Page 20 of Broken Silence
I had no clue how to answer. I was shocked and numb and excited and pissed.
Turning, I saw Oakley now standing next to Jasper, close enough to draw strength from him… the way she used to do with me, and I had an overpowering urge to grab her hand and tug her away from him.
Jealous of her brother now? That was a new low.
With the initial shock wearing off, I could see her more clearly. Like how she was a little taller than the last time I’d seen her. Her hair shorter and lighter like it’d been kissed by the sun. But she still had that smooth, angelic face and those soft, pale blue eyes.
“Where’s Mia?” Oakley asked my mum.
The sound of her voice made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. The raspy edge had stayed, I was happy to hear.
I pulled at the collar of my top, wanting nothing more than to grab her, carry her to my room, lock the door, and make up for lost time. My body failed to remember everything she’d put me through.
“She’ll be back soon. She’s just taken Leona to Fun to Play.”
Oakley turned, following Mum as she moved to the fridge. “To where? I can’t wait to meet her.”
I stepped forward, just a little bit closer, as if she was beckoning me and I had no free will at all.
“It’s a soft play. Worst place in the world,” I said.
“I don’t think they’ll be long. Are you staying to wait for her?” Mum asked.
I carefully watched Oakley’s reaction, the small frown, and pursed lips. She was torn.
Sarah touched Mum’s arm and smiled. “We have time. I’dloveto see Mia again and meet Leona.”
Oakley smiled at her mum, that fake little smile that didn’t reach her eyes.She didn’t want to stay.
Not that I could be surprised after our conversation, but she had to know that she was wrong. I was never better off without her in my life.
What she’d said about not being good enough for me made me want to burn down the prison Max and Frank were beingheld in. I wanted them to hurt, to slowly suffocate while knowing death was near.
Ihatedthat she felt that way about herself.
“Dude, your hair looked better before,” Jasper said, pushing my head.
I laughed and shoved him back. “Thanks, Jasper. Missed you, too, man.”
Jasper’s eyes flicked to his sister as some weird, silent conversation passed between them. Finally, Oakley nodded and rolled her eyes.
And that meant what? I had a feeling it was to do with me.
Four years ago, it was Oakley and me doing that. Now I was on the outside, missing all the events that led to those wordless conversations.
“Oh my God! I’m so glad you’re staying for a bit. We’re going to watch a movie after a very messy night out, so come sit,” Kerry said, pulling Oakley and Jasper towards the sofas.
Of course, they hadn’t left.
In a moment that I put down to pure habit, I sat beside Oakley and felt her tense up like she wasn’t expecting it. Bunching my hands, I pressed my fists into my thighs and tried to pretend that this was normal.
No one seemed to care that they’d just walked in unannounced after four years… after the way they left, and now we were just going to sit and watch a movie like nothing had happened. My head spun so fast I could’ve thrown up.
“What’re we watching?” Jasper asked Kerry, blatantly staring at her cleavage.
He hadn’t changed a bit.
“Piranha,” Ben answered, wrapping an arm around Kerry.
