Page 78 of Cross + Catherine: The Companion

The Brother

Cece/Naz POV

Cece hid in the treehouse she hadn’t actually played in since she was a girl. Once, she had gone to a friend’s house as a child, and saw that they had a beautiful doll-like designed treehouse just for them.

Despite the fact that Cece hadn’t been very interested in playing as a child, like most other children her age, she had wanted a treehouse for herself something awful. She went home that day after visiting her friend, and told her father what she wanted.

Her father had one built before the week was out.

That was years ago, now.

She wasn’t so little anymore being fourteen. She had definitely outgrown the age where she should be playing in something like a treehouse.

And yet, she still used it.

It was still her safe place.

Sometimes, like today, it was just the kind of place she needed. It gave her somewhere to disappear to—so she could be totally alone.

Here, she wouldn’t have to explain to her mom or dad why she was crying.

It was stupid, anyway.

A stupid thing to cry over.

That was one of the many things that sucked about being fourteen. Or rather, being a fourteen-year-old girl.

Sometimes, stupid things made her cry.

“Cece?” she heard her father call out. “Supper is ready!”

Cece quickly wiped the tears from her face. “Okay, Daddy.”

“You okay?”

God.

Did he hear the tears in her voice, or something?

He always knew when something was wrong.

“I’m fine, Daddy,” she called back.

“If you’re sure …”

“I’m sure.”

Her father must have believed her because she heard the back door to their house close a few seconds later. She chose to stay where she was for a couple of more minutes in the treehouse. Long enough to dry her face, and make sure her eyes wouldn’t be red.

Cece was just getting ready to stand up when Naz popped his head up over the bottom of the doorway. Apparently, he climbed up the ladder without Cece hearing a damn thing. Like a little mouse or something.

Not surprising.

Naz was sneaky like that.

“What are you doing?” Naz asked.

“Nothing.”