Page 203 of Five Brothers

“I wanted to help,” I explain. “I just—”

“When I need your help, I will ask for it,” he snaps. “I don’t need someone else to babysit. You understand?”

I recoil, a feeling like I want to hide washing over me. He’s looking at me like I’m stupid.

He likes me in his kitchen and in his room. Not anywhere else.

“Take her home,” he orders.

Santos, who I didn’t see arrive, steps up.

I can’t look at Macon. “I have a car,” I say, and start to walk past him.

“And make sure she doesn’t leave,” he calls out.

Santos takes my wrist, but before I can pull away, I hear a voice. “Don’t touch her,” someone else says.

I look up at Trace. Eyes hard, he stands tall—taller than I’ve ever seen him—and everything goes quiet. Even the rain.

Santos releases me.

Trace takes a few steps closer to his brother. Macon turns to face him.

“You can talk to us like that,” Trace says. “Because sometimes we deserve it, but she’s not your property.”

My eyes sting. Macon stands toe to toe with his brother, getting in his face.

Trace stays rooted. “I won’t hit back,” he tells him, “but I’m not gonna back up anymore.”

I almost smile.

“With her,” he says to Macon, “you have to be gentle.”

“You taking her back?” Macon dares him.

Taking me back. Like I’m an object who doesn’t speak.

I look away, but I see Trace turn to me out of the corner of my eye. I meet his gaze.

“Can I have you back?” he asks.

I open my mouth, but I don’t say anything. I don’t want to start up with Trace again, but I also love that he’s asking. It feels like something has changed inside of him.

He steps over, takes my hand, and says, “I’ll give you a ride home.”

He starts to lead me away, but I pull him back and hug him tight. My chest fills up with something, and I don’t know what itis, but it feels good. I wish we’d started like this. As friends. “I love you, too,” I whisper.

I take off Liv’s raincoat and turn to Macon, stepping closer. “You weren’t going to keep me, were you?”

He stares.

I force down the lump in my throat. “If I make love to you …”

I lower my voice. “I don’t think I’m ever going to want anyone else.” I gaze at him, desperate for everyone else to disappear so he’ll let me touch him. “Will you keep me?”

His chest falls hard.

I want him to keep me, but something is holding him back. Maybe it’s my age. Maybe he thinks his health will be a burden on me.