Page 62 of Cherry Moon

“You’re right,” I whispered. “I’ve been hiding away too much.”

And too lost.

He looked up, wiping at his eyes.

“You deserve to have family around you.”

Shit, a fist closed around my heart. I couldn’t bear the thought of him being alone. But he had no one else other than his mum and his nanny. As awesome as it was to have a mum, it would also be such a small world when you knew you had other people related to you, staying away, only popping up now and again.

Damn.

Just damn.

I understood family burns. My dad stubbed enough emotional cigarettes out on me over the years. He wasn’t there for me, his rejection a daily slap.

But I could be there for my Lil Bro.

Things have to change.

“We’ve got to live,” he whispered. “Even when it’s scary.”

“Come here.” I opened my arms.

“I’m sorry.”

Silence fell over the room. The others were listening.

I wanted them to hear this, to know I took my brotherly responsibilities seriously.

“We’ve got to live,” Riku repeated.

Out of the mouth of kids, eh? He was bang on the money.

Stewing in my fears over losing G hurt others. I saw that now, regret bubbling in the pit of my stomach. Because the world wouldn’t ever let up, always running at full steam ahead, chewing through time like a batch of freshly baked muffins.

Everything changes. Hiding away didn’t slow that change.

Didn’t stop fear belting me with a metal gauntlet, either.

“Brotherly awesomeness incoming,” I said.

Riku grinned, big laughter bursting from his tiny body. He threw himself at me, bumping my leg wound.

Oof! I felt that one!

“Careful, Riku,” Sarah warned.

“Sorry.” He adjusted his body, still clinging to me. “Sorry.”

“You’re good.” I patted his back.

We’d connected on a deeper level. I felt it in my core, as amazing as freshly baked bread. This little fella would not be alone.

Not on my watch.

No matter his age, he had a beating heart, and a lot going on in that tiny head of his. He saw things, noticed stuff, and it all mattered. Big time.

I loved him so much.