AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It’s early but I’m already up. Cole hadn’t slept over last night, and the bed was empty without him. Maybe that’s why I’m up at the first light?
Either way, it doesn’t matter because I’m awake, and I have energy. Plus, a run wouldn’t kill me after all the sugar and carbs I willingly ingested yesterday.
I regret nothing, but my stomach would probably fight me on that analogy.
After inviting myself into Finn’s room and making my way over to his bed, I’m shocked to find that it’s empty. Weird.
He’d definitely been home because the music had been nonstop on this side of the hall late into the night. As per norm when he’s upset about something.
Padding my way down the stairs, I chance a glance in the kitchen but come up empty again. Where could he be? His room, the kitchen, or the court outside his favorite places on the property. The lights aren’t on outside in the back, so I know he’s not at the last place.
He had to have been the one to give me these shoes. I knew as soon as I saw them what they were a reminder of. Our deal. The one I’d broken by not coming to their game. And in exchange for showing up, I got to run alone.
My plan was to catch him off guard. Waking him up and making him regret holding up his half. It’s early and if I know one thing about Finn, he hates being woken up if he doesn’t have to.
This would mean I’d have to know where he is though. Something I’m currently at a loss for.
Leaving the front door, I nearly jump out of my skin seeing the oversized outline beside me.
My chest tightens, ribs squeezing to my organs until I realize that bulky exterior could only belong to one person.
I snap, my open mouth shut, iciness now filling my once constricted airways.
“Morning, lil sis.”
“Are you trying to put me in an early grave, Finn? Because you’ve done a great first start.”
His lip curves up the more my frown deepens.
“Ah come on. Don’t be so jumpy.” He says tucking me under his arm and nudging the top of my head with his fisted one.
“Why are you out here?” I question, eyeing him as we climb down the front steps and refix my ponytail.
He’s in too good of a mood and I suddenly don’t trust it. It is the complete and total opposite of this hostile, weepy person he’s been embodying for weeks.
Letting go, he reaches forward, stretching out his arms. Rotating, they go to his back, doing the same. “Nice shoes,” he comments, continuing his movements.
I look down briefly. “…Thanks?”
He raises his hand to his forehead, like when you do to block the sun from your eyes. Only it’s dark, and the only thing awake right now is the pair of us.
Him far too perky this early.
I’m about to ask him who he is and what he’s done with my brother, but he speaks up before I can.
“Soooo, are we going for a short sprint, or are you in the mood for a few miles? Personally, I could go for the distance.”
I cock an even more confused eye. “Are you aware of what time it is?”
“Yeah, Rory, I know what time it is.”
“Day? It’s Sunday.”
“Are you aware that you broke our deal?” he imposes, and the comment sobers me.
I was supposed to be the one to surprise him, not the other way around. He was supposed to be in his bed. The fresh air my idea. Plus, it’d be good for him, but it seems he’s already beat me to the punch line.
“You coming or not? Because as of now, you’re losing,” he points out, turning around from where he’d taken off, now jogging backward. “Time to pay up, lil sis.”
