Destiny

26.

Chapter 26

I walked down the steps and my eyebrows drew together. Aryan was sitting on the couch, a book in his lap. His hair was pulled back.

Brayden was nowhere in sight.

"Where's Brayden?"

"He left."

"What do you mean?" I didn't have a good feeling. Brayden wouldn't just leave.

"He went back to the hospital."

"What? When?"

"A couple hours ago."

"You knew? This whole time?"

He sat up and turned to face me. "He didn't want me to tell you right away."

"So you listened? You've never listened to anything he's ever said until now."

"He had good reason."

I crossed my arms over my chest.

"Julia, I wanted to tell you. He talked me out of it."

"I don't believe you." Brayden wouldn't have just left. He would have told me. He would have tried taking me with him.

The doorbell rang and I looked at Aryan for another second before I walked away. I didn't want to say something I'd regret but I was so mad. I had to get away before I did something stupid without thinking.

I opened the door and froze. Kellan was standing on the porch. His hands were in his pockets until he saw me. Then his arms fell. And he, too, froze up.

We stayed like that for a few long seconds before I spoke up. "What are you doing here?"

"I need to see your mother."

"Why?"

"That's none of your business."

"Then I'm afraid you're not getting in." I started to close the door but he stuck his foot in the way. "I will break your foot."

"Julia-"

"I thought Lucy told you not to come here." Aryan said, walking up behind me.

"I just need five minutes. Please."

"She's not here."

"Come on, Aryan."

He moved closer to me to get in Kellan's face which resulted in him leaning against my back. I elbowed him behind the door but I was sure Kellan noticed as he glanced down at me before looking back at Aryan.

"Answer's no."

"You have four minutes. Start talking."

The three of us looked and saw Lucy in the yard, her wings extended. She must have either gone out the back or jumped from a window. My guess was the window.

Kellan walked down toward her and Aryan shut the door.

"What the hell?" I yelled, glaring at him.

He nodded his head and the window and walked over to it, putting his hands on the sill.

"So you're eavesdropping?"

"I'm protecting your mother."

I scoffed but joined him at the window.

Lucy stayed a good distance from Kellan and her arms were crossed over her chest but she was at least listening to him. She was always reasonable when she needed to be. Reasonable and respectful. I could only hope to be half the woman she is.

"Why do you think he's here?"

"Probably to borrow money off her."

"He doesn't have money of his own?"

"He probably blew through it. He's not the most responsible person."

"And you are?"

"I never said I wasn't." He said, looking over at me.

I rolled my eyes.

"I'm sorry you're mad at me over Brayden. But he asked me to help him and I couldn't say no."

"You hate Brayden."

"I never hated him."

"Then why did you always pick on him? Why did you always call him everything but his name? You were never nice to him."

He straightened up and crossed his arms over his chest. "I was jealous of him."

"You've told me that before. Why?"

He pulled a folded up piece of paper from his back pocket and handed it to me. "He wanted you to have this."

I unfolded the letter and raised my eyes. It was a huge letter from Brayden. Which was totally out of character for him.

Julia, I'm sorry I didn't tell you I was leaving before. I didn't tell anyone. Except Aryan. And he found out as I was leaving so I couldn't keep it from him then. He wanted me to stay, to be there for you. I know it's stupid of me to leave but you don't need me like you think you do. You'll probably disagree but it's true. I can see it. You're so strong and brave and amazing. I'm so lucky to call you my best friend. My... well... I don't know if we could ever be that. We're so different, you and me. You're strong and beautiful and I'm messed up and crazy. You deserve better than me. You deserve him. And he deserves you, too. He cares for you in a way I could never. And I'm not mad. I want you to be protected and safe. I'm far from that. The voices tell me that and I know they're right. If the hospital lets me have phone calls, I'll answer if you wish to talk to me. I understand if you're so mad at me that you never talk to me again. I deserve that. You'll always be the best thing that's ever happened to me. I hope you never forget that. I love you more than I could ever say or write. Take care. Brayden.

I wiped away a few tears and glanced at Aryan. He was back at the window, watching Lucy and Kellan. But I knew he was watching me too.

Brayden knew he would be.

"Did you read this?"

"No."

I handed it over to him.

He held my gaze for a few seconds before he took the paper and started reading.

I walked over to the kitchen table and sat down.

"Well, there's one thing we have in common." He said when he was done. He handed the letter back to me.

"You're such a-"

"Not about me. About you. You are strong and brave and beautiful."

The door opened and Lucy walked in. She grabbed a water bottle from the fridge, stepping between Aryan and I. "We need to talk."