The Sisters' Secrets: Reen

by Katlyn Duncan

  The boat slowed, and she blinked back to the present. She stood much closer to him than she had before. His chin dipped lower, and if she lifted on her toes, she could kiss him. His breath was hot against her face, and she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do. Was he going to kiss her? Would she let him?

  Brody licked his lips before stepping away and walking to the bow of the boat.

  Reen released a breath. Even though she was in the shade, her cheeks burned as if the sun were directly above her.

  Brody pulled the anchor out and placed it in the water. She watched him set it, unable to tear her eyes from the way his arm muscles tightened and loosened as he got the anchor into place. Once he finished, he tied it off and turned around. He caught her staring and the corner of his lips quirked.

  Reen whipped around toward the seats. ‘Are you hungry?’ She grabbed the cooler and lifted the top. She felt around the items and wondered if she had been wrong about having enough.

  ‘Yes,’ he said, sitting on the bench seat next to her. He tilted his head toward the sky and sighed.

  ‘What’s on your mind?’ she asked, trying to push the almost-kiss out of her mind.

  His hand was inches from hers. His hands were much larger than she remembered, but the familiar curve of his rounded fingernails hadn’t changed. ‘So many things.’

  She knew the feeling. Digging deeper would get to what she wanted, but the fear of being wrong overwhelmed her. ‘I have two sandwiches. Rose didn’t have much in her refrigerator, but I made it work.’

  He sat up straighter and peered at the plastic-wrapped sandwiches. His hand brushed against hers. Reen stared into the reflection of herself in his sunglasses. ‘Looks good.’

  As they ate, Reen couldn’t help glancing his way several times as she took in the view. In the short time it took them to get out there, they were more at ease with each other. She could have made it up entirely, but she read people well. Without Krystal, he was completely free to do as he wished. He said he liked to keep things casual. Starting something with him, even if it were casual, was dangerous. If she pushed to that limit, maybe they’d realize they were no longer kids and they could both move on with their lives. Possibly stay friends. She no longer wanted to ignore this place or the people in it.

  If he were up for it, she’d dive into something with the time she had left and worry about the consequences later.

  When they finished eating, Brody stood up and stretched, pulling his shirt off. ‘Up for a swim?’

  ‘Not if I don’t want a cramp,’ Reen said, admiring his physique. Her fingers itched to move over the peaks and valleys of his taut abdomen.

  ‘Oh, come on. That’s not the girl I remember.’

  ‘I’m not the girl you remember.’

  He walked closer to her, slow enough to look like a shark ready to attack. ‘I think you need a little reminder.’ Digging his arms under her, he lifted her from the seat.

  She grabbed his shoulders and squeaked as he walked over to the back edge of the boat.

  ‘You wouldn’t dare,’ she said.

  He lifted his chin. ‘You know I never turn down a dare.’

  Reen pressed her fingers into his arms. If she were going down, she wasn’t going alone. He pulled off his sunglasses and then hers, tossing them onto the seat.

  ‘You’re going to regret this,’ she said.

  His mouth dipped lower, and for a split second, she thought he was going to kiss her. One moment, they were standing, and the next they were in the air.

  The water enveloped her as Brody’s arms fell away. It was the same feeling as when she walked into the water at her old house. She finally was able to breathe. She cut through the surface and inhaled. Shoving her hair from her face, she looked around for Brody. Something brushed against her leg, and she dove, grabbing for him.

  Their hands met underwater, and she pulled him up.

  Breathing heavily, they stared at each other. If anyone saw Reen and Brody, it would look as if they were two friends playing around; under the surface was another story. Their fingers intertwined as Reen’s legs coiled around his body. The rush of her heartbeat whooshed in her ears, but she couldn’t move or look away. Droplets of water beaded on his face and dripped into the larger body of water surrounding them.

  Reen licked her lips, tasting the place she’d called home for most of her life.

  Brody’s gaze darted to the movement. Before she could question it, she leaned toward him, enough for him to still refuse her if he wanted to. He didn’t. His mouth crushed against hers, hard enough that she pulled away for a second, only to catch her breath. The corners of his lips lifted, and his hand slid over her cheek before gently pulling her toward him again. This time, his kiss was gentler and slower. Fireworks exploded behind her eyes. She kicked her feet out to stay afloat, but she wanted so much more. If she didn’t jump at the opportunity, she wondered if she’d regret it as much as leaving.

  Again, she broke off the kiss, even though she wanted to dive under the surface with him and kiss until her heart’s content. ‘Let’s get on the boat.’

  They swam over and scrambled up the small platform. Reen got on first, and she turned to Brody. A tingling ache flooded her body. Brody climbing the boat from the water painted a picture of a male model stepping off the cover of a women’s magazine. In the minute they were apart, Reen wondered if he’d changed his mind. If the kiss had been a mistake or a fleeting moment of passion.

  Her hesitation disappeared when he stalked over to her. The boy from her youth was gone. In front of her stood a man with as much burning desire inside of him as the flames licking inside of her.

  She’d broken off their kisses before but wouldn’t make that mistake again. Lifting onto her toes, she leaned in to him, pressing her mouth against his. Something awoke inside of her. She couldn’t believe she was there, with Brody. This was the homecoming she’d longed for. It was the one piece of her life she’d missed the most, without even realizing it.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Since the afternoon at the boat, the days flew by. Once again, Reen and Brody were inseparable, and they didn’t care who knew. It was as if someone had snapped two fingers and the years splitting them apart disappeared in an instant. Their separation happened, and then it was over. Without any formal agreement, Brody forgave her. And for the first time, she forgave herself. Neither dwelled in the reasons for her leaving the first time. They threw around the word casual when Rose asked about their future. Reen had no ties to her place in West Virginia, but it hovered over her like a black cloud, momentarily disrupting her happiness for moments each day. The two towns were separate, and she’d convinced herself they’d never collide.

  While Mom’s status hadn’t changed for the better or worse, Reen didn’t find it necessary to visit as often as Rose did. She fell asleep and woke with Brody each morning, allowing his schedule to dictate her day.

  The Fourth of July fireworks were another long-standing tradition of The Burrow. Out of all the town-wide activities, they were her favorite. Mostly because they took place at night, under cover of the stars, and it was harder for the overseeing eyes of the locals to spot what mischief she got up to. This year, she wanted to blend in like a local, without drawing attention. All she wanted was to lie on a beach towel with Brody by her side and enjoy their time together while the sky exploded above them.

  ‘You want something to eat?’ Brody asked, hooking a thumb in the direction of the food tents.

  ‘Whatever you want,’ Reen said, tucking her beach bag under her arm. ‘How about I find a spot for us over there?’

  Brody lifted his chin in that direction. ‘I think I see Rose and Missy.’

  Reen blanched. ‘Okay, how about over there?’ She pointed the opposite way.

  Both their sisters had conflicting emotions about Brody and Reen being together. Rose wasn’t as obvious, but Missy constantly questioned their future each time she saw them. Reen wanted a break for the night.

&n
bsp; Brody laughed and kissed her, long and slow, enough to make her toes dig into her flip-flops. ‘I’ll be right back.’

  Reen watched him walk away, and for the inevitable glance over his shoulder. He’d done it when they were teens, and the tradition continued. When their eyes met once more, Reen sighed and headed off to find a spot for them to sit.

  ‘Reen,’ a voice said, and a chill wrapped around her spine.

  She squeezed her eyes closed, wishing it was someone else. ‘Darin, what are you doing here?’ She forced a smile, but almost at once, her cheeks trembled.

  Eyeliner smudged the skin under his narrowed eyes. He must have flown here from a show. He cut a hand through his thick black hair as a smug smile crossed his face. It was the same one he used when girls from his shows approached him. Right now, he had the upper hand. ‘I asked around about you. I wanted to surprise you.’

  Reen glanced at the food tent, being careful not to catch Brody’s attention. Please stay there. She wanted to move away from Darin but couldn’t force her legs to obey her thoughts. He stepped closer, and she backed away.

  In the time since she and Brody had started their little fling, Reen hadn’t thought to break it off with Darin. She thought she had more time and never imagined he’d come after her.

  ‘These people.’ He opened his arms out wide, bumping into a couple walking by. He didn’t apologize. ‘They were more than happy to talk about one of their own.’ His voice made her think of a snake or a large cat. It was slick and cunning, and held a meaning she didn’t want to decipher. ‘I think I learned more about your past from them than I have since we met.’

  ‘I told you I was coming back.’

  Darin slid an arm around her shoulders. She tried to move away from him, but his hand clamped down, keeping her in place.

  Her eyes darted over the crowd.

  ‘Is your sister here? I’d love to meet her,’ Darin said.

  At least if she brought Darin over to Rose, she could delay the meeting between the two men in her life.

  ‘Rose is over there,’ Reen said, making a vague motion in her direction.

  Darin led the way, keeping his grip on her shoulder. Her throat tightened. She was almost grateful for his arm, as her steps became more unsteady by the second.

  ‘What have you been up to?’ Darin asked. ‘I figured since you haven’t returned my calls, you were busy with your mother.’

  ‘I—’

  ‘Reen?’ Brody said.

  A breath caught in her throat. As she turned to him, her insides crumbled.

  The paper plates folded under Brody’s hands. She’d been hungry before, but now, she wanted nothing more than to throw up. Swallowing against the sour taste in her mouth, she tried to smile.

  Brody’s light eyebrows lifted. ‘Who’s this?’

  ‘I’m Darin. Reen’s boyfriend. Who are you?’

  Reen clenched her jaw. They’d never made their relationship official. She knew why he’d said it, though. Somehow, he knew Brody meant a lot to her, and he was trying to cause a scene.

  Watching Brody’s face crumple was like seeing a car crash. She couldn’t tear herself away from the devastation and hurt twisting his face.

  ‘This is Brody,’ Reen said. ‘A f-friend from high school.’

  ‘A friend,’ Darin said, eyeing his competition. He didn’t believe her, but Darin had always been the type to comment on anyone looking at Reen for more than a few seconds. In the past, she’d brushed it off, but now, with someone else interested in her, she wasn’t sure what he’d do.

  Brody trapped his lip under his teeth. He didn’t meet her eyes. ‘I don’t know what’s going on here, but she doesn’t look like she wants you to be that close.’

  Reen wished she had the power to disappear or turn back time. She would have never come to the fireworks if she knew Darin had sneaked his way through town looking for her. If only her fellow Burrowians had afforded her the same courtesy as they did for Darin, and told her that he was in town. This was karma’s slap in the face.

  ‘I don’t think you want to speak to me like that,’ Darin warned.

  Brody scoffed. ‘What? Are you going to fight me now?’

  ‘Guys,’ Reen warned.

  ‘I knew you were screwing around on me.’ Darin’s lips curled over his teeth. ‘I had to see it for myself since you didn’t answer my texts or calls.’

  ‘Reen, is this true? Are you dating this guy?’ Brody asked. ‘I never would have – if I knew…’ Words eluded him as much as they did her.

  ‘Reen,’ Rose said from behind her.

  Reen groaned. Could this get any worse?

  Darin turned, pulling Reen with him. Rose and Missy stood there. Missy narrowed her eyes at the newcomer, crossing her arms tight over her chest. Reen tried to convey her distress to Rose, but the way her sister’s lips pressed tightly together, it was as if she already knew what had happened.

  ‘Rose, I presume?’ Darin said, uncurling his fingers from his grip on Reen’s arm. ‘I’m Darin, Reen’s boyfriend.’

  Rose opened her hand to Darin, and they shook. Even in the open space, tension thickened the air.

  Reen shook her head. He’d never claimed her as much as he had in the brief time since his arrival at her home. She never wanted anything long-term with him. He was fun, that was all. A few times, she’d witnessed him getting in his band members’ faces about one thing or another, but it was a trait she’d always brushed off, knowing they weren’t going to be together forever.

  ‘Reen, I wanted to show you something,’ Rose said, not taking her eyes off Darin.

  ‘Great,’ Darin said. ‘I want to get to know Reen’s hometown some more.’

  Missy stepped forward. ‘Just Reen.’

  Darin eyed Missy. ‘Reen, I thought you said people in this town were nice.’

  ‘We’re nice enough,’ Missy said. ‘To those who respect our locals. Your girlfriend looks uncomfortable.’

  Darin angled his chin toward Reen. ‘You said you wanted nothing to do with these people and this pathetic small town. Weren’t those your words?’

  Rose stiffened, and Reen had the urge to take her by the hand and tell her they weren’t.

  ‘I think you should leave,’ Brody said. ‘We’re all here to have an enjoyable time, and you’re clearly not welcome.’

  ‘I – I’ll go with you,’ Reen said, unable to face her family and friends.

  ‘Of course you will,’ Darin said. ‘Pack up your things and come home with me.’

  ‘No,’ Reen said, tugging out of his vice grip. ‘I’m staying in town.’

  Darin reached for Reen again.

  Brody stood between them. ‘I suggest you walk away, man.’

  Darin puffed his chest before shoving Brody. ‘I suggest you mind your fucking business.’

  Brody’s body crashed into Reen’s side, and she lost her balance. Black spots exploded in her vision as his elbow smashed into her stomach. A steady hand gripped her arm, and for a second, she thought Darin was going to pull her up. Instead, she came face to face with Missy.

  ‘You all right?’ she asked.

  Reen nodded, catching her breath.

  ‘HEY!’ Shane’s voice ripped through the crowd.

  Rose stood next to him. In the scuffle, Reen hadn’t seen Rose run off to get help.

  Darin and Brody were in the thick of it as Shane and another young officer grabbed both guys, tearing them away from each other. Within seconds, Shane had Darin’s hands behind his back, and even Darin knew when to give up.

  ‘He came at me first,’ Darin said as if he were a child on a playground.

  Reen couldn’t hold down the sick feeling in her stomach anymore. She leaned over and gagged. A dull ache bloomed in her middle, and she choked on the air lodged in her throat. Rose rubbed a hand over her back in soothing circles. The heat from the night and the scuffle coursed through her and she wanted nothing more than to run into the ocean and stay under the surface for as long as
possible.

  But with Shane and another police officer dragging Brody and Darin off the beach, she couldn’t hide anymore. The reminder of why she’d come to town came back full force. She’d lost sight of it all and brought Brody into her messy life again.

  On the way to Shane’s police car, Darin continued to blame Brody for the fight. Reen followed, and she thought she noticed a smirk on Shane’s face as he pushed him into the back seat. Brody didn’t put up a fight with the officer. He was almost too quiet.

  ‘Can I borrow your car?’ Reen asked Rose.

  ‘Do you want me to come with you?’ Rose asked, handing over her keys.

  ‘No,’ Reen said. ‘I need to clean up my mess.’

  ‘Look what you did,’ Missy said.

  ‘This isn’t the time,’ Rose said, ever the peacekeeper.

  ‘You screwed him over again,’ Missy said, ignoring Rose. ‘How many times are you planning to hurt him, Reen?’

  Reen heaved a breath and blinked away tears. She could have turned around and screamed at Missy, but she was right. Reen was also right to leave all those years ago. She had no business in Brody’s life after she’d hurt him repeatedly. It was what she did. He deserved better.

  #

  Once she reached the police department, Reen headed for the front desk and asked for Shane. She wasn’t sure how busy he was processing Brody or Darin, or whatever they did for a fight, but the police officer escorted her back to Shane’s office without a second glance. It was as if Shane had informed the officer to expect her, or Rose had warned him she was coming.

  Reen trailed behind the male officer, wondering how she was going to get Brody out of this. Even though Missy was Rose’s best friend, Shane didn’t seem the type to play favorites. Brody had been as involved in the fight as Darin. The only thing she could do was tell the truth and hope she didn’t cause any more damage than she already had.

  When Reen arrived, the office door was open. She shuffled to the entrance and stood, waiting for Shane to invite her inside.