| |
What the fuck happened here?
Jake’s thoughts echoed through Josh’s head.
Hell, if we know. C’mon, let’s clean this up. Josh sighed. “We’ll clear up for you, Mrs A.”
They didn’t wait for a response and went into the kitchen.
“She was hugging him,” Jake hissed.
Not out loud. Josh projected his thoughts to his other half.
Being able to communicate without speaking was something they’d always been able to do. It was another reason why they knew they were one person. They were extensions of the other in an identical body.
She probably argued with her mum. She’s not scared of Wendy, so it wasn’t anything he did. Josh took out the dustpan and brush from under the sink, and they went back into the living room.
Lily was in front of the fireplace, her arms around her waist. She looked terrified, her face as white as a sheet. Nate and Matt looked lost, and her mother was hovering, wringing her hands. No one was speaking, and the tension in the room was thick enough to cut.
Josh cleared his throat. “So, yeah, it might be worth us taking the vacuum over after to catch any little bits. Where is it, Lil?”
The blank look he got told him she hadn’t registered. “The vacuum?” He smiled at her.
“Oh, yes! Of course, hang on.” She darted into the kitchen, Matt and Nate right behind her.
Lynda moved to follow, but Jake blocked her way. “Are you okay? Did you get hurt?” he asked.
Her lips tightened as she shook her head. “No one got hurt, it was just an accident. Nothing to worry about.”
“She told us he’s her dad,” Josh said, sweeping the glass into the pan.
“Be careful, don’t cut yourself.” She ignored what he’d said, looking at the closed kitchen door. “I should make sure she’s okay.”
“Matt will make sure,” Josh said, checking to see if he’d missed anything. “We don’t really know Drew that well, isn’t he nice?”
“No, he’s not a nice man. He puts out this aura that he’s trustworthy, kind, gentle. A wolf in sheep’s clothing.” She took the brush and pan from Josh. “Thank you.”
“No problem. Do you believe in seven years bad luck?” Jake pointed at the broken mirror.
“I don’t believe in that rubbish.” She sneered.
“You don’t want to bury the glass under the moonlight then?” Josh asked.
She stared at him as if he was mad.
“We always do it. Y’know, just in case. No harm in covering all your bases.” He grinned, but she didn’t respond, just went towards the kitchen. Jake touched his lower back, and they followed.
Lily was cuddled into Matt’s arms, her face turned away from them. Nate caught their attention, the short shake of his head told them she hadn’t said anything.
“I need to talk to you, Lily.” Her mother showed no reaction to Matt hugging her.
Lily stepped away from Matt, wiping her eyes, and an urge to scoop her into his arms swept through Josh. It was like an itch under his skin, made worse by the fact Jake was feeling the same. He moved closer to Jake and rested his hand on his shoulder, easing the itch a little.
“Boys, I think you should go now.”
They stepped closer to Lily, not about to leave her yet. She needed them, more than ever.
“It’s fine, Mum, there’s really nothing to talk about. I’m sorry I shouted at you and lost my temper. It’s been so...” She flapped her hands as more tears ran down her face.
Bloody hell, what a mess. Josh itched to envelop her between them.
Amen.
Lily straightened her back and took a deep breath. “It’s fine and I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”
Lynda’s fingers worked at the hem of her jumper, her gaze flicking between them. “It’s been too much. Lily, we need to talk—”
“No more. Not tonight.” She shook her head. “I can’t do any more tonight. I’ve had enough.”
“What do you want to do, Lily?” Matt asked.
“I need some air.” She rubbed her face, her hands shaking.
“We can walk through the woods for a bit. It’s not dark yet,” Nate suggested.
“Yes, please, can we?” Lily’s relief was apparent.
Anger flashed over Lynda’s face. “Take a coat and don’t stay out after dark.” She let Lily pass but stopped Matt from following.
“What has she told you?” she demanded, when Lily was out of earshot.
“She told us Drew is her biological father, and you’re her biological aunt. We know her mother died in a car accident, and you’ve looked after her since she was a baby,” Matt answered.
“Is that all?”
“She said you don’t trust Drew.” Matt shrugged. “He is odd.”
“I know you’re dating her, Matt. Don’t take advantage of her,” she told him.
“What? What do you mean?” Jake demanded.
“He knows what I mean, don’t you?”
“I won’t take advantage of her, Mrs Adair, I promise you that,” Matt replied.
“You’d better not. It won’t matter whose son you are if you take advantage of how emotionally unsettled she is now.”
Bloody hell, can you imagine the freak fest when she finds out?
We’ll deal with that when it happens, hopefully not for a long time though. Josh squeezed Jake’s shoulder.
“I’m ready.” Lily came into the room, putting her coat on.
“Don’t be out late,” Lynda warned.
“I won’t.” Lily crossed to the back door and went out with Matt behind her.
Josh let go of Jake, and they followed, murmuring goodbye to Lynda. She slammed the door behind them, making Lily jump. Matt caught her hand as they headed to the stile in the hedge.
The itch flared under Josh’s skin, made twice as bad by the itching under his twin’s skin. They were desperate to get their hands on her, to find out what was wrong and fix it.
Are we going to be able to keep how we feel about her hidden?
Josh looked at Jake. “We have to. We don’t have a choice.”
