Page 27 of Ward Willing
Smirking, I begin my diatribe. “Millennials love putting themselves in neat, little boxes. You all wear your likes, dislikes, and personality quirks like badges.” I hop off the stool and walk to the living room, picking up the childish-looking book and holding it up. “It just seems…trite.”
Liam grabs an orange pill bottle from the cabinet and throws a pill back before walking over and taking the book from me.
I’ve wanted to ask him about the pills for years, but it never seems like a good time. I’ve googled the name, but I don’t know why he’s taking antidepressants. It’s not entirely my place to ask.
“It’s nottrite,” he retorts. “It’s an escape, and the books and the signs are not meant to be taken too seriously. You forget that I’m an educator, and I know your generation all grew up with the internet, although you already know my views on that. Before we had Reddit telling us all about the horrific things in the world, we had Percy Jackson. It reminds us of simpler times.”
I roll my eyes. “Right.”
His eyes flash with humor and maybe a tiny bit of outrage. But then he crosses his arms, looking down at me with a stance and expression so commanding I have to bite my tongue.
“Sit down and read the first chapter. I guarantee you’ll be hooked.”
Before the storm started, he must’ve been down here reading in the middle of the night, and I can’t help but think of how he’s always been the brother who cares for his younger brothers.
Who cares forme.
Instead of finding peace in sleep at night, he chooses to spend his time reading his favorite childhood books.
It’s then that it hits me: who takes care ofhim?
Does anyone allow him to…relax?
Between his job, his book, and me… does he ever get a chance to unwind?
I plop down on the couch and raise my brows. “Read it to me, then. Let’s see if you’re right.”
He stiffens for a second, the book hanging at his side. Then he sighs and sits on the other end of the couch. Giving me a quick, resigned stare, he flips to the first page of the book, reaching into his pocket for his glasses.
I swallow as his voice fills the room, the gentle and velvet-y soft cadence, the low tenor… all while he’s shirtless with glasses.
Pulling my legs up into my chest, I rest my face on my knees as he reads to me. Not because I want to know the story, though I have to admit, it’s quite entertaining, but because he seems to need to prove a point.
And for some reason, I don’t want to rile him up right now. He’s extended three olive branches today; this, the storm, and offering to drive me to Scotty’s show on Saturday. I like pushing the boundaries to get his attention, but sometimes it’s nice tobewith him—without arguing, without being a brat, and without pissing him off.
It’scomforting.
As he continues reading past chapter one, I settle back into the couch. Handing me a pillow and blanket, he doesn’t miss a beat as he reads on. A minute later, Captain Sushi climbs up with me, and Liam strokes his fur affectionately.
I find myself slipping into a cozy, comforting sleep shortly thereafter.
CHAPTERFOUR
THE QUIZ
Liam
The next morning, I have a free period before myEco-Poetryclass. Normally, I spend my free periods in my office, fine tuning the curriculum, grading papers, or writing. But today, I woke up to a text from Orion, my youngest brother. He informed me he was going to be a guest lecturer in one of the Human Sexuality classes for upperclassmen. Professor Dimas had originally asked Juliet, my sister-in-law, but she’s living up north with my brother, Chase. She’s a Human Sexuality professor, so she was the natural first choice.
Orion, however, jumped at the opportunity, and I’m proud of him.
Of course, he asked me to attend the class, and how could I pass up an opportunity to see my baby brother lead a college course?
I walk to my office and drop off my bag before heading to the second story of the Maple building. The door to the classroom is buzzing with students, and I follow them into the small classroom, hoping to find a seat near the back…
Until a soft hand grips my bare forearm and tugs me into a front row seat.
My eyes snap to Zoe’s as Orion clears his throat at the front of the class.
