"YOU'RE AN IDIOT," was how I greeted my twin when Holden lugged him in the next morning. It turned out after my awkward encounter with Holden last night, Brenton showed up at his house at 2 o'clock in the morning. Holden had texted me this morning explaining the situation and how he was going to bring my moronic brother home.
Brenton pushed past us to go to his bedroom. "Screw off, Daniella."
My eyebrows shot up in surprise but Holden simply shook his head. "He's just mad I told you." He patted my brother's back in consolation. "Be happy I called her and not Amber."
"You can screw off too, Giuseppe."
"Family name," Holden said instantly before I could make any jokes.
"Goodnight, assholes." Brenton slammed his bedroom door shut, leaving me in the hallway with Holden.
"So..." he started.
"I'll see you later," I dismissed. I was about to retreat back to my bedroom when it crossed my mind that these bozos probably drove back here in my car. "How are you getting home?"
He stuffed his hands in his pockets. "I can walk."
Although I seriously didn't want to, I knew I couldn't let him walk home. "Come on," I said with a sigh as I headed for the staircase. "I'll drive you home."
"But your licence..."
"Shut it, Giuseppe."
Surprisingly, he did as I said and we quietly went outside and got into the car. I started the engine and reversed out of the driveway before beginning the familiar route to the Rollins' residence.
"So what happens if you get caught?" Holden asked after a few minutes of silence.
I didn't spare him a glance as I continued driving. "Okay, narc."
"Speaking of narcs, Brent told me about your mom's boyfriend." Holden waited to see my reaction before continuing. "I can't blame him for the way he acted, you know. Your mom should have given you guys a warning first."
I nodded my head in agreement. Holden was absolutely right. Mom should have consulted us before getting involved with Adam... Then again, that was the whole reason Niko was upset. I supposed we didn't have a right to choose who Mom or Niko dated. I pulled into Holden's driveway and unlocked the car.
Holden was about to get out, but he stopped and turned to face me. "About last night, I'm really sorry. After Maya, I've just been so deprived andâ"
"Okay, that's enough!"
His cheeks turned pink. "Sorry."
"Apology accepted, but do me a favour and don't tell Brent," I said. I could not live with the embarrassment if he found out.
Holden nodded. "Are we good?"
"Get out of my car, Rollins."
He chuckled. "I'll see you around, Parker."
Once Holden was out of my car, I stepped on the gas and drove back to my house. I tried to drive carefully and stay under the speed limit so I wouldn't get pulled over, letting out a huge sigh of relief when I made it back without getting pulled over. I parked my jeep and entered the house, making a beeline for Brenton's bedroom. My twin had his back faced to me as he lay in bed.
"Go away," he said in a glum voice. Ignoring his orders, I walked over and laid down beside him. Brenton turned to face me, an annoyed look on his face. "Don't you understand English? I'm not opposed to hitting a girl."
"I can leave if you want to keep being bitchy," I told him.
He sighed in defeat. "Why is she still dating?"
I snorted at that. "She's got needs too, Brent."
He wrinkled his nose in disgust. "Ew, Dan, why do you have to put it like that?"
"I'm serious," I continued. "She's spent years alone, and I'm sure it takes its toll on a person."
"Can't she spend a few more alone?"
"Brenton."
He stared into my eyes. "I'd rather have Dad back than this tool."
"Really?" I couldn't hide the surprise in my voice. No one hated our father more than Brenton, so I was taken aback to hear this from him.
He half-shrugged. "Well, yeah, I mean if I had no other choice."
"Oh, right."
~*~
"We're here," James said. He parked his car on the side of the road and we got out. I looked at my reflection in the window as I touched up my hair. James crept up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. "Have I told you how beautiful you look?"
"You have, but you can say it again."
He chuckled and kissed my cheek. "You look amazing."
I turned around to face him and gave him a quick peck. I then slipped my hand in his and we walked up to the front door to meet his mom. The door burst open before we could even knock, revealing Helena who was beaming at us. I was expecting a sweet mother and son reunion, but I was caught off guard when she flung her arms around me.
"It's been so long!"
"Helena," I wheezed out, forgetting about this woman's iron grip.
"Let go of her before you kill her, Ma," James said.
Helena gave him a chastising look which morphed into a smile as she hugged and kissed her son. "You look dashing as ever, Jameson. And Dani..." She tilted her head to the side as she observed me. "Interesting hair."
What was it with everyone and hating my hair?
"Why don't we have lunch? I'm starving." James ushered me in before I could say anything.
We sat at the same dining table Helena had for years, enjoying the delicious spread of sandwiches she prepared for us. As James and his mom caught up, I enjoyed my fair share of roast beef, grilled turkey, and smoked salmon sandwiches. I hadn't visited Helena since last summer, and I couldn't help but notice that something seemed different though I couldn't quite put my finger on it.
"Where's Bobby?" I found myself asking before I could process my question.
"I left him," Helena responded.
I looked at James to see his reaction, and he appeared to be just as shocked as I was. He set his sandwich down and wiped his mouth with a napkin. "When did this happen?" he asked.
"The paperwork was finalized last week," his mother answered. "I got promoted as manager of the grocery store I was working at, and once I had enough money to support myself I left him."
I reached over the table and squeezed her hand. "That's amazing, Helena."
"Does the job pay enough?" James prodded.
She smiled lovingly at her son. "I also kept the money you saved up and gave me three years ago, and I waited for the right opportunity to use it."
I tried to peer at James' expression, but it was blank.
After we finished eating, James and I offered to do the dishes. We worked in silence as I washed and he dried, and after mentally debating over what to say, I spoke. "So, three years, huh?"
I handed James a ceramic plate and he dried it up with a cloth. "What do you mean?"
I turned off the faucet and faced him. "The money you gave your mom."
He set down the plate and looked at me. "It was the money from the delivery you did. After you almost died getting it, there was no way I could spend it on myself. Plus, with your mom helping out with my tuition, I figured the fifty grand would be put to better use with my mom."
It was moments like these that reminded me my boyfriend had a heart of gold. I stood on my tiptoes and kissed his cheek. "You're incredible."
James scoffed. "That's it? Just the cheek?"
I stuck my hand inside the sink filled with soapy water, and I flicked it at him. James had a mischievous glint in his eyes before he grabbed the handheld faucet and sprayed me. I threw a wet sponge at him and the two of us laughed as we attacked each other.
"What is going on?"
Our water fight was cut short when Helena entered the soaking wet kitchen. The confusion on her face turned into a smile when she saw us laughing. "It's good to see you happy, Jameson."
"How can I not be? I'm with my two favourite girls."
I wrapped my arm around his torso and grinned up at him.
"Are you two spending the night?" Helena asked.
James glanced at the watch on his wrist. "I want to head to Penbrooke tonight. I have an early start tomorrow and I'll be too tired to drive in the morning."
Helena nodded. "Let me pack you some sandwiches for the ride." She left the kitchen to get the leftover sandwiches from the dining room.
I glanced down at my wet attire, realizing this was the only clothing I brought. "I didn't pack for tonight."
James slapped his hand against his forehead. "Crap, I completely forgot."
"It's okay, I'll figure it out," I assured him. "Besides, I could always wear one of your shirts."
He raised his eyebrows suggestively. "Just my shirt?"
I rolled my eyes. "Shut up, pig."
~*~
After a few hours and an iced coffee break, we made it to Penbrooke. James drove to the parking lot of his apartment building, which was conveniently right beside the university campus. We got out and walked to the building together. We were going up the elevator when my stomach grumbled, earning a stifled laugh from James.
"How are you hungry? You had two sandwiches in the car."
"More like one and a half," I grumbled. "I know you ate half when I went to get our coffees."
James was standing behind me and he rested his chin on top of my head. "How about this? The last one to the apartment has to make the winner breakfast tomorrow?"
"You're on."
As soon as the doors dinged, I sprinted out of the elevator and to James' apartment. He ran after me, catching up to me in seconds. I let out a squeal as he threw me over his shoulder and unlocked his apartment door, bringing us inside. James threw me on his bed and climbed on top of me. Without wasting a second, I cupped his face and pulled him down, pressing his lips against mine. We rolled around in his bed as we kissed, my hands tugging his hair and his roaming my body. Before things could get too steamy, of course, my stomach just had to grumble. James, who was on top, broke the kiss and burst into laughter.
"Want to grab a bite, piggy?"
I covered my face with my hands. "Leave me to wallow in my embarrassment and die."
He got off and sat beside me. "Don't be so dramatic. Besides, we'll have tons of time to pick up where we left off."
I playfully shoved his shoulder. "And I'm the piggy?"
James chuckled. "I'm going to go take a shower. You're free to join me."
I rolled my eyes at him. "I'm going to check out the food you guys have here."
He stood up and walked toward his drawers of clothing. "Bring me back something?"
I nodded. "Sure, I'll see you soon."
James grabbed his toiletries and went to his ensuite, while I tidied up my appearance before stepping out of the apartment. I exited his apartment before taking the elevators down to the lobby. The nice thing about this building was it was only a five-minute walk from campus. I enjoyed the gentle evening breeze as I walked to the Penbrooke food court in search of something to eat. A burrito place caught my eye so I walked toward it, squinting as I tried to read the bulletin menu. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going and bumped into someone.
"Watch it," we both said simultaneously. I stopped and turned around to see the person, my eyes widening when we made eye contact.
"What are you doing here?"
I smiled sheepishly. "Hey, Niko."
~*~
I was sitting on a swivelly desk chair in Niko's apartment âwhich was a massive upgrade from his old dorm I must sayâ as he paced down his library. "Can you stop doing that? It's freaking me out."
He ran his hands through his hair, shaking his head. "I can't believe you idiot twins told Mom. No wonder she was ready for the kill!"
"I'm sorry," I apologized for the dozenth time that night. "We thought you were making a mistake, butâ"
"No buts, Dani," he snapped, using a tone I had never heard from him before. "You're my younger sister and you don't know what's best for me so stop acting like it. When everyone was against you and James I was the only one who stood by you, but you couldn't even return the favour."
I felt like the shittiest sibling alive, and honestly, I kind of was. Niko was right. Out of everyone, he had always supported me, and even though I thought he was making a huge mistake, the least I could do was have his back. Even with Monica âbefore we knew she was deranged and our stepsisterâ I should have been supportive and I wasn't. Despite how much more I wanted to apologize, I knew the damage had already been done.
"From here on out we'll have your back," I said.
Niko cocked an eyebrow. "We?"
"Me, Brent, and Alex, of course."
He crossed his arms over his chest. "What about Mom?"
"She'll come around," I promised. "She eventually supported James and me. Besides, it's not like Vanessa has a secret drug history."
"I guess you're right," he mused.
I stood up and opened my arms. "Can we make up so I can get food now?"
"Promise to stay out of my love life?"
"I swear."
"Good." Niko stepped forward and pulled me in for a bear hug. "I've missed you guys."
I hugged him back just as tightly. "I missed you more. Come back home."
He snorted and pulled away. "After last time, not a chance in hell. Besides, don't you like my new place?" He gestured at his lavished apartment.
I let out a low whistle. "The professor's salary must be nice."
He nodded, a grin on his face. "That, it is, little sister. Now if you'll excuse me, I have an after-hours meeting with my colleague."
It didn't take a genius to understand what he was referring to. I grimaced at him. "You're gross."
"That, I am, little sister."
After leaving Niko to let him get to his meeting, I bought some burritos from the food court and returned back to James' apartment. With a bag of food in one hand and a tray of drinks in the other, I used my foot to knock on the door as I hopped around to maintain my balance.
"I bring gifts," I said as the door opened. Had my foot not already been on the ground I probably would have toppled over at the sight of a girl on the other side of the door.