Hailey put her hand on our little brother’s shoulder. The tension dissolved in me as I looked at him. His hair was just a smidge darker than mine, but he had it in a messy shag that was a pretty fair imitation of mine. I had to wonder if that was intentional. His eyes were lighter, more of a spring-day blue than deep-lake blue. But his face…

It was like looking into the past, and I was instantly reminded of myself at his age…if I could see myself without the emotional scars that had hovered around me. Because I didn’t see any trauma in the openness of Riley’s expression, didn’t see any sign of needing to be rescued in the innocence of his eyes. Looking at him choked me up. He was what I could have been…if life had given me a chance.

Hailey introduced us, and Riley—looking awestruck—extended his hand to me. “Wow, I watched some of your shows online. You’re…really good. I just started playing the guitar, but I hope I’m as good as you someday.” God, even his voice sounded like mine had, although, his lacked the edge of sarcasm, sadness, and fear.

Riley gave me a smile that matched the awe in his voice, and I laughed a little. He shouldn’t idolize me…but it was sweet that he did. Scuffing his messy hair, I told him, “Maybe I can teach you a thing or two one day.”

I heard Gavin making an emotional noise as he cleared his throat, and I peeked up at him. The look on his face was heavy with relief and regret. I felt trapped by his expression, and I couldn’t look away from him. Now that the anger was gone, the pain was starting to return. And so was the desire to run.

Hailey said something to Riley about giving us a minute, then she pulled him away. I felt Kiera’s hand in mine slipping, like she was going to leave too, and I instantly gripped her tight; I needed her here, I needed her strength. I felt like mine had completely left me.

Kiera put her hand on my arm, silently telling me that she wasn’t going anywhere. Gavin looked pained as he started talking. “Look, I know you’re mad at me…for walking out on you, and I don’t blame you, but I was young and foolish, and I hope you can give me a chance to make—”

Every word out of his mouth rekindled the anger inside me. And the fact that—like Riley—his voice also sounded like mine. Holding onto the fire in my stomach, I cut him off with a question. “Do you know what they did to me?”

He looked genuinely confused as he furrowed his brow. “Who? Your parents?”