Chasing Forevermore by J.D. Rivera Read Free Book Online

and I finished cleaning the dishes. When Hayes stayed on the couch, I knew something was off—he usually helped clean up the kitchen on Saturday mornings. I shrugged off my uneasiness and busied myself with cleaning.
    By the time I was finished, the kitchen was sparkling and Hayes still hadn’t moved. I washed my hands, then strode into the living room where his eyes were glued to a movie. He never looked in my direction, but he did pat the spot next to him when I walked toward the recliner.
    I smiled. “You want me to lay with you?”
    He nodded and patted the spot again. I glanced at Harley, who was playing on the floor with her toys, and flopped down next to him.
    “I’m sorry,” he said, wrapping his arms around me.
    “It’s okay, but you seem off. You have since you got home yesterday.”
    “Nothing. I’m fine.” He placed a kiss to my hair and I didn’t press. I knew Hayes well enough to know he’d eventually tell me. “What do you want to do today?”
    “I don’t care.” I shrugged. “Sitting home and doing nothing sounds good to me.”
    “Works for me.” Hayes yawned, which made me yawn as well. “I could use a nap.”
    I glanced at the clock. “Harley should take one in like an hour. You could always nap with her.”
    “I just might,” he said as the doorbell rang. “Who the hell could that be?”
    “No idea. I’ll get it.” I started to get up, but Hayes stopped me.
    “I’ll get it. I’m a lot ruder than you. I’ll be able to run them off faster.” I chuckled, but he had a point. I crawled to the floor where Harley was playing and sat down as Hayes got up and went to the door.
    I could hear him open the door and some murmurs from whoever was on the other side. “Who the hell did you say you are?” Hayes asked, his voice raised.
    I didn’t hear the other person’s answer and went back to playing with Harley. A handful of seconds passed and Hayes walked into the living room, his face a mask of concern. I was confused until I saw the man standing behind him.
    I stood up and wrapped my arms around my waist as I studied the man. I hadn’t seen him in eight years, but he still looked the same, only older. Trey’s blond hair was buzzed and his muscles were huge. He had an unsure smile on his face. “Hey, sis.”
    My mouth fell open and I blinked a few times, making sure I wasn’t hallucinating. “Trey?”
    “It’s me.” He cleared his throat and Hayes came to stand next to me, wrapping his arms around me for comfort. “I was hoping we could talk.”
    I considered it for a moment. Trey had never hurt me, unless you count leaving me in a home with an abusive father, but I didn’t know him anymore. He could’ve been a killer for all I knew. Taking in his eyes, so like mine, pleading with me to talk to him, I agreed. “Sure.” At the end of the day, he was still my brother.
    Hayes leaned in and whispered in my ear, “You don’t have to.”
    “I know.” I squeezed his hand as a silent thank you.
    “Do you want me to stay in here or take Harley into her room?”
    I swallowed, thinking it over. “Try to get her to nap early then come back out here.”
    “Okay.” He kissed my cheek then picked Harley up and left the room.
    It was silent for a moment. “You have a daughter?” Trey asked.
    “Yes,” I answered, gesturing to the couch. “Have a seat.”
    He sat down on the couch and I took the chair. “So…”
    “Yeah.” He sighed. “This is almost surreal.” His face looked unsteady, pained. “I have something to tell you, but first, I’d just like to talk to you and…apologize.”
    “For what?” I’m sure my voice radiated my nerves, but I seriously didn’t know how to feel.
    Trey cleared his throat and looked at me with sad eyes. “For leaving you with them. I honestly didn’t think he’d hit you like he did me. I guess my eighteen-year-old self thought since you were a girl, he wouldn’t do it.”
    I shrugged. “What’s done is done. We can’t change