Twist of Fate (Kings of Chaos 6)

I smirk at Casp. As the younger of my brothers, he was automatically easier to deal with than Ellis. Big brother had the weight of the world placed on his shoulders and was often charged with caring for us and helping out Mom while Dad was working. If he ever resented that, he hid it well.

Meeting Casper’s sparkling, chocolate brown gaze, I nod my head in agreement. With his curly brown hair, oval-shaped face, olive skin, and lanky build, he’s the perfect blend of both my parents. In his skinny jeans and black rimmed glasses, he embodies the word hipster.

“It would appear so.”

“I’m not complaining. I like money as much as the next person,” he says with a shrug.

I laugh, and Ellis turns toward me.

“What?”

“Nothing. We’re going to run out of mac and cheese and coleslaw in the next hour if we don’t send people off for prep,” I reply.

“I know. This is insane for a week day.”

“It’s summer, and we’re good food on a budget for college kids trying to save up for their next semester,” I counter.

“Yeah, you’re right. Let me know when you want to head out, and Casp will take over on the register.”

“Why me?”

“Because you’re prettier,” Ellis says.

Casp rolls his eyes.

“It’s true, Casp,” I tease.

“Screw both of you.”

Casp breathes through his nose. “Humph.”

Ellis nudges me with his elbow, and I laugh until my stomach aches. For a moment in time, we’re just three siblings, working at a job they love together. I hold the snapshot of time close to my heart, capturing it in a freeze frame and storing it in my memory. In a few weeks, they’ll be splitting their time between the new truck and here. I won’t see them nearly as much.

“I’ll go now. Let Casp switch over. I don’t want us to run out in the middle of a rush.”

As we leave the truck, I can’t help but shake the feeling that this is the beginning of the end.

***

Shayne

/> It’s strange how easy it is to slip into my new life. It feels good to work with my hands. I don’t mind dealing with the public in small doses now that I’ve learned to channel my charm into more than flirting. I’m actually enjoying learning the trade. One thing my dad handed down was his love for grilling. Off the top of my head, I can make at least five mean marinades and sauces. This reminds me of that time in my life when he was like Superman—we all did things as a family, and the future lay in front of us like an endless blacktop road that ran through sun-kissed California scenery.

There’s also a feeling of accomplishment I haven’t experienced in a long time.

I finish storing the sanitized equipment. It’s almost quitting time, and like most nights the brothers left earlier to attend to other things. I don’t think they mean to be dicks, but the effect is the same regardless. “Hail to the Chief” by Avenge Seven Fold blares from Xia’s pocket, and she sighs.

“Hey, Dad. … Yeah, we’re just about ready to close up for the night. … What? No. … Yeah, they’re long gone. … Do I have—” She rolls her eyes. “It’s awfully last minute, don’t you think?” She grits her teeth, and her eyes darken with anger. “Yeah. … Oh, I know. … Uh huh. Of course, I will. … Yep, you too.” I’d never heard a person pop a P and make it sound like a bullet until now.

I stand and take a step back. “Everything okay?”

“We’re being rewarded for all our hard work this month. A night out on the company dime.” Her words are tinged with annoyance. I’m not offended by her outward aversion to me when I see the longing in her gaze. It’s clear she’s used to living a life of denial. I’ve never been the type to curb anything.

It makes the pursuit a lesson in patience and real want. Lust is easy— a hot, quick burst of pleasure that’s forgotten when the moment passes. What I feel for Xia is a slow burn simmering beneath the surface. It’ll take more than a few nights to assuage myself of the ache in the pit of my stomach.

“Do you always do what your fathers asks you to?” I want to get inside of her head and see what makes her tick. Her life has been the polar opposite of mine, and any good hunter takes the time to learn about its prey.

“No.”