I Try

Chapter 15 - Bryan Daniel Anderson

Lauren’s Point of View

The instant she opens the door I throw my arms around my sister. I forget that I can feel her baby bump through her nightgown, or that there’s a guy standing behind her in her apartment, or that I feel like a zombie from my long plane ride. My hair is tousled and my plane outfit is rumpled, and my neck is sore and stiff. 

“W-what are you doing here?” she asks me, pulling out of my embrace to look at me. 

I smile. “Maybe I should be asking you that. May I come in?”

They both look dazed as she steps to the side and allows me to walk in. My eyes scan the space. It’s beautiful. Beige curtains cover the large balcony doors and the kitchen to the right has a sleek marble countertop complete with appliances. I see two doors to the left that indicate a bedroom and a bathroom. 

I hope this guy isn’t living here. 

I turn around and stick my hand out. “I’m Lauren, Beth’s older sister. And you are?”

“Bryan.” He says with a deep British accent, surprising me. “Bryan Anderson.”

Beth scuffs her feet on the floor. “Can I get you something to drink?” Bryan asks me. My eyebrow shoots up as I come to realize how comfortable he is in my sister’s home but I nod anyway. “Just water, thanks.”

I watch him as he steps towards the kitchen with confidence to get the water, seeming to know his way around without thinking too hard about it. I still get lost in Nash's kitchen and I've been living there for a while now.  How long has this guy been around?

I notice Beth's eyes on me and I turn to her, "What?" I ask, before taking note of the way her hands were clasped protectively around her stomach. 

"I'm not judging you, Beth." I told her, "I just..."

Want to know what happened and who did it so I can beat the living daylights out of whoever it is and by the way who is this Bryan Anderson character to you?

I finish in my head, unsure of how to ask my questions without sounding so harsh and demanding, like the older sister claim that I held over her head for years. That seemed to work okay with Barbies, but somehow I don’t think it will translate. 

"You want to know what happened?" Beth finished for me, quietly. 

Bryan Anderson stepped into the room and sized me up. "Do you want all the juicy details or do you just want to know that I'm the father?" 

I gasp at his cocky attitude, as does Beth. I swallow and brace myself, turning towards him. 

"I want to know why you did this to my sister, which is something I suggest you do before I find out where the knives are kept in this place." I threaten, boldly, yet I was scared as to what this guy might be able to do to me. He didn’t have much height on me at all but it was clear he spent time weightlifting or training, because his muscles were clear through his white shirt.