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Chapter Three
Ileave Cal downstairs. He’s starting to piss me off with the way he talks about Patience. My rabbit. I know when he pretends to hate her it helps with his guilt for the way he has been treating her, but it’s not right.
Just because our father says we can no longer have a relationship with the James family, does not excuse being a shitty human being. Patience is just as hurt and broken inside as we are, and he would see that if he would just talk to her for five minutes.
Walking into a room full of dust, I let out a cough, then stride over to the balcony doors and open them wide, letting in the fresh air. I’m shocked that Dana didn’t come in here and clean. Why the hell is it like a preserved tomb in here? Our old toys cover the shelves, and I laugh at the Nerf guns. I might have to keep those to surprise Cal. He seems stressed and sad. Maybe he just needs some fun, like the old days, to get that stick out of his ass.
I get to work stripping the bed and wiping down the dressers with an old T-shirt I found in the drawers. I am a bit of a neat freak and I’m not going to lie, right now I’m on the verge of having a panic attack.
A noise has my head snapping up to glance out the open window, and I freeze as she comes into view. Bopping her head along to whatever music is playing in her ears, she throws her bag on the bed and walks into her closet. I know I should look away, but it’s been five years since I’ve seen her in person, and she looks nothing like the girl I left behind.
Returning a few minutes later, dressed in workout clothes and her dark hair tossed into a messy bun, I groan. Damn, Cal was right about her being hot. I knew she would be, but even my dreams couldn’t imagine this.
Curves in all the right places, with long legs and pouty lips. She is a vision. She walks over to her bedroom door and opens it before glancing my way. She flips me off and winks, and I’m gone for this girl. I know she’s off-limits, but damn, I never did like following the rules.
I finish cleaning and start to unpack my bags. I don’t know when Timothy dropped them off, but I’m thankful he did. My anxiety is starting to calm, and I feel a weight leaving my chest. I toss my bedding into the hall and unwrap the sealed blanket and pillows from a space bag in my suitcase.
I never used to be this anal about things, but after my aunt got sick, I have been extremely aware of germs. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t wear gloves or wash my hands a billion times a day, but I do like things to be neat and orderly.
A knock on the door pulls me from washing the windows. “Please tell me you are not deep cleaning this room. Dana planned for you to move into the one across the hall,” Cal tells me and I scoff.
“If you thought I would change rooms then you have really lost the plot,” I mutter and he laughs.
“Damn, bro, you totally have gone all British on me, haven't you?” he snarks. I roll my eyes and move closer to him. I wrap a hand around the back of his neck and pull him into my chest for a hug.
“I missed you, Cal,” I whisper, and he hugs me back tight.
“Same. I wish I could have gone with you to England. Boise sucked,” he grumbles and I laugh.
“Yeah, I heard about all your baby mamas.” He shoves me away and tries to give me a noogie. Seriously, are we ten?
The doorbell rings and he pulls away from me, fixing his shirt. “So, um, yeah, I have a date. I’ll see ya later,” he says before rushing down the steps. I follow behind him, curious about who’s here, and watch as Tim lets a sweaty, dirty-blond-haired guy in. My eyebrow raises at that, but I shake my head. I knew Cal was seeing someone; he's just been extremely vague about it.
I stride back into my room and walk out onto the balcony. Glancing around, I notice a few changes. The enormous gate is one of them. But also, the James’ backyard looks like something out of a Home and Garden's magazine. No longer is it a man’s oasis. I don’t even see a grill. Wow.
Turning back to my room, I sigh. I’m exhausted and I know this jet lag is going to whoop my ass if I go to sleep right now. I move over to my bathroom and take a quick shower before changing into some comfy shit.
I make my way down the hall and over to the kitchen stairs. I don’t know if my father is home right now, and honestly, I’m not ready to see him yet. Cal told me he has become even more unbearable this past year. You would think losing my mother and being shipped to my grandparents halfway across the world would be enough for a traumatized thirteen-year-old. Nope, let’s add on being ripped away from my twin and best friend, as well as having a father that never wants to speak to me.
“Oh,miniñois home.” Dana greets me the moment I cross into her sanctuary. The smells in here alone could bring me to my knees, but the warm embrace I am suddenly wrapped in has my throat choking up.
“Hi, Dana,” I grumble. She sniffles and backs away from me, discreetly wiping her eyes.
“Sientate, sit, sit,” she tells me, waving to the kitchen island stools. I glance over at the dining room table with longing, and a wash of memories overwhelms me. Taking in a deep, shuddering breath, I collapse against the cushioned seat.
I watch as she busies herself making me a plate of her famous empanadas, and I groan as the first bite hits my lips.
“I have missed your food,” I mumble with a mouthful. She chastises me, but the slight blush on her cheeks tells me she’s not too mad about my lack of manners. Making a plate for herself, she comes around the counter and takes a seat beside me.
“It’s good to have you home, Nathaniel,” she tells me with a soft smile, and I choke on my bite of food. Quickly taking a sip of water, I turn to her with a seriousness in my eyes.
“Nate, please call me Nate… No one has called me Nathaniel since her, and I would like to keep it that way.” She places her palm against the back of my hand and gives me a little squeeze, nodding her head.
We continue eating in silence and I can’t stop the yawns from escaping. “Why don’t you do some laps in the pool? Your father hasn’t heated it yet this year and the cool water may help you wake up,” Dana suggests and I find myself nodding in agreement. I have always loved swimming and I really need to stay awake. I don’t have to start classes until next week, but jet lag has always taken a toll on me.
I help Dana clean up, then make my way to the stairs to change. Soft groans hit my ears as I pass Cal’s room and I shudder. Nope. I do not need to hear that shit. I rush the rest of the way to my room, and am changed and in the pool within five minutes.
I lie on my back floating, looking up at the starry sky. A few twinkle and I imagine it’s my mother saying hello from Heaven. I smile and whisper into the balmy night air.
