The Wright One

MIA

I feel like my blood is buzzing in my veins. William kissed me. Not once but lots of times. He kissed me again before he left. It was like he couldn’t stop. I was instantly attracted to him as soon as I saw him. The only thing that ever stopped me from acting on my impulses was the fact that he thought I was a thief. Then he was helping me. I was a damsel in distress. I guess I still am. But that doesn’t matter now. I know he feels the same way and I know that he wants me as much as I want him and I am not going to pretend that it isn’t happening. I have done that too much in my life.

I am busy making breakfast for Joseph and I when he lumbers out of his room. Scratching the back of his head and yawning. When he sees me in the kitchen he gets the biggest smile I have ever seen on his face. “So, how did it go?”

“I slept fine, thanks for asking.” I glare. He is my brother, not my keeper.

“Where is he anyway?”

“He said he got a good lead and the case might be closed really soon. He didn’t tell me what exactly but that he needed to go to town and work on it.”

Joseph leans on the small counter that works as a divider between the sitting room and the kitchen area. “So, are you going to run this time too?”

Freezing everything that I am doing, I can’t believe that Joseph has picked up on that. “I’m not running this time.”

“Really because it seems like sometimes you are all in, then the guy is just gone. I never get it but you’re my sister so I don’t judge you, but seriously don’t throw this one away.”

“Joseph, nothing about this is simple. I mean, he is supposed to arrest me for Robbery. If this case doesn’t get cleared up then I am still a wanted woman. The rest of the department thinks I’m guilty. And what if this all does get cleared up. Then we started dating. How is that going to make William look? Like he just got his girlfriend off a robbery charge. I can’t do that to him. I’m not running from my feelings, but I can’t drag him down either.”

He screws up his face in a seriously concentrated face. “Isn’t that kind of up to him though? If he really wants to be with you, career be damned, then isn’t that his choice. He likes you I can tell. I see the way that he watches you, it’s more than just concern for your safety. He likes you. You are a pain in my ass, but I am sure there are guys out there that would love to have a woman like you. I am sure that William is one of them. I’m just saying don’t walk away without giving him a choice.”

I studied my brother for the first time in a long time. “How do you know I am the one to walk away?”

“Because there are too many guys that find you attractive for there not to be at least one that would put up with having to help raise me. I’m sixteen, not five. You were always thinking of everyone else first. For once, don’t just don’t. Think about you. Think about William. Don’t make all this other crap a factor. It’s not worth it.”

The sad look in his eyes is enough to make me want to cry. “I never thought of you as a burden Joseph. Don’t you dare think that.”

“Maybe we wouldn’t be in this mess if you were already married. I saw the way that Brock would watch you. That’s why I knew when you guys said that you were dating that it was bullshit. He looks at you like his next conquest and you look at him like he is dog shit. There was no way that you two were dating. I know without even asking that I am the reason that you went along with anything that he said. Even before I heard what you told William. I sometimes feel like I am the reason for a lot of misfortunes in your life.”

“You’re not. I like having you around. It’s like a clear perspective on my life. Sure I may have turned down some guys that weren’t the best for the both of us, but that doesn’t mean that I have been held back. This time things are different though. William has a life and I don’t want to ruin it.”

He shrugs. “I think that is his choice. What did he say about all this?”This content belongs to Nô/velDra/ma.Org .

I fidget a little. “He said that after this case he wants to take me on a date.”

Joseph smiles. “Sounds like you have your answer.”

I roll my eyes. “Everything is oh so easy in your world.”

“Well, yes it is. Either you do or you don’t. Don’t act like you don’t. I know better. Mia, your my sister and I love you, but if you tell William to hit the road because of some bullshit that you made up, then I am seriously going to consider going to a group home, because I will not sit back and watch you put your life on hold.”

“You will do no such thing.” I protest a little pissed off that my brother would put himself through that just to make a point. Because I know him enough and he would. He would tell social services that he feels like a burden and he wants to live somewhere else. He’s my brother and I have to take care of him. I love him and family comes first.

“Watch me.” He winks at me. “It’s for your own good.”

Growling in frustration I return my attention to breakfast. I just have to hope that none of this comes back on William.