Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 119(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 119(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
As bold and fierce as my twin can be, there's a sweetness that runs deep. If she wants to work with animals, I think it’s best for her to do it with a bit of distance and where she can do some good. In fact, this is one of those times that flashing the last name of our family comes in handy. She can raise all kinds of money because of who they are but also because Briar could charm anyone if she wanted to.
Still, with how far I’ve come, there’s something missing that I can’t put my finger on. There’s doubt I hold inside, and it creeps out in all parts of my life, but I don’t know what it is.
Lie.
I know where it comes from, and I’m not sure I can change that. I suppose that’s one of the problems when you map your life out with such precision and someone rips what you wanted from you. So I focus on what I can control and make it so that it’s hard to think about much else because I cram every hour of my day with things to be done. This way I can’t think about the missing piece of my puzzle.
Okay, maybe it’s not missing, but it wasn’t willing to go into the place I wanted it to.
Right now, I’m focusing on other things. I’ve been considering going back for my master’s in accounting at night because it’s not exactly as though I have a nightlife. Part of me wonders if I should wait, with how crypto money is now flooding into the market. There isn’t enough to teach on it yet because it’s so hard to trace. I’d know because I, on a few occasions, might have gone poking in places I shouldn't have, but I blame Briar and her rebellion rubbing off.
At this moment, I should be thinking about my new job and maybe in a year reevaluate going back to school. Once I realize this, I pick up my phone and mark it in my calendar.
“Stop making weird notes and eat the last crab cake,” Briar says, so I put my phone on the edge of the table and grab the last one.
My parents told me to slow down after graduation and take the summer off. How could I have taken a breath when I was about to graduate? I was in the process of moving off campus and finding a new place to live, and to do that, I had to know where I’d be working. City traffic can be crazy. These things were important to be aware of before I signed some year-long lease and found out I have an hour commute.
In true Briar fashion, she backed me up and started making up reasons why we needed to get a move on it quickly. Even though our parents knew she was making shit up for my defense. It didn’t matter if Briar thought my parents were right; she’d tell me that later when we were alone.
When facing anything, we’re always on each other's side no matter how ridiculous the other is being. I often get the short end on that one because Briar can do some really ridiculous shit. Sometimes I can talk her out of things, but other times Briar is going to do whatever catches her attention, and I’m just along for the ride.
I consider finding a new place to live a big deal, while my twin could care less. Briar is down with whatever, but giving her options is when things get out of control.
“So tell me how your week went,” Briar asks as she goes for a spring roll. “I’ve missed my nightly updates.” It’s true, because Briar has been going out at night, and I don’t think it’s clubbing or bar hopping. She’s up to something.
“Speaking of, where have you been in the evenings?”
“There are some things you shouldn't know about, Meadow.”
“Oh, now I really need to know,” I say, and she chews on her bottom lip for a second. “Seriously?” Briar knows I’m not going to judge whatever it is she’s up to.
“Maybe I was doing some light stalking.”
“Light stalking?” I say a silent prayer that Briar hasn’t gone and got some crazy PI job. It’s not exactly out of the question.
“I mean, can you stalk kittens? That can’t be against the law,” she says, and I shake my head. On the surface this sounds legal, but I don’t think we’re going to land on legal by the time this story is over. “I might have kidnapped a few kittens when I saw an opening.”
“Did you punch someone in the process?”
“Of course not. The kittens were right there, and it would have traumatized them.”
“Right,” I laugh.
“Drink more of your cocktail,” she says, and when I start to reach for it, I pause.