The Ink That Haunts Us

Chapter Eleven

Derek was right. I wasn't prepared to meet Ollie. She wasn't at all what I had expected. She was so much more. She picked at her brother in the funniest ways and it left me with aching sides and tears streaming down my face. Half the night was spent listening to her talk about him and listening to him try to dispute what she had said.

    It was obvious she completely adored her brother, and he felt the same for her. They may not have been close, but the time they were sharing now was important. They were building a strong, lasting relationship. I was over the moon for Derek. The bond he would have with Ollie would be unbreakable.

    The scary movie had played on, long forgotten as we sat and talked the night away. As happy as I was for them, I was also jealous. Growing up in foster care I had wanted siblings. Someone I could share my troubles with and they would know exactly what I meant. Derek and Ollie have that and watching them made me homesick for something I'll never have.

    When the clock struck two o'clock in the morning, Derek insisted we call it a night. I knew it wasn't for mine or his sake. We were used to functioning on little to no sleep, but Ollie was still young. I knew he felt a sense of responsibility now that he was acting as her guardian. It was just one more endearing thing about him.

    Derek insisted that I stay the night since it was already so late, and when Ollie turned her big, bright baby blues on me, I couldn't say no. Derek tried to take the couch, but when I brought up that he was part giant, and there was no way he would be able to fit comfortably on it, he relented. Ollie tried to offer her bed, but I wasn't having that either. I was the smallest, therefore, I would be the only person to fit on the couch without being cramped.

    The couch was shit. I tossed and turned for the better part of the night and when I finally found a comfortable position my phone rang. Taking that as a sign that sleep was beyond me, I reached for my phone, answering without seeing who was calling.

    "What?" Lack of sleep made me grumpy.

    "Good morning to you too, sunshine," Freya greeted me cheerfully.

    "What's so good about it?" I grumbled, sitting up.

    "Uh-oh, did someone not get any sleep last night?" I could hear the edge of humor in her voice and I knew where her mind had gone.

    "No, I didn't. Derek's couch is crap and I couldn't get comfortable." I tried to stretch out some of the stiffness. My back cracked in protest.

    "Well, since you're awake, come meet me and June at the bakery for breakfast." Before I could answer the floor creaked as Ollie tiptoed into view.

    "Good morning," she smiled giving me a little wave before going into the kitchen.

    "Who was that?" Freya asked.

    "Ollie, Derek's little sister," I told her. "Anyway, I don't have my car. Can you swing by and pick me up?"

    "Sure. I'll be there in ten. June will be so excited, and you can fill her in on all your drama."

    "Super," I mumbled. "See you in ten."

    "See ya." She hung up, and I slid my cell into my purse. Standing, I stretched again before heading to grab my shoes.

    "Are you leaving so soon?" Ollie asked from behind me.

    "Yeah. A few girlfriends want to have breakfast."

    "Do you want me to wake Derek?"

    "No, that's okay. I'm sure I'll see him later. Let him get his beauty sleep."