Page 49 of What Remains

There might be something wrong with me.

Before you panic, I mean in the head. Also, this is your brother. On a temp phone.

Sis: Thank you for listening to my husband and reaching out. I assume he gave you no choice, though :)

Sis: Also, it’s normal to feel “off” after what happened.

I contemplate how to answer, priding myself on having an honest relationship with her. But I also don’t want to stress her out.

I settle on something slightly more manageable to digest than the ugly truth.

I want to eject Julian and his brother from the plane. I’ll give them chutes, though. I’m not that much of an asshole.

Sis: I shouldn’t be laughing, but I find it adorable you’re jealous. Healthy, even.

NOT jealous. WTF are you talking about?

I’m such a bad liar.

Sis: What are YOU talking about then?

Seeing Julian and Gideon reminds me of the mission we helped them on. You know, when I almost killed Wyatt’s daughter.

Bubbles come and go.

Sis: Interesting you’re suddenly referring to Gwen as “Wyatt’s daughter.” Why?

Because she IS my friend’s daughter. She’ll always be his baby, even if she’s twenty-seven.

And really, THAT’S all you picked up on with what I said?

Sis: I’ve spent months laying into you about not feeling guilty about the crash and you don’t listen, so why would you start now?

She has a point.

At the aching pain in my back, I reach around and flinch when I make contact. Damn Jezebel. I let go of a deep breath and mentally pop a few pain pills, hoping I’ll have a psychosomatic response and trick my brain into a placebo effect.

Maybe I need to hear it one more time?

Sis: Fine. Verdict: not guilty.

Sis: But really, are you okay? What happened is just . . .

Carter already gave me “the talk.” I’m fine.

Sis: Ohhh. And how’d that go?

As to be expected.

She’s quiet for a beat before texting again. I watch the dots percolate for a while and prepare myself for her to really lay into me. What she winds up sending is not what I expected.

Sis: You know, Gwen protected me at the hotel. Sacrificed herself so they’d leave me alone. She’s my hero, but I just, well, can’t believe this happened. Still shocked they managed to get to her, and Natasha blames herself since the trip was her idea. It was meant to distract Gwen so she’d stop being so depressed. Five of us girls. The guys were at Carter’s condo nearby, watching the kids.

I reread her rambly message. Twice. Was Gwen really in such a bad state that they had to steal her away on a vacation? Was I why she was depressed and needed to get away, ultimately making this my fault?

I pull myself together when another thought occurs to me. Wow, I’m a real asshole, aren’t I?

I should have asked you this about ten texts ago - but are YOU okay? Do you have a black eye?