Hellion, a New Adult Romance Novel(58)

 

“He never lets anyone see his stuff. Just one of them, the one he gave Rebel. But I guess he showed you.”

 

“He’s very sensitive about it, which I can understand.” I shrug. “I guess he figured I didn’t matter so much. It’s different showing a stranger than it is showing a family member. He obviously puts a lot of himself into it emotionally and you guys aren’t the most open family in the world.”

 

Mick gives a wry smile to the ceiling. “Understatement.”

 

“Of the year,” I say. “I think he had this gallery lady harassing him for a while, and maybe with me jumping on the bandwagon he finally decided to try it. I don’t know. He didn’t say anything to me about it, he just showed up at my door and then took me over there. The cards at the door said it was opening night. I’m pretty sure he planned to bring me back to Rebel Wheels or to you when he was done showing me.”

 

“Why you, though?” Mick asks, looking at me again. “Why did he take you?”

 

“Maybe because I’m the one who told him to do it and I’m not family?”

 

Mick laughs, but it’s not a pretty one. “Yeah, right. Or maybe it’s because he wants you.”

 

Anger heats my chest. “If I could get up from this bed right now, I’d punch you right in the stitches.”

 

“Guess I’m glad you can’t get up.” His voice is flat.

 

“Seriously, Mick. He doesn’t feel that way about me.”

 

“Bullshit.” He glares at me. “Anyone would. And you’re completely naive if you don’t get that about him or yourself.”

 

I throw my sheets back. “That’s it. Float like a butterfly bitches and sting like a bee, cuz I’m coming over.” I swing my legs out of the bed as Mick’s eyebrows move up.

 

“Should I ring for the nurse?” he asks, not even flinching at my threats.

 

I’m sitting up, contemplating the ringing going on in my ears when the main door to the room glides open slowly. A small head appears with a tuft of messy dark brown hair on top of it in the crack.

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

 

 

 

 

 

“SISTER? ARE YOU IN HERE?” the little head in the cracked-open door says.

 

I narrow my eyes at Mick and whisper, “You got lucky.” He’s smiling when I call out to my brother. “In here, Jersey. Just open the door.”

 

The door opens a little farther and his head comes in more. “Sister?” His face swivels around, taking in all the details. “This is a hospital room,” he says, talking to Mick.

 

“Yep.”

 

“You’re not Sister. You’re Mickey Mouse.”

 

“Yes, I am. How’ve you been, J-Man?” Mick holds up a hand for a high-five.

 

Jersey comes the rest of the way in, completely ignoring me. “I’m good. I got to leave Saturday school early. This place smells funny. I saw a doctor and a nurse and a dead body.” He stops at the side of Mick’s bed and gives him a high five that makes Mick wince with pain.

 

My mother comes in, her arms loaded down with flowers. She peeks through the colors and greenery and smiles tremulously. “Hi, baby. How are you feeling?”

 

I don’t know what it is about seeing my mom when I’m sick, but it always makes me suddenly lose ten years off my life and maturity level. Tears rush to my eyes and nothing I can do short of smothering myself with the pillow will stop them from falling. “Hi, Mommy. I’m fine … Bwaaah haaaa haaaa!” I crumble into a mess of blubbering and attempts at explanations.

 

“Shhhhh, shhhhh,” she says, rushing over to put the flowers on the table and take me in her arms. She sits next to me on the side of the bed and rocks me as she pats my back. “You’re fine, baby, you’re fine. See? All fine.”

 

Jersey looks over, his expression suddenly frightened. “Sister? Why are you crying?” His eyes get shiny with tears.

 

It snaps me out of my pity party like a switch flicks off a light. I sit up straight and pull out of my mom’s embrace, wiping my face. I ignore Mick completely. “Nothing’s wrong. I was just sad for two seconds and now I’m not.” I take a deep breath and then smile hard. “See? Happy face.” I point to my mouth.

 

Jersey comes over and puts one hand on each of my cheeks. He stares into my eyes and examines me closely. “Your sad face makes me have a sad face. Mommy says you’re a hero.”

 

I grab his head and pull it towards me so I can kiss him on the nose, ignoring the pain it causes my chest. “Mommy is misinformed, I think, but that’s okay.” I smooch him loud and juicy and he drops his hands from my face.