Rogue (Brothers of Paradise) by Olivia Hayle

Author:Olivia Hayle [Hayle, Olivia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-04-30T16:00:00+00:00

19

Hayden

Hayden, 18

Mile after mile of dark road. I take us out of Paradise Shores, in toward the country, the road guarded by the dark outlines of maple and birch. There’s no one on the road except us.

I don’t have a goal in mind, I just want to feel the wheels beneath me. Driving at night feels like flying. It feels like freedom.

Lily has her feet up on the dash. Her hair is splayed over her shoulders, and in the dim lighting it looks much darker than usual. She’s been quiet since we left the house. I can tell she’s still curious, but she’s not pressing. I don’t think I’ve ever loved her more than I do right now.

I reach over and put a hand on her smooth leg. Just to double-check that she’s here—that I haven’t lost her. Yet.

Lily threads her fingers through mine. Her skin is warm and soft, and she turns my hand over, lightly tracing each knuckle. “They’re getting so rough,” she murmurs. “From the fishing boats.”

Hauling nets and burning rope through my hands has taken its toll. They’re cracked in places, calluses sore on the inside of my palms. Against her soft skin my hands must feel like sandpaper.

I start pulling my hand away, but Lily won’t let me. “You’re not getting away,” she says and turns my hand back over. “I can read your palm, you know.”

“My future?”

Maybe she hears the tightness in my voice, or she can sense my emotions, but Lily just shakes her head. “Of course, but that’s to be expected. I’m more advanced than that.”

“Oh?”

“I can read your thoughts.”

“Through my palm?” She’s being outrageous, and I know it’s to cheer me up. It makes me feel even less deserving of her love, but I can’t give it up.

“Oh, yes. It’s a secret, ancient practice from… Antarctica.”

My lips twitch. “You learnt this from penguins?”

“Don’t mock me.”

“All right, all right. What am I thinking, then?”

She settles into the seat and traces a line across my palm, avoiding a sore spot. “You’re thinking about the car. It runs very smoothly, because I know Parker asked Gary to change some thingamajig or add oil or something. And you’re enjoying the way it feels.”

She’s right about that. The car is an old, beautiful Jeep, only used by the kids. I’ve driven it before, but only with Parker, when he’s been too drunk to drive himself after a party. I’ve driven it when I’ve picked up Lily, too, after school. I know where the keys are kept in the garage.

But I’m not supposed to take it out for a spin like this.

“Yes, I did think that. That’s an easy one.”

Lily flicks my thumb. “You’re thinking that you’re going to take Sunday off work to join Parker and me when we go sailing.”

“Good try, Lils.” I glance over at her. She’s smiling, looking mischievous and too cute for her own good. “But you know I have to work.”

“Fine, you’re thinking that you wish you could take Sunday off.”

“All right, then it’s correct.

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