“Well, then, it’s settled,” Richard exclaims, smacking his palm on the table. “You’ll have to bring her to the house, Aleck, and we’ll put on a show. I’ll play and she’ll sing.” He smiles, reaching for my mother’s hand.

I haven’t seen them glow this bright since… Well, I’m not sure I’ve ever induced this level of excitement for them.

I smile at Winter, trailing my fingers up to the back of her neck.

“Of course,” Winter says, her smile faltering. “I would love that, Richard.”

She smiles tightly, her thoughts the same as mine, no doubt. We’ve agreed not to see each other after the wedding. Or, it’s just understood, but my parents don’t know that. And maybe that was the biggest hiccup in bringing her here. Maybe that’s why I shouldn’t have. They’re painfully unaware that they’ll most likely never see her again. After the wedding, of course.

The finality of that realization hits me. My mouth becomes dry and the vice gripping my throat tightens as I realize our time together is shortly ending.

I feel like I’ve only just found you, my Winter storm in the middle of Sommer.

Suddenly looking past us, my mother displays a grin as wide as her face will allow. I turn my head, looking over my shoulder and see my brother at the entryway removing his suit jacket.

“Hayden,” she calls out. “What a surprise! Both of my boys are here for dinner… What a joy!”

Winter turns, laying her eyes on Hayden as he walks toward us with a shit-eating grin carved into his slimy face.

I whip my attention toward my parents. “I thought you said he wasn’t coming,” I spit.

“Aleck, please, he’s your brother. He’s always welcome in this house,” my father says.

“Try to get along, sweetheart,” my mother adds.

The energy shifts and a dark menacing cloud looms over us as Hayden walks out onto the deck.

“Yes, brother, try to get along, won’t you?” Hayden says, stepping behind Winter’s chair and resting his hand on her shoulder.

He better pray to whichever god will listen that I don’t end him before this night is over.

Especially if he messes with Winter.

TWENTY-FIVE

WINTER

I twist, glancing over my shoulder to see Hayden walking our way with a glint of satisfaction in his eye. Wonderful. We were having a really great evening without him. Now Aleck will be tense and temperamental. And let’s not forget that Aleck told him I’m some insignificant burden he stupidly humped. How stupid does that make me look?

Very. It wasn’t really a question.

“Yes, brother…” Hayden’s tone seeps into the atmosphere, turning it dark. “Try to get along, won’t you?”

The feeling of Hayden approaching the table behind me is kin to the feeling of walking through my apartment after having just watched a horror movie, turning my lights off one by one. The feeling that something—someone—shadowing behind me, gaining both speed and proximity as I pick up my pace, jump into my bed, then lift the blankets to my neck.