the two of you have been hiding,” Zack asks gesturing between Sienna and I. Sienna yanks her hand back to her lap. Wren looks between us, eyes wide as saucers.
“Is he . . .” Wren starts to say.
“This isn’t the time or place, Wren,” Sienna says to her.
“Are you sleeping with my brother?” Wren snaps.
“Is this what you wanted? To drive a wedge between Wren and those closest to her?” The rage building up is something I haven’t felt since the last time I was around my Pops.
“I’d say you’re doing a fine job of that on your own.” he sneers at me. Wren stands from the table, Sienna mirrors her.
