Brothers Forever

12. I Will Haunt You

Chapter 12: I Will Haunt You

Sterling’s Point of View

 

I tossed my backpack into the passenger seat of my truck more forcefully than I meant to as I climbed in. I immediately started up the engine and drove out of there; I just couldn’t take the place anymore.

I turned the radio on, but every song that played just put me in a fouler mood, so I just shut it off. I drove the rest of the way in an eerie silence. I stared at the road and tried to focus solely on driving alone; I didn’t want my thoughts wondering off to other places at the moment.

I arrived at the park in a short amount of time. When I say park, I mean like acres upon acres of trees, plants, and animals. There were a couple playgrounds scattered around and a quaint, little river that cut through it. I always loved this park for the hiking trails that are weaved throughout the forest.

I drove until I got close to my favorite trail; it was a lesser known one that only frequent hikers to the park knew about. I parked my red truck and jumped out immediately. I headed straight to the path, smiling once I reached it. I started my trek, knowing exactly where to step, when to duck under branches, and where to jump over patches of poison ivy. I followed the trail until I reached a familiar fork in the road. I took the one less traveled by as I had so many years ago when I first discovered my favorite spot.  

The trail got less and less discernible as I delved deeper and deeper into the woods. It didn’t worry me though; I could find my way to this place blindfolded. After a while, I finally spotted what I came here for in the distance. I jogged the rest of the way until I was met by a majestic oak tree. I glanced up to see the worn ladder was still intact and I found myself grinning in anticipation. I grabbed a rung in my arms reach and began pulling myself up; arm over arm and step by step I pulled until I reached the top.

I heaved myself the last little bit onto the dirt encrusted floor of the tree house. I didn’t care if I was almost eighteen years old; this old, abandoned tree house was just plain awesome! I don’t think anyone knew about it besides me. Well, I showed it to Bren once, years ago, but I doubt she remembered it anymore. This was the one place I could be completely alone with my thoughts. I could just stare out into the trees and remain unseen while watching the animals scurry around below me. I had come here many times in my life when I just needed a break from reality. It always provided the perfect cure.

I knew Greyson had a thing for Bren for quite a while now, but I never, not in a million years, would have thought that Bren would feel the same way about him. I mean, I knew they were close, but I thought she always considered him to be the brother she never had. I never thought it would turn into something more than a close friendship.

I can’t believe I told the girl of my dreams to be with my brother. How messed up is that? I want her to be happy though, even if I’m not the source of that happiness anymore. I screwed up a long time ago and I didn’t realize until recently just how badly I messed everything up. I was the closest to Bren that I’ve been in two years and now I’m encouraging her to be with another guy. Of course, that was after she firmly placed me in the friend zone multiple times. It definitely seems like that’s all we will ever be anymore. It might kill me a bit inside, but I think I can live with that. It’s my own fault anyhow.

***

 “Sterling!” I heard a wonderfully familiar voice call to me dimly.

“Sterling! Wake up!” The voice got louder, and I felt my shoulders being shaken back and forth.

Since when did I fall asleep? I opened my eyes and they immediately found two, ocean blue ones. They were filled with concern, but they were immediately replaced with relief. Her face was only inches from mine and I couldn’t help but let my eyes scan down her face to her plump, pink lips. I felt a strong urge to meet them with my own, but I knew I couldn’t do that. I had been put in the friend zone on multiple occasions today alone.