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Prologue

Eitan

My favorite hours have always been twilight. That space just after sunset, when you know that night is coming.

I guess it’s because it always signals that your next secret will be safe and that anything you dare to whisper at that moment will be quickly whisked away until next time.

That’s when I took Brodie.

My so-called sister never liked being around me for some reason. Never a day has gone by that I can think of where she didn’t have a snide look to give me or a harsh criticism of some kind.

None of that ever bothered me as much as she hoped it probably did. Her hate turned into my obsession, and all I’ve ever wanted was for her to notice me.

So when the chance presented itself, I made her biggest wish come true.

She wanted to run away from home.

To get away from my mother’s strict rules and my father’s stark absence.

Raising the mug of coffee to my lips, I take a sip of the hot brew, then sigh happily as it warms me from the inside. Just looking at Brodie does the same thing , I think contently as I lean against the doorframe.

I’ve loved her for as long as I can remember.

I’ve forgiven every sneer she’s ever tossed at me, every unkind word, and every holler to “leave me alone” because I knew that none of them were true.

Even though I’ve known her my entire life, I think the first time I actually noticed her was when we were in high school.

My body was going through changes, as was hers, and while I understood mine for the most part, I couldn’t help but stare in awe at Brodie’s.

That’s when I started to feel my entire life begin to revolve around her. That’s also around the same time that the jeers and sneers started.

I roll my shoulders before I rest against the doorframe again and continue to watch the sky darken.

But I refuse to live in the past any longer.

There are nothing but stained memories of her hatred there.

In the present where we are now, I’ll show her that I’m nothing more than a man in love .

That I deserve a chance.

And if she won’t give it to me, I’ll take it. I’ve already wasted far too much time trying to earn it.