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Cal ducked his head and Skye dashed over to him. Rowan shot me her mom look, the one she used whenever I crossed the line from irreverent to hurtful or potentially illegal.
“We’re all fucked up,” Aiden said. “Theo just has a creative way of showing it.”
“All y’all need therapy,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest. “But for now, which one of you is going to Marked to make sure Theo doesn’t cut himself? Someone needs to, and he doesn’t want me.”
Rowan’s eyes widened, further confirming she knew nothing about Theo’s self-harm history. Then she turned her focus on me. “You know that’s not true. He told you he loved you.”
“Yeah, well, not enough. I get it. I’m not the most lovable person.”
“I’m still catching up with what’s going on,” Chris said. “But from what I’m hearing, Theo’s more messed up than I thought. Whatever happened has nothing to do with you being lovable, Pop. But for the record, you’re one of the most loveable people I know, and I’m pretty sure Theo would agree.”
I didn’t want to cry in front of everyone, so I pushed past my siblings and headed for the door. I figured I had about thirty seconds.
Soon after my dad died, I’d learned how to hold my tears. My eyes would start to burn a little, and I’d imagine I was a semi-aquatic rodent, the kind who built dams in rivers and streams with sticks. Yes, I know their name. But even kid me knew better than to call myself a beaver. I’d made a point at an early age to learn curse words and inappropriate slang tonettle Rowan whenever I could. So, I’d imagine myself as a semi-aquatic rodent, holding back my tears until I could duck into the janitor’s closet at school or hide in the shed behind our house. The more I wanted to cry, the less time I had to get somewhere private.
This felt like holding back Niagara Falls. If I ran, I could maybe make it out of sight of Cal’s house before my face got all blotchy and snotty. Too bad Lauren and Cammie rolled up to the curb at the exact moment the floodgates opened. They rushed me like a pair of perky linebackers and tackled me in a double hug.
“He’s just scared,” Cammie said, squeezing me so hard my boobs ached. “Give him time to process the arrest. He’ll come around.”
Guess Rowan had been texting the entire time I checked out.
“He told you he loves you,” Lauren added, rubbing my back. “Focus on that.”
“He only said that because he felt bad for dumping me.” I sobbed into Cammie’s shoulder. I was probably getting snot on the fluffy pink sweater she’d tossed on over her scrubs, which for some reason made me feel a smidge better. She looked like a wannabe Muppet. I was doing her and the rest of Peace Falls a favor, though I had to admit the sweater felt really nice.
“I don’t care if he’s your best friend, Caleb,” Rowan shouted behind me. “Let’s go, Chris.”
“Oh shit,” Lauren said. “You’ve triggered the Stevens Suicide Squad.”
“The what?” I asked, lifting my head from Cammie’s comfy shoulder.
“It’s when someone wrongs one of you and the other siblings go all Kill Bill,” Lauren explained as Chris shoved past Aiden to join Rowan on the porch.
Cammie clapped her hands and did a little bounce thing that should have looked deranged but somehow felt on brand for her.“I’ve been dying to see it ever since Lauren told me you filled Rowan’s ex’s apartment with dog poop.”
“Brad-hole deserved it. Theo doesn’t,” I sniffed. “And you can’t mix movie metaphors like that, Lauren.”
“It fits,” Lauren said as Rowan wiggled away from Cal, possibly throwing an elbow, and started down the stairs with Chris.
“Stop,” I yelled. “Stand down.”
They both halted but their fury remained. Rowan’s face had turned almost as red as her hair. Chris had his hands fisted at his sides. He looked ready to break someone, and I wouldn’t put it past Theo to let him.
“Do not mess with Theo,” I said, drawing myself up as much as I could to point my finger in my giant brother’s face.
“Don’t listen to her,” Rowan said. “She’s love blind.”
“So are you,” I snapped, which seemed to get their attention. Rowan’s face dropped down to level pink, and Chris’s nostrils stopped flaring like a raging bull. I may not be everyone’s favorite flavor, but I’ve never questioned my family’s love for me.
Of course, the damn tears decided to start up again. Chris glared at Aiden and Cal who had snuck behind him on either side. Amateurs. As far as brutality went, it was me, then Rowan, then Chris, who had the soul of a kitten despite his football physique.
I took a deep breath and got the waterworks under control before I spoke again. “He hurt me, but this isn’t the same. I’m just collateral to the damage he’s doing to himself. Plus, he’d probably like it if you took a swing at him. He’ll want someone to hurt him if he hasn’t already done it himself.”
“She’s right,” Cal said, rubbing his forehead.
“Fine,” Chris said. “I’ll just plastic wrap his toilet and mess with his shampoo.”
“Just remember I own the house,” Aiden shouted after Chris as he cut across Twill’s backyard.