Brother After Dark

Chapter Fifty-Four

Blaire.

The weather felt so cool, and the skies were beautiful. Normally, days like this made me feel happy. But not today.

I’ve been living in the guestroom at Damien’s house since he brought me here after the spectacle that went down at the hotel in Charleston. Seated on the big floral bed with a white teddy bear clutched to my chest, I drowned myself in deep thought.

I was alone, sad, confused. I barely ate because I just didn’t have the appetite. I couldn’t sleep because of the disturbing thoughts in my head. More than anything, I missed Zach like crazy!

I became anxious at each passing hour, waiting for him to come to me. It’s been two days and he has not reached out to me, whether by call or text message. I was worried. I’ve called him several times since I came here with Damien, but he didn’t answer any of my calls. I just pray to God that he’s safe… he’s well… and that all of these will be over soon.

Although it was hard to stay away, I didn’t want to disturb whatever he was doing out there anymore. He said he went home to sort some things with Dad. I might put him in trouble if I persist in my effort to contact him. Have I not caused him enough problems in one day?

Yet, I cannot shake off this feeling that something is off. Something was happening and I wasn’t doing anything to stop it.

I heard a soft knock on my door, shaking me out of my thoughts. I knew who it was already. He’s been my host since we came here and the only one who always checked up on me, even though we have not spoken much to each other since the ugly incident at the hotel a few days earlier.

“Come on in, Damien,” I called out to him and studied my fingernails. They needed filing but who cared about nail grooming now that my life was in shambles? Without Zach, I was empty.

The door creaked open, and Damien appeared. He stood at the entrance while he closed the door behind him, unsure of himself.

“Hi,” I greeted him with a smile.

“Hi,” he replied and fidgeted.

“You need something?” I asked.

“Is it okay if we talk...now?” he asked with uncertainty.

I nodded and patted a vacant space beside me on the bed. He came to me and sat down beside me.

We were silent for some time. He hasn’t spoken to me since we arrived here except to say “hi” or asked if I needed something around the house. This would be the first time. I could feel his nervousness and displeasure. I understood him perfectly.

Finally, he cleared his throat. “Uhm, Blaire, I feel it’s time we talk as... family,” he began slowly, picking his words patiently. I nodded and glued my eyes to my nails. I could feel him staring at me, but I couldn’t bear to look him in the eyes.

“I am disappointed in you, you know that, right?” he blurted. “But I still love you. You are my favorite cousin after all.”

Hearing him say that weakened my resolve, and I suddenly broke down in tears. Instinctively, I hugged him, wetting his clothes with my tears. Those were the most comforting words I’ve heard in days. I realized that what I really needed at that moment was a family who was willing to understand not just me, but Zach as well. Or was willing to still love me, and not judge me.

He sighed and hugged me back. He patted my hair and mumbled reassuring words to me. After a while, we pulled apart and he wiped my tears with his fingers.

“What are you planning to do?” he asked. Sympathy at my helpless state was evident in his voice. I didn’t answer but continued to sob in his arms.

“Remember that no one in the family can accept you and Zach.”

I nodded. “I know,” I said amidst the sobs.

“I’m probably the most forgiving person in this family, and I still found it difficult to accept what I learned about you and Zach.” He pulled away from me and look into my eyes. “For me, you and Zach are both my cousins. I have always seen you as brother and sister, even though Zach was adopted. But in a way, I cannot blame you, guys. The two of you were apart for a long time. You met randomly in a concert where more than fifty percent of the people go to hook up.” He paused, wiped my tears again his fingers, then continued. “You are both very good-looking people, too. So, I understand that it was easy to make that mistake.”

Despite our griefs, we still chuckled at his humorous compliments.

“What happened to you guys was very unfortunate, I must admit, and I feel so sorry for you two.” I believed he meant that.

I heaved a deep sigh and tried to stop the tears. He left the bed and went to my dressing table to bring me some Kleenex.

“What do you plan to do?” he asked for the second time.

I shook my head. “I don’t know yet. Zach has not been picking up his phone. Something must be up,” I told him with my cracked voice.

“Probably,” he agreed. “He looked worried when he got a call from your father. But I trust that whatever Z is doing, it’s for you, so you won’t get hurt,” he concluded.

I smiled. The thought of Zach out there in the world fighting for me as he had always done since we were little brought warmth in my heart. “Zach has been looking out for me when we were kids,” I said, tears continuing to well up my eyes. “My parents never really cared about me.”

Damien didn’t say anything for a while. Then an idea came to me. I looked hard at Damien and squeezed his hands. “Please, can I ask you a favor?”

“Sure,” he answered with a shrug.

“Drive me back home,” I demanded.

He stared at me, puzzled. “What do you want to do?” he asked anxiously.

My dreamy eyes searched his. I smiled again and released his hands, then I grabbed his shoulders with desperation. “I will tell my parents that I'm in love with Zach.”