ChapterSixteen
Tomas
The engine of the truck purrs as I roll up in front of my house. I feel Alex tense when I shut off the engine, her curious gaze sweeping over the stony gray chateau.
She clears her throat and asks, “What are we doing here?”
“Need party supplies.” I step out, pause, and peer across the center console at her. “You coming or what?”
She pops open the door and tentatively sticks her leg out. Rolling my eyes, I round the back of the truck and catch her hand so she doesn’t fall and crack her skull open on the ground. The last thing I need is for her to kill herself before I can sink my dick into her twat. She squeezes my hand, steps confidently onto the gravel, and then snatches her hand away while whispering, “Thanks.”
“Yeah.”
Inside feels cold and drab, a reminder that this place is more like a prison than a home. My sister gasps when she notices me walk inside, launching across the living room at lightning speed. I catch her in a crushing hug, causing her to giggle maniacally as I carry her with me to the stairs.
“Tomas, you’re home!” She pats my shoulders. “Wait, who’s that?”
I set her on the carpet near the stairs and reply, “This is Alex.” I wrap my arm around her shoulder while turning her toward Alex and say, “Alex, this is Adelaide.”
“You’re so pretty,” my sister says with a giggle. “Your hair is so long! I want to grow my hair out like that too.”
Alex smiles warmly. “I think you’re pretty too. I love your ribbons.”
“Oh, these?” Adelaide marches confidently toward Alex and says in a conspiratorial whisper, “Tomas did them earlier, but he’ll never admit that.”
My cheeks burn when Alex throws me a sly grin. “Really?” she says to Adelaide. “Well, he did a wonderful job.”
“I know, right? Most boys can’t do any kind of braids.” She shrugs nonchalantly and then grabs Alex’s hand. “But I bet you could braid better than Tomas. Can I play with your hair?”
I’m honestly in shock. Adelaide isn’t usually this chatty. Her proud attitude and confidence are wonderful things to witness, that’s for sure, but it’s close to her bedtime. Alex is just a toy, not a glorified babysitter. And I have drugs to do.
My hand lingers on the banister as I watch them. I can’t help how good it makes me feel to see them get along, especially when my sister constantly suffers the wrath of our careless mother. I cough lightly and say, “Addie, it’s bedtime, sweetheart.”
She pouts but obeys, wandering toward me with her hand extended. “Can you read me a story, Tommy?”
“Tommy?”
I silence Alex with a death glare. “Only Addie gets to call me that.”
“Right.” She holds up her palms. “Of course.”
“Tommy, can Alex see the princess castle we built?”
Those puppy dog eyes are my fault. Adelaide has been perfecting that expression for years, the sight of it making me crumble faster each time. The way this one hits me is devastating and I cave, nodding for Alex to follow us to the second floor.
My sister chats excitedly with Alex next to her, showing off the pink LEGO blocks we put together and then pointing out the fairy lights woven in the canopy above her bed. She leaves to change into pajamas and then returns to crawl into bed, patiently waiting for me to tuck her in. As soon as the blankets are under her chin, I kiss her forehead.
“Hey, if you’re really good tonight,” I whisper, “we’ll go for ice cream tomorrow.”
“Promise?”
I hold up my pinkie. “Promise.”
She giggles, hooks her pinkie in mine, and shakes it. “Okay, Tomas. Good night.”
“Good night, princess.”
While I drop by my room to scoop up some drugs and take Alex back with me to the car, I pretend like the smile on her lips doesn’t make me feel fuzzy.