Splinters: Part One

Part One | 47

"Is that how long we'll be gone?"

I shrugged. "Somewhere around there."

She licked her lips. "Well, I told them I'd be at Tays and let her in on the lie. She's over at Phill's."

"She's still talking to him?"

Collie rolled her eyes. "Unfortunately." 

I waited for a moment before asking her a question. "So, can I ask you something?"

She looked over at me. "Sure," she trailed off. I could tell she was nervous about my question.

"What exactly did you and my sister talk about when me and Andrew left the room when you guys came over?"

"That's girl talk," she smirked.

"C'mon, Collie," I whined, coming to a stop at a red light.

"Why does it matter?"

"Would it shock you to say that she really likes you now?"

Her face fell. The answer to my question is a definite yes.

"She likes me?" Collie gawked.

"She thinks you're cool."

"What? Why? What did she say?"

"Just that when the two of you talked, she was wrong about you and she thinks you're cool."

"Oh my God, Brayden. Ursanne Pierson, your sister, doesn't despise me anymore!"

"I would love to know how that's possible."

Collie looked all around, still confused that my sister doesn't hate her guts anymore. "I mean, I just explained to her how much yours and my relationship matters and that her and Andrew might soon understand why we never gave up on each other. Then I told her that you're a great brother and you deserved more than sneaking around. And then she explained to me how she felt about the whole situation."

"You listened to her," I admitted, looking at the road now. "That's why."

Collie smiled to herself as I grasped her hand. "Thank you, Collie." She squeezed it. "For trying. It means a lot to me."

"I know I did some things I regret and shouldn't have done," she admitted, "but I do want to have a healthy relationship with your family, especially with her."

"And now you do," I grinned, glancing at her.

Collie rest her head back. "So when I meet your mom, what exactly should I tell her?"

I shrugged. "Whatever you want?"

She gave me a flat look. "Brayden, I want to show her that I'm at least a little interesting."

I laughed. "You are interesting. I don't know. I'm not sure what we'll talk about."

"Will it be serious?"

"Hopefully not. I honestly just want you guys to meet and to find out a little more about my brother."

"Have you talked to her about your dad?"

I nodded. "She knows he's dead."

Collie didn't reply, and I knew why. She wanted to ask something that she wasn't sure would be comfortable with me to answer. And although it might be a difficult question, I'd tell her the truth.

"Do, um... Do you know..." she trailed off.

"You can ask me, Collie," I assured, although I wasn't sure I wanted to know what it was. She seems really scared to ask.