Page 26 of Forever Flames: Padraig & Stevie
He’ll never walk away from the twin who can’t live without him.
seven
Padraig
A Few Weeks Later
Theskyoverthehighway bleeds from tangerine to violet.
Grain silos blur past. A few cows. Golden fields.
We’re heading north on the 195 with the windows cracked open. Warm wind slaps against my temple.
Liam glances over. His hair is as long as mine, wild and unbrushed. Blowing in the breeze. We’re halfway to Spokane before I realize how quiet we’ve been.
Liam’s foot taps the floorboard in rhythm with whatever beat’s looping through his head. I feel a certain emptiness. Something’s missing. My soft, steady touchstone.
Stevie.
“She texted yet?” Liam reads my mind, as he does.
“Yeah.” I nod, though I keep my eyes on the road. “Said her mom nearly cried when she walked in. She’ll check on Ma and the wee lads tomorrow.”
“How long’s she staying?”
“A couple weeks, I think.”
He lets out a low breath. “So it’s just us for a while.”
“Yeah.”
We lock eyes. Then he turns back to the road.
“I’m glad we have some time for the two of us. It’s been years, you realize.”
I glance over.
“There isn’t any part of us she isn’t there for anymore.” His comment lands sharp between my ribs.
I shift in my seat uncomfortably.“You’re not being fair,” I fire back defensively.
“Why exactly are we checking this singer out? You know you’re gonna choose her in the long run over me.”
“What the fuck?” I turn toward him, utterly confused. “Do you have something you need to say?”
“She’s not into the band stuff for the long haul. Do you not listen to her?” He shrugs.
My chest constricts. Not with guilt. With truth. Because I know he’s right.
“I don’t wanna do this with anyone else, Dar.” Liam reaches over and grips my wrist. “But, I’m gonna do it no matter what. With or without you.”
“What’s gotten into you?” I’m struggling to understand. Have I not been showing up every goddamn day?
He cracks his knuckles. “You don’t even notice I haven’t been around much. At least you haven’t said anything.”
Huh. Is it true? Guilt overwhelms me.
“See.” He juts out his chin. “You’re so into your relationship, like it’s the most important thing.”
