Chapter 70

I find Arrick in the garden on his own, sitting on a swing in the shadow of the trees under his childhood treehouse, lost in thought as he picks at the grass underneath him.

He looks crazy young, hanging from the seat to lean down, and it makes me hate how these past few weeks between us have been. It’s easy to forget all we are to each other when faced with all this bullshit. Watching him now reminds me of sitting here on summer days and laughing at his lame jokes. A happier time that warms me a little to my core.

I slide into the swing next to him and gaze at him for a moment, yet even though I can tell he sees me, he doesn’t react. Carries on picking at blades and acting like I’m invisible.

“You giving me the silent treatment now?” I nudge him by swinging myself over, and he frowns and carries on killing grass. He has the air of a petulant boy that’s more expected of his brother than him, and for the first time in weeks, he makes me raise a tiny smile at how chi