Redeemed (Dirty Air 4)

Damn. She’s smart, not leaving a trail for me to follow. I smile, captivated by her ingenuity. Somehow, I came across someone who doesn’t bother fitting the status quo of my life lately.

Instead of my usual moping, I grab my laptop and research how to hack someone’s cellphone. I hope to find out some information about my mysterious trespasser. Using someone’s detailed directions from a Reddit board, I attempt to unlock the phone. All I end up doing is forcing her phone to shut down after it takes a photo of me with the Face ID.

My phone buzzes from an incoming call, interrupting my next Reddit hack. I grab it and answer. “Hey.”

“So...don’t be mad,” my little sister coos into the phone like I’m a child.

I grunt in disapproval. “What did you do?”

“Well remember how I told you I wanted to visit you soon?”

“No, you must’ve forgotten that tiny fun fact in all three times we have talked over the past two weeks.”

“Well, I do call, but you don’t answer.”

I wince at the hurt in her voice. It’s not like I try to ignore her calls, but some days I can’t force myself to move, let alone speak. My reasoning doesn’t ease the guilt growing in my gut.

She lets out a nervous laugh. “Well, I miss you and want to visit. It’s been a month since I saw you last.”

“That’s because you’re traveling with Noah while he races.” Try harder to be nice, you irritable idiot.

She sighs. “You know he plans on retiring in a season or two.”

“Great. He deserves it after all his success.” I try with everything in me to not sound bitter, but the words come out like that anyway. It’s not Noah’s fault. He worked his ass off, competing and winning against the youngest talent year after year. Unlike me.

“You’re not being fair to yourself.”

“Life isn’t fair. Just because we’ve protected you from that lesson doesn’t mean the rest of us survive unscathed.” Shit. My mouth keeps getting me in trouble today. Maya doesn’t deserve my bitterness, no matter how much life pains me at times. “Maya, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. You know I would take on anything to make sure you were okay.”

She stays quiet for a few seconds before she sniffs.

Fuck. Not the sniffles. My chest tightens at upsetting the one person who means the most to me. “I’m sorry. You didn’t deserve that.”

“It’s okay. There are some lessons you can’t protect me from, no matter how much you want to.” Her voice cracks.

Something rumbles on the other side of the phone, and Maya protests before her voice fades away.

“If it isn’t the dickhead of the decade. How are you doing? Not that I should care after you upset Maya,” Noah snaps.

My life has become so fucked up that I’ve come to appreciate his dickishness toward me. It reminds me of how I’m very much still a grown-ass man. Anything is better than my parents who treat me like I’m made out of porcelain or Maya who hides stories about Noah and Marko because she doesn’t want to upset me.

“I would say good, but since I’m talking to you when you’re angry, I’ll go with regretful.”

He huffs. “Good idea. If you’re going to be a grumpy asshole, save it for everyone but your sister right now. Think you can manage such a small request?”

I grind my teeth. “Most definitely.”

“Good. I’ll save you the shock from our surprise since I know how much you love them. We will be at your house in an hour. Don’t make this an issue. We need your help, so strap on your fakest smile and drop the grumpy asshole routine for your sister.” Noah hangs up, leaving me slack-jawed and staring at my phone.

Shit.

My nephew, Marko, squeals as I throw him in the air. His dark hair flies around his face with the rush of air.

“Again! Again!” His blue eyes light up.

I carry him like an airplane, noises and all. Spending time with Marko is like chugging a glass of liquid sunshine. The little four-year-old takes away the darkness, and I love him more because of it.

“Look at that. The beast has a soft heart after all.” Noah smirks at me.