Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 90795 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90795 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
“How long would it take? To get approved to bring them home?”
“Honestly? I can’t say. It’s usually a very long process, but again, due to lack of resources here, it might be something we can speed up if it’s what’s best for the kids.” I nod, still trying to wrap my head around what’s happening as she continues. “Nash is…very angry at the world. And fiercely protective of Sadie.”
“He’s probably spent his life taking care of her,” I say, emotionless. I can’t let that shit out. Hell, I don’t even want to feel anything right now. If I’d had a younger sibling back then, that’s what I would have done.
I’m so fucking angry at the woman beside me, even though I know none of it is her fault. Why did they allow my mom to keep Nash and Sadie? Why was she allowed to keep me?
Rebecca doesn’t respond, just leading me to the door of the room I assume the kids are in. Apparently, they were brought here from the temporary foster home to meet me.
“Are you ready?” Rebecca asks.
I give a nod, unable to make words break free, before she opens the door…and there they are, sitting on a couch, close together. Nash looks long and lean. Are fifteen-year-olds usually that long? He seems like he’ll be tall when he stands up. He has dark hair like me, but his is long and flopping like he hasn’t had a haircut in a while. He’s pale, even lighter than me, which surprises me for someone his age, like he doesn’t get out in the sun.
Sadie is little—unlike him, she seems small for her age. She’s also got black hair, hers thick and tied back, some curls falling out. She’s got light-brown skin and dark, wide eyes. The second she sees me, she reaches for his hand, and he takes it, comforting her.
Rebecca closes the door behind us. “Nash, Sadie, this is your older brother James. He’s very excited to meet you both.”
“If he’s so excited, where the fuck has he been all our lives? He never gave a shit about us before, and he doesn’t give a shit about us now. He’s only here because he’s stuck with us…or for the money he’ll get for taking us in.” Nash scowls at me, and I can’t say I don’t understand his anger.
“I didn’t know Sandra had other children,” I say, unwilling to call her mom.
“Bullshit,” he spits out.
“Nash…” Sadie says.
“It’s fine, Sades. We’ll be fine. I’ll take care of you.” His gaze cuts my direction again. “We don’t need him.” Nash gives his attention to Rebecca next. “I told you, I can get a job and take care of her. I’ve always taken care of her.”
My stomach twists. I swallow down the bile threatening to come up.
“And you’ve done a very good job of taking care of your sister,” Rebecca says. “You’re lucky to have each other, but as I explained before, you’re a minor. We can’t give you custody of her, and you deserve someone to take care of you too.”
“Fuck that,” Nash replies. “I don’t need anyone to take care of me. I never have, and I never will.”
I straighten my spine, try even harder to shut off my emotions. I hadn’t known what I was going to do when I left DC. Hell, I hadn’t even known what I was going to do when I walked into this room, but seeing them, I know what the choice must be, regardless of how Nash feels about it. “If everything is approved, you won’t have any choice but to come and live with me.”
Nash’s eyes narrow, and Sadie asks, “Where do you live?”
“In Virginia. Outside Washington, DC.” I figure that’s the easiest way to describe the area because most people know DC more than Peyton.
“We’re not going anywhere with you,” Nash argues. “Now that she’s gone and we’re free of her, you want to help? Where the hell have you been?”
I straighten my shirt, frustrated at the crease forming in it. “As I already said, I didn’t know she’d had other children, but I know now.” I turn to Rebecca. “What do I need to do?”
“We’re not going,” Nash says again.
“So you’re going to stay in the system?” I argue. “Be separated from your sister? These are the only two choices here—them or me.” As soon as Sadie begins crying, I realize I should have said that differently…softer? I don’t know. This is all new. I’ve hardly had twenty-four hours to work through what’s happening.
“I don’t want to be separated from Nash. Do I have to?” she asks, then turns to her brother. My brother too, I guess. “We have to go with him. I don’t want them to take me away from you!”
I watch as he pulls her into a hug, as he strokes her back. He might hate me, and hell, maybe even the rest of the world, but it’s clear how much he loves his sister—our sister. This is going to take a lot of getting used to. I respect him for that, for always taking care of her, for being the brother I haven’t been to them.