Page 57 of Fever Dream
“Totally,” Riley agrees, swiping a piece of bacon out of the pan and then hissing like she’s surprised by its hot temperature.
“Girl, sometimes your complete lack of self-preservation boggles my mind,” Opa grumbles as he watches Riley try to shove it in her mouth like it will be less hot that way. “Go set the table and try not to juggle the knives while you do.”
Riley picks up a knife like she’s about to throw it in the air, but not before Oma reaches over her shoulder and disarms her.
Julia snorts an adorable laugh, eyes twinkling with mirth as she watches the madness of a Brandt family breakfast unfold before her. “I’ll help set the table and be there to patch Riley up if she stabs herself.”
“My hero!” Riley calls out as she rifles through the cutlery drawer.
Opa works on another pot of coffee—the last thing I need—and Evan and Oma get to the eggs and French toast. Which leaves Parker and me watching in a companionable silence. Something she and I both enjoy with each other on a somewhat regular basis.
Except today. Today she has to be snoopy and ruin it.
“How’s the show going?” she asks, with one raised eyebrow—not bothering to hide her scrutiny.
I pretend I don’t hear her. I don’t want to talk about the show. I want to live in this happy bubble, surrounded by my favorite people.
Julia and Riley chatter away as they set the table. I love my youngest sister, but she’s a bad influence. I’d hate to see what kind of trouble she and Julia could get into. And I find myself straining to hear what they’re saying.
“There’s this guy… total gentleman… another barn nearby… I’ll set it up…” Riley’s voice fades in and out every time she turns away, but it sounds like they’re talking about men and dates. Something that makes me want to walk over there to find out more.
Julia said she hasn’t been dating, but what if she’s looking to start? Then Riley would be the absolute worst new friend for her to have because she’s a fucking man-eater.
And I mean that in the most respectful way possible. Because I love it for Riley. I never have to worry about her taking some guy’s shit, because she kicks them to the curb for the smallest transgressions. I almost feel bad for a guy when I hear she’s seeing one.
“Emmett!” Parker elbows me with one bony jab to the ribs, startling me upright from where I’m propped against the kitchen counter.
“Jesus, Parks, you didn’t have to go in so hard. That’s gonna leave a bruise.”
“Sorry,” she singsongs, completely unapologetic. “Just saving my brother from gawking at a girl in front of his family like he’s never seen a member of the opposite sex before.”
I scoff. “Very funny. I was just—”
“Just what?” she prods with a playful tone. “Just making sure they were setting the table correctly?”
I roll my shoulders, trying not to think about Julia going on a date with some fancy equestrian douchebag that my sisterknows. “Riley struggles with structure, you know that. Can’t have her putting the knives on the left when we have company over.”
Parker scoffs. “Yeah, Riley, who’s on the path toward becoming an Olympic athlete, struggles with structure.”
“You know what I mean. She’s a bit of a loose cannon.”
Parker chuckles at that, watching our little sister with admiration twinkling in her eyes. “Takes a special brand of crazy to gallop an animal with flight-instinct around a field, over jumps as tall and wide as you.”
I can’t help but grin because, yeah, Riley’s badass.
Now I get another sharp elbow. “Not so different from someone who thinks riding angry bulls for fun is a good idea.”
“Don’t rain on our parade, Parker. You get your kicks from fixing things. We get our kicks from breaking things. Like hearts.”
Parker rolls her eyes but then glances over at Julia. She doesn’t need to say anything for me to pick up on what the look means.
Julia throws her head back in laughter at something Riley has said, and her hair catches my attention again. Those big, loose curls interspersed with tighter ones give her a relaxed, messy look that I find alluring.
I’m hit with a flash of my fingers in her hair on that cruise ship. Pulling out bobby pins and elastics to free the thick curtain from the way she had it plastered back so tight.
“I would never break her heart,” I whisper quietly. I can feel my sister’s gaze heavy on the side of my face.
She’s looking closely enough that I feel almost squeamish. So I straighten up, searching for something I can do to keep Parker from further interrogating me or making me say things I don’t want to.
