“Free trip and extra pay,” she hums. “You hit the jackpot.”
“Right?” I exaggerate my tone. “Maybe things will be okay.”
“They will be,” she confirms. “But again, if you need help paying the overdue bills, you know Easton and I can pitch in.”
I shake my head eagerly. “I can’t have you doing that.”
“I’m your sister, Nova.”
“Exactly,” I plead. “Stay that way, don’t try to be a saviour.”
“It’s not easy when I’ve been there for you your whole life.”
Okay?
“No one asked you to,Ate.”
“Seriously?” She scoffs. “You choose now to be ungrateful?”
“You’re the one that brought it up like it’s been some kind of chore to take care of me.”
Nadine’s eyes water and I instantly regret my words.
Dammit, Nova. She’s pregnant. Stop being a brat.
I rub a finger above my brows.
Between Nadine and I, I’ve always learned to empathize because it helped people like me.
It’s also what helped me get closer to my sisters.
“I’m sorry,Ate.”
She sniffles and slowly pats her chest like she’s getting rid of the burn I buried there. “It’s fine.”
But I can tell it isn’t.
The air becomes thick and toxic, and I know neither of us will say something good if we continue talking.
“I’ll talk to you later?” I ask her and she simply nods.
“Take care of yourself, babes.” She ends the call before I can.
My shoulders sag with the odd lump at the back of my neck. The feeling grows because I can’t live without the tension between Nadine and I vanishing. But I know she needs her space, otherwise she gets annoyed and whatever small problem we have will get worse.
My fingers itch to grab my phone and call her again.
I go back to folding clothes but can’t focus.
There’s unease festering in my stomach and channelling upwards and resting on my chest. It’s heavy and distracting and makes me want to cry.
Dropping the clothes, I lean against my bed and pull my knees up to my chest.
Deep breaths.
Gentle pats.
I wait until she’s ready to talk to me again.
