“Brooklyn, this is Sin and Thane. Guys, this is my older sister.” Her program read out the introduction.
Brooke led them in, her eyes downcast, haunted.
Sophie looked around her sister’s place and tried to imagine it how the guys would be seeing it. The apartment was small, but it was bright. The walls were painted a royal blue and the couch was an interesting shade of pink. Her pillows had all kinds of textures and designs on them and it made things a little more exciting.
They were in the living room and the kitchen area was off to the back. She knew that there was a bedroom off to the left and a bathroom beside it. Overall, it was a nice place, but Sophie would rather a house of her own, because children needed space.
“-cannot believe the rumors!” Her sister continued, bringing Soph’s attention back to her sister. “These guys aren’t your lovers. That has to be a lie! They are just way too hot. And no offence, Sophie, but they are out of your league! I’m sure you guys know how to handle a woman, but Sophie here is a quiet little thing. She is perfectly boring! Oh no, don’t take that badly, babe! It’s a good thing! Everyone likes you! You never disappoint dear old mommy and daddy. You were always their favorite! But you date good boys like accountants and stuff. Guys who settle down and start a family. These hotties would run screaming if you mentioned babysitting. Am I right?” Brooke asked, trailing a long nail across her bottom lip.
Soph knew that her older sister would probably cry with laughter if she knew that Sophie was already pregnant. Apparently that didn’t make it to the gossip mill.
“No.” Thane answered, stepping farther into the room and up beside Soph. She smiled. It was so nice to know that he was there for her. He didn’t even have to touch her. His presence was enough to comfort her.
She didn’t really want to talk about the guys right now, and Brooklyn’s unusual behaviour gave her the excuse to change the subject. “Are you alright? You look stressed.” In truth, she looked strung out.
Sophie didn’t think that her sister did drugs but she had seen enough movies and shows. This was what drug addicts looked like when they were between fixes. Did Brooklyn have a drug problem?
“No no…yeah. I’m good. I know, I look a little weird but I’m just stressed. You heard that mom and dad aren’t coming back here, eh? Well, I thought that I might as well move too. This towns not big enough for me! I want to go to Toronto or something like that. Maybe New York. That’d be kinda cool. I just don’t know yet. Maybe I’ll do somethin’ crazy and go somewhere cool.” Brooke’s usual rambling speech took on a desperate edge. Something was obviously wrong.
“Why don’t you come stay with me? I mean us? We are moving soon anyways. Mom and Dad are selling the house. It’d be nice to have you along. I don’t get to see you much as it is.” It was a good idea, she hoped. Brooke might like to be independent but Soph always knew that she needed extra attention.
She always craved it, and so it might be best to keep an eye on her. And if she was doing drugs, maybe Sophie could do something to stop it.
“Us? As in more than one? And why would I move in with you?” Brooke asked, her voice taking on a sharpness.
Gosh, she really didn’t want to fight with Brooke now. It had taken a few hours to convince the guys to let her go there. They wanted to stay at home, but after Thane came back from getting food they all had a nice breakfast and talked about it. It was probably best that they came anyways. She’d have to tell Brooke eventually.
“Could I have some alone time with my sister?” Sophie asked the boys, and Sin looked reluctant, but nodded.
“Okay, but don’t be too long. We have things to do. Places to go. We are still leaving town today.” Sin pressed a kiss to her neck, and left. Thane followed.
Alone with her sister, Sophie took a deep breath. She loved the girl. She knew that she needed to be straight with her, but Brooklyn just rolled her eyes and went into the bathroom.
Soph heard the door shut, it was too hard, angry, and Soph had no idea why Brooke would be annoyed.
Pacing, Sophie waited. It took too long.
Brooke was wasting time, time that Soph didn’t have. Was she planning on waiting until Sophie left? Just ignore her until they went away?
They were planning on leaving tonight, to go somewhere safe. Sophie didn’t know where, but she trusted the men.
Annoyance boiled up inside her. Brooke was always selfish. She always needed to be dramatic. Now, Sophie had enough.
She stalked through the rumpled bedroom and knocked on the bathroom door.
It opened immediately, and red rimmed eyes glared back.
Brooke loomed over Sophie, even though she was just a few inches taller. Her hostility burned away some of Sophie’s anger.
“Why don’t you just leave? You said you were going to. I don’t need to chat, or to say goodbye. I don’t need your pity. Just leave!” Brooklyn hissed.
So Brook didn’t care? She just wanted Sophie to go away? Fine!
But even as she turned to leave, she looked past her sister to see something horrific on the counter.
A plate, with white powder and a razor.
Drugs!
“You are taking something, aren’t you? You’d throw away what little you have on that stuff?” Sophie’s tablet couldn’t echo the anger that she felt, or the dread.
She had done everything she could to help her sister. Sophie had looked out for her for 6
