90 Miles to Freedom by K. C. Hilton Read Free Book Online Page B

sail around the world. Forget everything that had happened and be happy, out on the water, just you and me. That’s what you said.”
    Joey’s hands tightened into fists. He wanted to shake some sort of sense back into Collin. “Were you lying to me? Come on, you idiot. It’s been a year. An entire year. I’ve been waiting a year! Is that day ever going to come? Answer me, you fucking drunk!”
    The room was quiet, but to Joey it sounded as if his voice echoed forever. Adrenaline roared through his system, making his hands shake as he stared down his brother.
    Collin didn’t answer. He just stood there, looking dazed. After a moment, he took a deep breath, but still looked straight ahead, past Joey. Joey could almost hear him thinking and wanted to whoop with happiness. Maybe he’d gotten through! Maybe something would happen today.
    Collin’s eyes focused on Joey again. When he spoke it was calm. “When it’s time, I’ll tell you. Then we’ll leave, no looking back. We’ll just go, leave everything behind. I’ll tell you when it’s time.”
    Joey stared at him, so angry he wanted to shake his brother silly. “Sounds like a bunch of bullshit to me!” he shouted. He headed towards the front door, grabbing his wallet from the hall table as he went. He glared back over his shoulder at Collin. “I’m going to get the damn mail. Do me a favor, would you, brother?” he said mockingly. “Try to pull yourself together. And do me another one. Take a shower. You smell like a fucking brewery!”
    Joey stormed out, slamming the door behind him so hard that the picture frames rattled on the wall.
    Collin stared down the empty hallway, exhaling through loose lips. He felt worn down as thin as he could go.
    “ I think that went rather well,” Collin mumbled to himself, then turned away.
     
    *  *  *
     
    “ Damn it! What am I doing wasting my time here? He’s nothing but a self-pitying, self-centered jackass,” Joey said to himself.
    He shoved his hands into the front pockets of his shorts and stared at the ground, kicking every stone he saw as he walked down the long driveway toward the mailbox. He didn’t expect there to be any mail. He just needed to get a bit of fresh air. The mail was an excuse to walk out and gain a little self-control before he ended up strangling his miserable waste of a brother.
    Dad would’ve kept the driveway in better shape than this. Joey leaned down and grabbed a rock that fit neatly into the palm of his hand, and chucked it ahead of him. He imagined his dad sweeping up, checking to make sure nothing needed fixing.
    Collin wasn’t the only one grieving. Joey thought of his parents every day. He just wasn’t able to share any of that with Collin. He had to be the strong one. If Dad were here, Collin wouldn’t have turned into a senseless drunk. If Mom were here, she would have made sure he’d showered, at least.
    “ Joey! Hey! Joey!”
    Joey stopped abruptly and looked up the road, narrowing his gaze at the classic 1963 blue Chevrolet Low-rider which was slowing down and finally coming to a stop at the end of Joey’s driveway. Now that was a nice ride.
    “ Hey guys,” Joey said, walking casually towards the car. It was a bit of a stretch to paste on a smile after his recent run-in with Collin, but he managed. Talking with his friends always helped take his mind off the less pleasant aspects of his life, including his brother’s idiocy and sadly lacking sense of responsibility. Joey grinned at the guys, feeling a welcome surge of energy. No way he was going to allow Collin to ruin his day.
     
     

Chapter 12
     
    Joey was right, as usual. Collin sighed, thinking about it. He hated the fact that his little brother was so much stronger than he was. He lifted his forearm to his nose and sniffed. Joey was right about that, too. He did smell like a brewery. Taking a hot shower sounded like a good idea. He stretched, reaching towards the ceiling with a loud groan, then scratched