Now the family was near extinction because I hadn’t been fast enough or screamed loudly enough or…whatever.
I splashed some cold water on my face, then gripped the edge of the sink and stared at my reflection, barely recognizing the man I’d become. Hardened, apathetic, devoid of warmth.
“My sweet boy. Did you know your eyes were made of fairy tales?”
I closed my eyes, seeing my mom before me. Her matching teal eyes and dirty-blond hair.
What the fuck was even teal? I wouldn’t have known the word existed if my mother hadn’t used it every time she’d put me to bed when I was little. I’d been her happy accident when she was too young, her sweet boy with the fairy-tale eyes, her biggest reason to fight and make something of herself.
I released a breath and reached for a towel to dry my face. It was Friday, my day with my brothers. We’d go to some museum, we’d eat junk food, and we’d have a good time.
A glance at my phone told me it was almost nine o’clock. Opening the door, I was met by the smell of bacon. Nine o’clock. So, nine hours. I could put a smile on my face for nine hours. Tonight I’d return to my search. Some chick I’d been talking to online said the party tonight would be packed with Sadists.
She was also convinced that the best ones there would be the Tenley twins, but I wasn’t so sure. They ran the community in which they’d made it abundantly clear they wanted to talk you half to death before you even laid eyes on a whip.
* * *
After spending most of the day in and around Georgetown, TJ, Levi, and I trailed south toward the closest Metro station, where we jumped on the Silver Line. Two trains had recently left, going in the same direction, so we ended up in a car that was practically empty. For now anyway.
While TJ threw himself down onto a row of seats and dug out his phone, probably to text friends, Levi and I sat down across the aisle.
He opened his bag from one of the museum gift shops we’d visited today and pulled out the book I’d bought him.
“Don’t forget to have fun this weekend, buddy.” I draped an arm along the back of the seats and scratched his head.
“Reading is fun.” He smirked and touched the cover reverently.
I chuckled.
“Can we go out to Tysons Corner next weekend?” TJ asked. “I need new clothes before school starts.”
I’d noticed his jeans had been a little short the other day. “Sounds like a plan,” I replied with a nod. “You need some school supplies too. First thing Friday morning. We don’t wanna be there when people get off work.”
It felt good to finally have a buffer so I could buy them clothes and whatever else they needed. Once everything from our folks had been liquidated—life insurance, home insurance, property sold in its ruined state, mortgage paid off—there was enough to pay for my brothers’ tuitions throughout high school and maybe, with a bit of luck, their first semester in college.
Our parents had busted their asses to put me through private school and a good college; the least I could do was make sure TJ and Levi received the same. Well, I had one year left if I wanted to get my master’s.
At the rate I was raking it in at the fights, I wouldn’t have to put any of that on hold for too much longer. I had few other expenses. I lived rent-free with Weasel, because he was mildly obsessed with me—and he made money off me. Though, to be fair, I would’ve cut way worse deals at the fights without him.
Either way…a year or two, and then my brothers’ college funds would be taken care of too, and I could return to get my master’s degree.
Additionally, it felt good not to burden Aunt Mel with any further expenses. She hadn’t hesitated to take us in, but I was old enough to know she’d made a lot of sacrifices. Our mother’s sister had chosen a life in academia; she’d never settled down and had kids of her own. It went without saying I had a responsibility to make it as easy as I could for her.
“TJ.” I jerked my chin as the train stopped and a herd of people stepped on.
He scurried across the aisle and sat down on the other side of Levi.
Before long, Eastern Market was the next stop, and we were itching to get away from this moving sauna. We squeezed our way to the doors and were the first off as soon as they opened.
TJ darted for the escalators, and I ushered Levi the same direction. He was already stuck in his book.
I didn’t plan on lingering at Aunt Mel’s. I’d already dealt with her usual “Hey, you should live here, you know” this morning. As always, I declined. I was just a call away for anything my brothers needed, and I was around more often when they were in school, but I was a grown man, and TJ and Levi were well-behaved boys. I was more useful working out and preparing for the next fight that would bring in money.
As we exited the Metro station, I pulled out another lollipop and stuck it in my mouth. In my attempt to quit smoking, I’d cut myself off from doing it near my brothers—and Aunt Mel, for that matter, ’cause she was merciless in her rants whenever she smelled smoke on my clothes. So I was buying lollipops in fucking bulk to keep my trap occupied.
Wasn’t like I had any cock to suck either.
Instead, I had my pockets full of blue raspberry lollipops.
“You need a haircut, buddy.” I brushed my hand over Levi’s curly hair.
He nodded. “Aunt Mel’s taking me before school starts. I want it to look like
