Free Every Soul by LK Collins Page A

was something, she fooled me. I’ve searched her room, talked to her friends, and exhausted just about every last lead imaginable. I mean, at this point, the police station should start to pay me for all the time I’ve put into everything.
    Fuck, thinking about her and all of this shit gets me so pissed; I feel like I could lose my mind. I don’t want to be mad at her, but how can I not? She tore our family to shreds. Why didn’t she come to me and tell me that she was feeling that way? We were best friends. Hell, we were twins and had been together since the moment that we were born. I would’ve done anything for her, to help her and get her through those tough times.
    What the fuck am I wasting my time for now? It’s too late. She’s gone and I’m not going to take myself down this path again. I’ve done it time and time again. It pains me that I’ve lost her, that she decided to leave it all. Heading to my bathroom, I pop a few pills. Letting the chalkiness dissolve on my tongue. I go back downstairs to wait for them to hit me and check my phone. Arion hasn’t texted me back. I toss it next to me and flip on the TV. Right away there’s a basketball game on. It’s been months since I’ve seen any ball, so I force myself to watch it. Maybe it will give me back my drive or at least help me decide what I’m going to do with my life. I know I can’t live at home and off of my parents forever. Well, I could, but…I don’t want to.
    “Glad to see you’re watching some ball,” my dad says. “Listen, I’m gonna run so I can stop by the office on the way out to the airport.”
    “Sounds good, have a good time.”
    “Thanks.” He pats my shoulder, and then he’s gone.
    I’m not sure how long I stay on the couch or how much of the game I even watch, the pills have me so spun. But the doorbell rings and I’m hesitant to answer it; it’s always people selling shit. Then I remember I gave Arion my address, but there’s no way she would show up over here without calling me. Would she?
    Looking out the peephole on the door, I’m shocked. Damn straight she would. This chick is fucking crazy. Upon opening it, I’m struck by her beauty. So natural and confident, instantly my cock twitches and begins to grow, straining the fabric of my shorts. Damn thing has a mind of its own.
    “Hey,” I say.
    “Hey. So this is really where you live?”
    “Yeah, did you think I was lying?” I ask, gesturing her inside. She walks past me, looking around, and I kiss her on the cheek. Hmm, she smells so good. “Why didn’t you call?”
    “You didn’t say I needed to,” she responds, setting her purse down.
    “True, I just assumed you would.”
    “When it comes to me, Bain, don’t assume anything.”
    “That, I can do.” She sits at the island and I ask, “Are you hungry?” I ask, knowing I need food to get my head leveled.
    “I always am.”
    “Me too. Wanna eat?”
    “Depends on what you’re making.”
    I glance in the freezer, naming the first thing that I see. “I can put a pizza in the oven.”
    “Pizza’s cool,” she says looking around the house.
    She seems nervous, not like herself. “Are you all right?” I ask.
    “Yeah, why?”
    “You just seem a little distracted.”
    “I just didn’t expect your house to look like this.”
    “Well, it’s not my house. It’s my parents’.”
    “You know what I mean, this place is crazy nice. Where are they this weekend?”
    “My dad is out of town on business and my mom is…” I stop myself before answering.
    “Girls’ weekend? Cabo? Business too?” she asks.
    I shake my head and figure honesty is the way to go after she was so upfront at the restaurant. “She’s in rehab.”
    “Oh shit Bain. I’m sorry.”
    “Don’t be, it’s better for her there right now.”
    Arion nods her head as if she understands.
    “Want me to show you around?” I ask.
    “Sure.”
    I pop the pizza in the oven and then reach for her hand, before leaving the