It was impossible for others to understand. This tie to my brother that I refused to sever. “My aunt didn’t understand it either. It used to make her mad for days when I’d go visit him.”

“You visited Michael? After he tried to kill you…”

I had to look away, couldn’t take the shock on Brody’s face. I turned my focus to the window, the sea peeking through the wall of trees. “I didn’t go very many times. I thought maybe if he saw me while I was still recovering, it might get through to him. The damage he created might seem real.”

“But it didn’t,” Brody filled in.

“No, it didn’t. Michael didn’t care. He’s not equipped to. Don’t get me wrong. He’s able to mimic what care and concern look like. He’s even fooled the majority of the doctors at his facility. But it’s not real.” I glanced back at Brody. “I think that’s why your art pulls at me. You don’t shy away from reality. Even if it’s ugly.”

His hands tightened around my thighs, not painfully but with pressure, intensity. “But I’m starting to realize that the real isn’t all ugly either.”

“It’s not. Even with Michael. There’s good in him. There’s life. It just got twisted somehow. And that makes me feel even more guilty when the anger slips in. When I remember how terrified I was growing up, how my parents barely had time for me, how much I lost…I hate him.”

Brody released his hold on me. “Come here.”

“I’m here.”

In a flash, he’d lifted me so that I was cradled in his lap, my head pressed to his chest. The steady, strong beat of his heart reverberated against my cheek. His arms encircled me, holding on as if he’d never let go. “I can’t imagine going through what you did. I can’t imagine holding on to even a shred of that love.”

“I’m not noble.” Some days I felt like a complete coward. One who would’ve done anything to keep her brother locked up.

“You’re pretty damn amazing in my eyes.” His lips brushed the top of my head as he spoke, and I stopped breathing. Just the skim of them sent sparks of energy through me. I wanted to lean in to it. To feel more. Something told me that if I let myself fall, Brody James could make me feel more alive than I ever had before.

17

Brody

I opened the door slowly, guarding against any possible creak or groan. But there was none. I took in the form sprawled at a diagonal across the bed. Her brown hair was in wild disarray, lying across the three pillows she somehow managed to be using. Her face was relaxed, mouth slightly open.