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Because she was going to the only other person she considered her comfort place other than me.

Her brother.

If there was anyone to hold her and love every part of her, it was him.

And I knew my girl was coming back to me after that.

CHAPTER 15

KATY

“Katy.” Matty frowned as he opened his door. There was so much concern and love in his eyes. Eyes with a color that matched mine. It felt like I was looking into another version of myself. Only more real and honest than I could ever be.

One look at him and I couldn’t help the wobble that trembled my lips.

“Matty,” I sobbed, crashing into him.

“Oh, Katy,” he mumbled as his arms wrapped around me protectively. “It’s okay. I’m here,” he said softly, rubbing his big hand along my back.

The warmth and the safety of his hold only made me cry harder. It felt like my undoing, like all the layers were finally crumbling into nothing. And now, I was finally back home.

Like a teenager who had lost her way but still found her way home to just be her again.

A place where no one could judge her, comment on her looks, or scale her worth by her accomplishments.

A place beckoning her for a long, long time now.

“Shush, baby,” he whispered. “Everything will be fine. I’m here now.”

I didn’t know how long I stood there crying as he held me, but my cries quieted to whimpers when I finally felt my heart feeling lighter.

“Here, let me see you,” he muttered, frowning as he wiped away my tears. “You okay?”

“Not really,” I whispered. “But I think I will be.”

“Let’s get you inside.” He held my hand like I was going to disappear any second as he led me to his living room.

The sound of the Korean language blasted from the speakers of the TV where some drama was running, and a pair of socks-covered feet danced in the air.

“Sierra likes to sit upside down,” Matty explained at my confusion, his gaze softening at the mention of her. “Helps her think, she says.”

“Matty, are you back? You’ve been gone so long and I want you back to cuddle,” Sierra called out as her head poked from the side. “Katy.” She flushed upon seeing me and scrambled to her feet.

I couldn’t help the faint smile that spread across my lips despite my emotional state.

“Omg, you look terrible,” she blurted before her eyes rounded like saucers. “Wait, not like that. I don’t mean liketerrible,terrible. You look so gorgeous as always. Your skin is something I wish I could only have in my dreams. What I mean is—”

“Sierra,” Matty cut in softly, which halted her rambling.

“Sorry,” she mumbled shyly. She looked adorable, wearing a soft long hoodie and a tiny pair of boy shorts that showed off her knee-length fluffy socks that had little gaming emojis on them.

No wonder my brother was smitten with her.

“It’s okay. I know I look terrible,” I offered with a smile, which made her smile back.

“I was just on my way to game for a bit,” she said softly, noting the expression on our faces. “I’ll leave you siblings to chat.”Sierra was a professional e-gamer with some badass skills and was a lot younger than my twin and the opposite of him with her bubbly personality. But that only made them more perfect for each other.

Matty left my side and pulled her into a hug before she could go, which made her smile widen and the dimples in her cheek pop. And my brother melted right before my eyes.