Page 84 of You + Me – Against the World

“Your brother?”

Vadim nods, but not a single trace of emotion shows on his face. “He’s actually known where he is for a long time. But now he feels like it’s the right time to tell me. That it could help me, motivate me, give me something to hold on to…”

“So what do you think about it? How are you feeling?”

“Right now?”

“Yes, right now.”

“I’m hungry. A little cold. And I’d really like to kiss you, but…”

“Vadim.”

He sighs, and I can imagine his inner struggle: whether to show his vulnerability or pretend to feel nothing to avoid getting hurt.

“Roman turned eighteen this year; he has the right to choose whether he wants to meet me,” he blurts out. “Keith contacted him to ask him.”

“Did he say yes?”

“Yes.”

I slip my hand into his, watching him battle some invisible demon.

“But I don’t know if it’s a good idea.”

“Finding your brother is at the very top of your bucket list, right? You’re not allowed to back out! And I’m here if you need to be reminded of how easy it is to love you, Vadim Arcadi.”

“We said we’d do all that before we die, so I have plenty of time.”

“What are you afraid of?” I murmur.

I slide closer to him and wrap my arms around his neck.

“Nothing. Everything. It’s going to be… strange. We don’t know each other; he was a baby when we were separated. He probably doesn’t even remember our parents. And besides, he was adopted by a good, little, American family. For all I know, I might hate him.”

“You already hate ninety-nine percent of people, so it’ll be business as usual for you,” I say, hoping to make him smile.

“I also hate the idea of having a family, I think.”

“Well, I think you’re going to love it,” I whisper before kissing him.

Vadim presses his lips against mine, then buries his face in my neck.

“Actually, I think you’re the only one I don’t hate. And Felix. And Keith, sometimes.”

“Oh wait, there’s Cheyenne, too…”

He laughs, and I feel his body rocking against me. He pulls back and kisses me again. I breathe him in. He holds me tight. I hold him. Nothing else exists anymore, no one but us. Just the two of us against the rest of the world: families, brothers, caseworkers, Native Americans…

“I’m going to have to go home soon, Vadim.”

“I’m going to have to kidnap you soon, Alma. And I’ll never give you back.”

“After Christmas, then. There are two generations of Lancasters at my house who would kill me if I missed Christmas Eve.”

“I’d kill for Christmas not to exist. At least then we wouldn’t fill kids’ head with all that bullshit, stuff ourselves with Christmas cookies that nobody even likes, and give each other gifts just because we’re supposed to.”

“Well, I won’t give you yours then.” I shrug, looking disappointed.