The Summer Deal (Wildstone #5)(88)

“Not.”

“One good thing about today, then.” Kinsey stood, grabbing Brynn’s hand while she was at it, tugging her to her feet as well. “Let’s get out of here.”

They walked back to the car in silence. Brynn didn’t say anything about what she’d learned about their dad. She figured she didn’t have to; Kinsey clearly had known.

And Kinsey didn’t say anything further about Brynn going off half-cocked, though she did continue to mutter about her feet and blisters, and possibly something about ungrateful sisters and no effing parking spots.

Brynn was pretty sure they still had a big fight coming, but it’d have to wait until she was done shaking.

Something she figured Kinsey also knew.

Brynn desperately wanted to hold on to her anger, but she was having trouble with that. Because clearly, neither Kinsey nor Eli had hidden this from her just because. They’d done it to protect her. Because sometimes you did bad things for a good reason, for the people you love . . .

Halfway back to the car, Kinsey stopped, swore, and slipped her heels off.

“Whoa,” Brynn said. “Your bare feet are touching the street.”

“No, they’re not. I’m wearing invisible shoes.”

“But—”

Kinsey’s head spun like in a horror flick as she leveled a look at Brynn. “Invisible shoes, Brynn.”

They got to the car and once again both of them went to the driver’s side.

“You smell like vodka,” Kinsey said.

“One sip.”

“And I had zero sips. It’s also almost dark. You can’t see in the dark.”

“Again, neither can you!”

“Look, you might’ve gotten the good moms, the good kidneys, and that guileless smile that makes people love you, but I got the better eyes. Slightly, but still.”

“Yeah, well, you’re pale and look like shit.”

“Aw, sweet of you to say.” Kinsey shook her head. “Just get in the damn car.”

When Brynn did, Kinsey tossed something into her lap.

Brynn looked down in shock. “Your journal from summer camp? You kept it?”

“Read it,” Kinsey said. “Or at least skim for the good parts.”

“Which are?”

“About you.”

Brynn stared at her, then opened the journal. She read about Kinsey’s increasing health problems, which had led to her not going back to camp, and then to the fated phone call to Brynn.

Who’d hung up on her.

She read about the surgery, about the kid who died giving Kinsey his kidney, about her rough relationship with her father.

Brynn’s father.

She closed the journal and her eyes. Twenty minutes of silence had gone by, and though Kinsey had started the car for the air-conditioning, she hadn’t left their parking spot. “You still should have told me,” Brynn said quietly.

“Obviously.” Kinsey pulled into the street before tossing her heels out of the car.

Brynn whipped around to watch them go flying into the air. Kinsey turned the corner before she could see where they landed, and she twisted to stare at Kinsey in disbelief. “Those cost you a fortune.”

“Yeah, but they also suck. Look . . .” Kinsey kept her eyes on the road. “I know you think I’m the problem in this relationship, but—”

“Hold on,” Brynn said. “Did you just admit we have a relationship?”

Kinsey slid her a look. “We’re related. We’re in a relationship whether we like it or not.”

“You never have, though.”

“Never have what?”

“Liked it.”

Kinsey had the good grace to grimace. “So, I’ve had my doubts we could make this work. We both know that. We’re polar opposites. You’re . . .”

“A pain your ass?” Brynn asked mildly.

“Nice. Sweet. Kind.”

Brynn blinked. “I can’t tell if you’re complimenting or dissing me.”

Kinsey sighed. “Complimenting. See? I can’t even do that right. My point is that I’m not nice, sweet, or kind.”

“You are,” Brynn said, feeling the need to defend her sister, even if it was to . . . her sister.

Kinsey raised a brow. “Look at you, lying right to my face. I feel very proud. If Eli were here, he wouldn’t believe it.”

Eli. Brynn slumped in her seat as her chest seized up.

“Look,” Kinsey said. “I know who I am and who I’m not. I’m loyal and protective of those I love, however that looks to the outside, which I don’t care about. What I do care about is being there for you.”

Still mired in pain, Brynn gave a soft snort. “Why did you come after me?”

“Because that’s what sisters do.” Kinsey paused. “I’m going to say it again, because I know it bears repeating. I’m sorry. From the bottom of my black heart. I was wrong not to tell you, to think I knew what would be best for you. It was so wrong and rude and . . . possibly unforgiveable. And if I could go back and change it, I would. I promise you.”

Brynn just stared at her. “I’m going to need a favor.”

Kinsey glanced over at her, wary.

“Stop trying to protect me. We can’t have the relationship I want to have if that’s how it’s going to be.”