In this excerpt, you meet Geneva, who's trying her hardest not to drown after the loss of Julian, in a house that holds his six best friends and his identical twin, Luka. And they try their hardest to help her:
The movie we’re watching has pastel colors and silk and roses in it. It’s something historical and romantic judging by the music. I have a hard time following though, which is more a state of mind than about the film, I’m sure.
Five minutes in, I flick a glance at James. His eyes are glazing over. Lenny sighs next to him, and Nathaniel’s arm around my shoulder seems to go heavier by the second. They’re already bored out of their skulls, and they can’t even complain that I chose the film. I stifle a smile.
Did Diego stage this? Is he the reason why we’re doing this pseudo-family thing, always eating together and watching PG-rated films before bedtime?
Luka smacks the film off.
“What was that for?” I say, because it was Luka, not because I was watching.
“No dying,” he mutters, shoving a blond bang behind his ear while he works the remote. “What else is there?”
“A romantic comedy.” Marlon does a single hand-clap.
It’s surreal when everyone agrees and we end up watching The Wedding Plan.
Nathaniel keeps me warm. James keeps my glass full. Luka mutes the goddamn sound when we hit stuff he considers triggers, and he does it without a word and with no objections from the others. It’s ridiculous and annoying, but his expression is old-country-frozen and bides no discussion.
I’m curled up against Nathaniel by the time the movie ends. The screen flickers blue, giving an eerie light to the TV-room. The others groan and stretch. There’s chatter about boobs and hot side characters.
I’m having a hard time keeping my eyes open. It is past twelve after all, and I’ve been drinking. It’s difficult to know how much you down if someone fills your glass all the time. This must be how ambassadors become alcoholics, I think randomly.
“I’m sleeping at Joy’s tonight,” I mumble.
“You want a ride?” Luka asks in that cold rumble of his.
“No. I can drive myself.”
“No, you can’t.”
“You’re not the boss of me.”
“I’m not going to discuss this with you, so suck it up. You’re drunk, and you’re practically already asleep. If you don’t want me to drive you, someone else can. James is sober.”
I blink slowly, focusing on James in front of me. I’m actually not that drunk. I’m just really tired. Which is a great! I swallow my pride.
“No worries, James. I’ll sleep here.”
“I don’t mind,” he says, sweet as always. “I’ll get you there if you want to. You can sleep in the car on the way there and I’ll carry you in.”
“Silly boy. No, I’ll be fine here.”
Nathaniel stands, and I’m impressed when he hoists me into his arms and strides for the stairs. “Say ‘night-night,’” he tells me, and I do. It’s odd to have the whole crew waving at me—sans Luka, of course, who just stares after us with those unreadable yellow eyes.
Complicated Hearts by Ashley Jade
