Page 109

“I just want to get back to everyday life. This whole thing was a mess.”

My father parked in the visitor lot in front of my house, and I was taken aback when I saw my motorcycle there.

“How did this get here?”

“As far as I know, Dominic parked it. He said he’d throw the key in the mailbox.”

I could barely recall how Dominic had picked me up in Engelberg.

Did I even say goodbye to him?

“Yaël took care of the mail while you were gone,” my father said as we stood in front of the mailbox. “Should I come up with you?”

“Don’t you have work?”

“I do, but if you want me to …”

“I’m fine, Dad. I can handle it.”

My father gave me a tight hug. “Call if you need anything. Anytime. Got it?”

“Thanks.”

I climbed the creaky stairs to my apartment, my mind already on Dominic. It had been like this for days. I couldn’t get him out of my head, and the big question was: How badly had I messed up with him? My memories were patchy, and I couldn’t seem to piece everything together.

While I was settling in at home, the phone rang.

“Hey, little brother!” Yaël exclaimed happily on the other end. “How’s it going?”

“Good,” I replied half-heartedly.

It was nice that everyone was concerned about me, but it wasn’t like I had just risen from the dead after a long illness.

“I was worried. And guilty! Please! Tell me you forgive me!”

“What do you mean?”

“Oh, there’s a lot, but just say you forgive me.”

I laughed, opened the window, and stepped out onto the balcony. It was a beautiful summer day, and the plants in the nearby woods were a lush green. “Give me a hint.”

“Ugh … Okay! For example, I asked Dominic for help and told him your secret—which, by the way, you should’ve told him yourself a long time ago. The guy’s too sweet, and he didn’t deserve to be left in the dark about it. I had to do it. After our fight, you shut me out, and I kept trying to reach you.”

“I know. Your phone stalking was really annoying.”

Although Yaël was someone who solved her own problems, if there was one thing that kept her awake at night, it was an argument—and I was on a cocaine high and couldn’t even remember what it was about.

“Tell me … Why was I even standing in front of your door back then?”

“You wanted to yell at Ken because you thought he was being an asshole to me.”

“Oh … sorry about that.”

“Kil … I promise, you’ll be the first to know if he ever acts like an asshole again.”

“That’s good.”

“So, have you talked to Dominic yet?”