𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒

25.

Sage

"Hey." My brother greets me as he walks into my room sitting down on the edge of my bed. It's been a few days since we've come back from Italy. My brother has had clear separation anxiety, so since I've been back he's been hanging out with me all the time.

I pretend to get annoyed but I secretly love it. I did miss him a lot when I was away. Especially when Wes went on his job. Reminded me of when Ty would go on his jobs when I was young and how worried I'd be in the house on my own, waiting up for him to come back.

"Hi." I turn back and shoot him a half smile as I face the mirror again, combing through my hair.

"Work today?" He asks.

"Yeah?" I peer at him through the mirror. He looks uneasy. I can see him fiddling with one of the pillows on my bed. I know my brother. There's clearly something else he wants to say, he's just stalling.

"Cool!" He forces a smile.

"Ray taking you?"

"Yes? As always?" I flash him a confused look that he doesn't see because his eyes are fixated on the pillow he's playing with.

"Good. Good." He nods a few times.

I put my comb down and turn to face him.

"What's up?" I ask crossing my arms over my chest.

"Nothing." He shrugs, avoiding my eyes.

"Ty, I know when you're lying."

"I'm not lying." He scoffs. Scratching the side of his head. Another tell that he's lying. Coupled with the lack of eye contact.

"I'll throw this at your head." I threaten, holding up the comb.

"Fucking hell, so violent. Who the hell raised you?" He looks at me wide eyed.

"You, you idiot." I laugh.

He rolls his eyes.

"Seriously, what is it?" My voice is softer now because I'm a little scared at the way he's stalling and after the events of Italy, I'm a little paranoid.

He lets out a deep sigh, sitting up straight.

"Your birthdays coming up." That sentence alone makes my heart drop. I don't like my birthday. Hate it. It's only a reminder of my parents dying seeing as they did so a few days after my birthday. The anniversary of their death is literally two days after.

Safe to say I hate the month of November and practically feel like crying as soon as it hits the 1st.

"Okay." I shrug. I don't celebrate it. Ty tries. Gets me a cake. I humour him by blowing the candles out and forcing a smile on my face even though I hate it. I know he means well though. He just wants to celebrate me. Like family should on birthdays.

"You're going to be twenty four." He over exaggerates his excitement as he looks at me.

"Yep." I put my comb down and pick up my brush, slicking my hair back.