We say at the same time and I break into a laugh. When I realize he is being serious, I laugh harder. “God, you’re full of yourself.”
The waiter comes to take our order, and when she walks away, I turn back to Sire.
“I have to talk to Harmony.” I sink into my seat at the reminder. “I’ve been distant with her since I relapsed, but I invited her to breakfast with us, so please help me talk to her when she gets here.”
Sire gives me a knowing look. “You need to do this on your own. You chose to get high, make it right with her.”
“That’s the thing.” I sit up. “She doesn’t know I relapsed. There’s nothing for me tomake right,but I know I have to tell her. I’m just scared she’s going to hate me. Her mom is off on a bender every other week. I don’t want to be like her.”
“You’re not.” His tone is stern and I choose to believe him. We eat our appetizers in silence, but when I see Harmony make her way inside, my nerves damn near make me throw up.
She has a bright smile on her face, and with the bow on the top of her head, she reminds me so much of Isabelle. I shake my head at myself, the guilt eating at me for being a disappointment.
You’re going to disappoint Belle too.
I’m snapped out of my thoughts as Harmony steps beside us. “Hey.” She smiles at Sire shyly, and it takes me a second to remember they haven’t met.
“Sire, this is my only likable kin.” I gesture to Harmony. “Harmony, this is my least favorite brother.” I pat the seat next to me. “Sit.”
Sire laughs at my jab before asking Harmony about her day, and I let them talk as I build the courage to crush her soul. I feel my mood deflate with every minute that passes, but when Sire excuses himself to the bathroom and gives me thatlookI sit up straight.
“So.” I shove her shoulder with mine. “I need to talk to you.”
“Yeah.” She turns to me, her eyes full of suspicion. “You’ve clearly been avoiding me all week and I hate the dry messages. I’msosorry about Mom, but don’t push me away because of her.”
“I’m not,” I reassure her. “It’s not because of her.”
She gives me a once-over before her eyes widen. “Oh my god, did Jackson get you pregnant?”
I slap her arm before glancing over her shoulder for Sire. “Jeez, I can’t tell you anything. Shutup.” I hit her again. “We haven’t even slept together. Get your head out of the gutter and what new little boy is giving you hickeys?” I pinch her neck hard enough to deepen her mark.
She squirms away from me before pulling her sweater up. “This is abuse.”
“Shut up.” I roll my eyes at her. “Don’t mention Jackson around my brother.”
Her brows furrow before a smile creeps onto her face. “Oh, he doesn’t know yet?”
I pick up my hand to hit her but she quickly inches away with a laugh.
“Alright alright.” She puts a hand up in surrender. “So what’s your deal if you’re not hormonal or mad at me about Mom?”
I force a smile but when I open my mouth there’s a knot too big to speak in my throat. I watch her face fall as she leans back to look at me, her eyes scanning mine.
“You’re high?”
“No.” I quickly shake my head.
Her shoulders sag in relief.
“But I was… I kind of overdosed two weeks ago.” I watch her carefully as the disappointment covers her face. She looks down at the table, her head clearly running wild. “Can you say something?” I whisper before holding my breath as I wait for her to tell me she hates me.
She shakes her head, but when she turns to me, she only pulls me in for a hug. “Thank you.”
I hold back a cry as I wrap my arms around her.
“Thank you for not letting me see you like that.” She shakes her head, her voice breaking. “Mom doesn’t have that decency sothank youfor knowing you weren’t okay and staying away until you got better. I want to be here for you, but I just can’t handle seeing you like that, okay?”
I nod in return as I hold her tighter. “I’m going to get better,” I promise her, forcing myself to believe it.
