Defending Everly (Mountain Mercenaries, #5)(67)

They laughed while cooking together. They watched television, and Everly loved how Ball and Elise got along and teased each other. The last week had been everything she’d ever wanted in a relationship.

But something was up with Elise, and Everly didn’t have enough experience with teenagers to figure out what. Ball had told her to give her sister some time and she’d eventually talk about whatever was bugging her, but Everly wasn’t so sure.

Sighing, Everly sent one last text to her sister.

Everly: I know you aren’t a baby. I’m sorry. I’m just worried. I’ll be home as soon as I can, and we’ll talk.

Her sister didn’t text back.

Not that Everly really expected her to. She was going to text Ball next, but dispatch radioed in about a disturbance, and Everly didn’t get the chance.

As it turned out, she wasn’t able to get home by five. It was more like six thirty, and that was because, after the disturbance call, she was busy nonstop. Then an accident with severe injuries happened right before the end of her shift, and it wasn’t like she could just leave the scene because she was supposed to be off the clock.

Despite her busy day, she hadn’t stopped thinking of Elise. She was frustrated that something seemed to be wrong, when she’d been doing so well. The last thing she wanted was for her sister to backslide. And Elise’s current mood made Everly question if she’d done the right thing by taking Elise away from her friends and her school in LA. It wasn’t like her to doubt herself, but her sister’s abrupt decision to quit the club—and her refusal to discuss it—had added to an already difficult day.

By the time she got home, Everly was not only stressed and frustrated, but also a bit irritated with Elise. The more she thought about how her sister had blown off her concerns, and Elise’s low blow about being left alone, the more upset Everly got. She was uncomfortable—the day had been hot, and the tank top she wore under her uniform was soaked with sweat—and she’d also sent a short text to Ball, letting him know she most likely wasn’t going to be able to come over, and that she’d see him tomorrow, hopefully. Just one more thing piled on her shitty day . . . not getting to see Ball.

Everly unlocked the door to her apartment—and immediately panicked at seeing it was dark.

Elise should’ve been home. It was after dinnertime, so she’d expected to see her sister in the living room, watching TV.

Dropping her bag, Everly rushed down the hallway toward Elise’s bedroom. She slammed the door open in her panic and stared.

Elise was lying on her bed, writing furiously in a journal that Ball had suggested Everly get for her sister.

Both relieved that she was all right and irritated that she’d been so scared, Everly stomped over to the bed and pounded on the mattress next to Elise’s shoulder.

Her sister jerked in panic, then scowled at Everly when she saw her standing there.

What the hell? Elise signed.

Have you done your homework? Everly asked.

It’s Friday. I don’t have to have it done until Monday.

That was true. But Everly was upset, her dread upon walking into a dark apartment making her irrational. I haven’t asked a lot of you, but the apartment’s a mess. You haven’t taken the trash out yet, and your room is a pigsty.

Elise glared. Is that why you invited me here? To be a maid?

Everly took a deep breath and tried to calm down. No. I’m sorry. Did you eat?

Of course. I was starving, and it’s not like you were here. Was I supposed to wait? Yeah, not happening.

I’m sorry, Elise. There was a bad accident, and I had to stay late.

Whatever.

Everly clenched her teeth together, trying to keep her cool. Considering the last thing she’d seen at work that day, a surly teen should be nothing . . . The sight of the infant screaming her head off in her child’s seat in the crumpled car still hadn’t left her mind. She’d been cut by flying glass, and the fire department hadn’t been able to get to her immediately. So she’d had to sit there, bawling, for about twenty minutes. It had been heart wrenching.

Perspective. With another deep breath, Everly tried again.

Can we talk about the Outdoor Club?

No.

Come on, Elise. Talk to me.

You’re not my mom. You don’t have to play one when we’re alone.

Everly blinked. Wow. That had been harsh.

She knew she should stay and push to find out what was bothering her sister, but she was tired, not in the mood to try. That remark about not being her mom . . . yeah, that hurt. And the hurt actually made her feel guilty, considering what Elise had been through.

Without a word, she turned and left Elise’s bedroom, shutting the door quietly behind her. She changed out of her uniform and into a pair of sweats and a T-shirt, not bothering with underwear or a bra, then she wandered through the living room and into the kitchen.

She opened the refrigerator and stared inside sightlessly. She wasn’t actually hungry . . . all she really wanted to do was sit and cry.

She’d been so proud of how well she and Elise had been doing, but after the day from hell, and her sister’s attitude, Everly wondered anew if she’d done the right thing, after all. Maybe she should’ve left Elise in Los Angeles with all her friends, in Me-Maw and Pop’s stable home.

More than two months had passed since her abduction, and neither the cops nor the FBI had found out any more information about who’d been behind it. It was highly unlikely Elise was in any more danger. Yet Everly still felt a subtle paranoia lurking.