The Falling (Brightest Stars, #1)(56)

Mendoza’s voice in my head was drowned out by the sound of my brother’s snores as I passed his room. I was glad he was asleep. I didn’t want to talk to him. Or anyone else, for that matter. Just a quick pee and I’d—

“Oh, crap! Oh . . . I’m so sorry. I had no idea anyone was in here.” I backed out into the hallway, trying to avert my eyes. Not knowing if I should leave or if I should wait until she came out, I was trying to figure out what the etiquette was in a situation like this.

The bathroom door opened and Katie appeared. “You sure know how to make an entrance, don’t you?” She had a toothbrush in her hand and her hair was brushed neatly to rest just above her shoulders.

“Hey, um, hi.” As if this wasn’t awkward as hell. “Hey, I’m sorry.”

“This is getting to be a habit with us. Me surprising you. You apologizing to me.” She laughed.

I guess it was kind of funny.

“Look, it’s okay,” she said. “Really. No harm done. I was caught off guard last night. By what you said, I mean.”

“Yeah, about that . . .”

“No, it’s okay. Really. Well, the stuff about me still being in high school wasn’t cool at all, but that other stuff, about your brother, you didn’t tell me anything I didn’t already know.”

“Wait. You mean—”

“I’m not an idiot, Karina. I’ve heard a lot about your brother. But like you, I don’t listen to everything I hear.” The look on her face was a knowing one. Her blue eyes homed in on me. She certainly didn’t seem like a high school girl now.

“And that means?” I was hazy from the hangover and the embarrassment of walking in on her like that, but what the fuck? Her candor shocked me. Had I underestimated her? “Are you referring to my brother, or Kael?”

“Maybe another time, okay? It was a late night.” She paused to make an exaggerated stretch, causing the oversized T-shirt she was wearing to ride up high enough to show me that Nurse Katie was overdue for a bikini wax. “I’m tired and I really want to get back to bed. Besides,” she added, “it’s chilly in here.”

And with that, she turned on her heels and went back to join my brother.





CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE




Elodie wasn’t there when I got home. I couldn’t remember if she had to work or not—I barely remembered that I had to work—and I didn’t pay attention to whether or not her car was in the driveway.

I took a quick shower, but I still felt like death when I got out. Brien used to keep a hangover kit in his apartment. Extra Strength Tylenol for a headache. Benadryl for puffiness. Pedialyte to replace essential minerals. And Alka-Seltzer to soothe the stomach. He was like a depraved Boy Scout, always prepared. What I wouldn’t give for a couple of Tylenol now. Forget the ex-boyfriend, take the meds. That sounded like a good plan. I searched the entire house but came up empty-handed. I even fumbled through the drawer with the packets of soy sauce and chopsticks, just in case I’d find one of those little individual packets of Tylenol or Advil in there. I wouldn’t even have cared if it was expired. Even though the drawer was full, there were no pills of any kind, but I did find an old fortune cookie, which I cracked open.

You don’t need strength to let go.

All you need is understanding.

Actually, fortune cookie company, I really needed some aspirin.

I made a cup of coffee and sat at my kitchen table, staring into space. My mom, my dad, Austin, Kael—every stressor in my life seemed to be weighing on me, hard. Tapping me on the shoulder, pulling the muscles in my back. I wanted to bang my head against the wall, to cry or scream and shout, but I had to leave for work. As everyone kept reminding me, I was the responsible one. Just do the next thing, I told myself. Put one foot in front of the other and do what needs doing. That’s how you’ll get through the day.

With that little pep talk in mind, I made my way out of the house and through the alley to the salon. The doors were unlocked when I got there, the OPEN sign bright in the window. Mali was behind the desk, checking in a middle-aged man and woman for a couple’s massage. I was glad I came in as they were being escorted to the room so that I didn’t have to take them. The woman looked really excited about it. He looked annoyed, as if his wife had dragged him there to work on their relationship or something. You could always tell. That’s why couple’s massages were my least favorite thing. I’d rather rub a client’s thick, callused heels, and I really hated doing that.

“Good morning, sweetie,” Mali said when she returned. “Or maybe not?” she asked, her eyes searching my face. She could always see right through me.

“Hangover,” I offered. I thought it was best to admit at least half of my problem.

She took in my wet hair, puffy face, and bleary eyes. “Hmm,” was all she managed.

It would be a long day if Mali, of all people, started getting on my nerves.

“Is Elodie here?” I asked. I couldn’t see the calendar from where we were standing.

“Yes, and on time,” Mali told me, nodding in approval, and maybe making a little dig at me.

“Elodie’s not late that often.”

“Your client is here,” Mali said abruptly, looking toward the door.

“I don’t have any clients scheduled—”