Splinters: Part One

Part One | 46

I glanced at her. "I think I'll let them be together."

She jumped in happiness, wrapping her arms around me. "You're so sweet, Brayden!"

I hugged her back, thankful that I had a girlfriend like her. I wasn't sure what I'd do if Collie and I never got together and I had to deal with Andrew all on my own. Then again, I wouldn't have to deal with Zech...

"Will you do something with me, though?"

She pulled away, her hands on my shoulders. "Sure. What is it?"

"Let's go take a drive to Andrew's."

"Why? Are you going to talk to him?"

"Let's just say I have some important things to say."

...

In about thirty minutes, after walking back to Collie's house and getting her car and then driving all the way to Andrew's house, we made it. The butterflies in my stomach wouldn't settle in the least, although I was sure Andrew would be more caught off guard seeing me in the doorway.

"Are you sure you want to do this, Brayden?" Collie asked hesitantly.

I had a feeling she didn't like confrontation all that much, but at the moment I didn't care. She can stay in the car if she needs to. Andrew has got to know where I stand with him and Ursanne being together.

"Yes," I replied, opening the door and getting out, marching to Andrew's front door. If I sit in the car with her, I'll change my mind and I can't afford to do that.

I knocked three times as loud and hard as possible when I approached his door, ignoring the pain in my knuckles. It wasn't long until Penny Fredrickson opened it, a bright smile beginning at her lips.

"Brayden," she remembered. "I haven't seen you in a while."

Obviously, she had no idea of what her oh-so precious son did to me.

"Is Andrew here?" I asked just as Collie met me at my side.

She nodded. "Do you want me to go get him?"

"Please?"

She acknowledged Collie before calling for Andrew who took five minutes to reach the stairs. When he and I made eye contact, his face fell in confusion and nervousness. Slowly, he descended the next few steps before meeting me at the doorway.

"Thanks, Mom." He glanced at her, letting her know that she could leave now.

She grinned at us and then left to resume whatever she was doing before.

"I didn't know you'd be coming," he admitted uncomfortably.

"Well what I've got to say is pretty important, so..."

He awkwardly leaned against the doorframe, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "W-what's up?"

I narrowed my eyes at him. "I've got two questions," I said, counting each on my left hand. "One, when did you start looking at my sister, and two, when did you think it was okay to start sneaking around behind my back with her?"

Andrew closed his eyes in embarrassment. His left hand went up to his forehead and he took a deep breath.

"Brayden, I'm sor-"

I laughed humorlessly. "After all you did-"

"I know, I know."

"-you think you can just swoop in and take my sister."

"I even thought you were better than that, Drew," Collie said.

He glanced at the both us sadly. "We knew none of you would accept it."