“I can drive you to your apartment.” Garrison grabs his hoodie.
“No that’s okay.” I sling my backpack on my shoulder. “I need to pick up my car from Lo’s house, so I’ll just drive myself home. I can walk to Lo’s.” Before he offers to walk with me, I add, “If Lo sees that I was with you, I think he might pop a blood vessel. I’ve never seen him this angry.” I show the text to Garrison.
He reads it quickly. “I’ve seen that side of him already. I’m not scared.”
“You’re on good footing with him though and that took a while.” I don’t want to ruin his relationship with Lo either.
“Yeah, but you shouldn’t lie to your cousin about where you’ve been. Not because of me. I don’t have to walk with you, but just don’t lie to him.”
“Are you sure?” I ask before I leave. He wants me to be honest with Loren Hale. “If I tell Lo the truth about where I’ve been…” He may hate you.
“I’m sure.”
19
willow moore
On my walk towards Lo’s house, I text him and Maya, apologizing profusely and reassuring that I’m one-hundred percent okay. I also mention that I’m almost to his house, and as soon as my feet hit the front porch steps, the door bursts open.
Lo wears nothing but drawstring pants, the night air chilly, but maybe his anger heats him. His cheekbones cut sharp, and he has his cellphone cupped to his ear.
“She’s here,” he says to the person on the other line. “I don’t know why yet. Just get your ass back home, bro.” Must be Ryke Meadows. “I’ll tell her. Okay, okay. Bye.” He hangs up, and I stand uneasily on the porch—only an arm’s length away from my half-brother.
Lo clutches his cell tight. “Ryke and Daisy have been driving around looking for you.” He lets out a tense breath. “My brother said to tell you that he’s ‘fucking glad you’re okay’ and ‘Daisy loves you.’”
My lips upturn at Daisy’s comment to me. When I’m with all of them—Lo and Lily, Rose and Connor, Ryke and Daisy—I thought for sure, I’d gravitate towards someone like Lily. Comic book geek, resident introvert, and a lover of pop culture.
But when we’re all together, Daisy keeps me the most company. She metaphorically opened her arms to me, and I walked straight into them. Life is unpredictable that way. Because I would’ve never predicted befriending Daisy Calloway of all the Calloway sisters.
We’re the closest in age, but it’s more than that. She never pressures me to fill the silence, and when I do talk, she always listens. Even if it’s about superheroes and comic books that she’s never heard of before.
Just three days ago, Daisy invited me to pick apples with her at an orchard.
She climbed an apple tree in the spur of the moment, and she gave me a tug and boost to the lowest tree limb. Something I never thought I’d do. She’s adventurous and spontaneous, but she likes the quiet more than most people would even believe.
We sat up there and just listened to the wind.
I love spending time with Daisy, and to hear that she loves me back floods me with warmth.
But at the sight of Lo’s sharp exterior, my small smile fades quickly.
“It’s cold out here,” he says. “Come inside.” His voice is like knives.
I follow Lo through the foyer. Soft voices emanate from the living room, reminding me that Lo lives with five other people and two infants. Everyone tries to stay hushed at night because of the two sleeping babies: Jane Cobalt and Maximoff Hale.
Lo veers into the living room, a typical set-up: long couch, loveseat, and a Queen Anne chair placed towards the television and fireplace. I’ve hung out here enough that I’m less and less uncomfortable every time I enter.
Tonight, however, I hug onto my backpack strap and hesitate on whether to sit or stand. We’re also not alone.
Rose Calloway, Lily’s older and fashionable sister, looms strictly by the window, her nightgown hidden with a silky black robe. And her brown hair is pulled in a tight pony. She looks simultaneously concerned and high-strung.
To add to the sheer intimidation, Connor Cobalt, her six-foot-four, dapper husband towers beside her. His confidence radiates like the rarest, most intoxicating cologne. Just like Lo, he wears drawstring pants—and his chiseled abs…holy crap. I can’t believe those are real.
Maggie would faint on the spot if she saw Connor Cobalt in his nightly glory.
I suddenly think, can he tell I’m staring at his abs? Paling, I whip my head towards Lo. What if Rose saw me ogling her husband?
This is so embarrassing.
That Willow Moore should’ve never been unleashed into the world. I hate that eulogy, but it’s staying for the moment.
Lo glances at me as he walks towards the kitchen door. I’m about to follow until he says, “Stay here for a second.” He rubs the back of his neck. “I need a minute.” He searches the room for only one person: a gangly girl in a muscle shirt (his muscle shirt) that covers her thighs.