The Right Kind Of Wrong Read online

  We walked over to his car; the 1965 red Ford Mustang he'd fought so much to restore. My sister had never agreed, could never even handle having the car around when it wasn't working.

  “This thing is beautiful,” I said with a dreamy sigh as I climbed inside, admiring the leather seats and the way everything had been so well maintained.

  “Haven't been in it in years. Have you?”

  “Not since I left. I think this is what I missed the most.” I closed my eyes, feeling his glare. “You're a close…third.” He gave me a quizzical look. “Nana is second.” He nodded in agreement, turning on the car. I grinned at Nathan, who brought the top of the car down so that the bright sun could hit us. Squealing in excitement, I turned on the radio and waited for him to take off.

  I must have looked like an idiot, grinning the whole time as he drove. Something about driving with the top down and listening to music was so very liberating. Luckily, Nathan never seemed to mind and I danced to the music, playfully nudging him when he didn't do the same.

  He rolled his eyes and began tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. It was always like this with him, just fun and entertainment.

  After a short fifteen minute drive, we made it to Nana's cozy little home. It had been originally in the plans for her to move in with my sister, but after seeing the pretentious house, she had opted, instead, to live on her own. She said the house Hannah had chosen was far too luxurious for her taste.

  It was safe to say I was a lot like her and I was proud to be.

  “You go in first,” I told Nathan.

  He agreed and I watched him walk up the driveway, opening my grandma's door without bothering to knock. Nana loved him. I saw them hugging, Nana reaching up to squeeze his cheeks, probably pinching the dimples everyone seemed to love about him.

  Nathan covered Nana's eyes and turned her around. Taking that as my cue to step out of the car, I did so quietly and walked up to her. She looked older, yet even from the distance, I could tell she was just as happy and optimistic as always.

  She asked Nathan what was going on, but he didn't say anything, eyeing me as I stood in front of them. Once there, he uncovered her eyes. They immediately widened with the shock of seeing me.

  “Oh, come on, Nana. Give your favorite granddaughter a hug.”

  She hit my shoulder playfully. “You devil child. You're going to give me a heart attack. Come here.”

  Nana hugged me and I reveled in her motherly comfort. Even though my parents both still lived, I knew them so little that my parental figures were my grandma and the man who they considered just a “chauffeur.” They'd been there for me more than Mr. and Mrs. Carson ever had been. In fact, they checked up on me more often than my mom did while I was gone. Sometimes weeks would pass in which all I would receive from my parents would be a text message to let me know they'd deposited money into my account.

  “Such a pretty young woman,” Nana said with pride, cupping my face. “Isn't she just stunning?

  I saw Nathan swallow at the question directed towards him. In the end, he replied with a single nod.

  “Have you told Hannah you're here?”

  Horror filled me at the thought of not letting Hannah know anything at all. However, when I saw Nathan clench his jaw as if the mere thought of my sister angered him, confusion replaced all doubt. They were definitely not in a good place.

  We spent a considerable amount of time with Nana, catching up and talking about all the different plans she had now that I was back. It felt more like home than my sister's house. Maybe it was a better idea for me to move in with Nana…

  Either way, I would be spending the following three weeks of the winter break with my grandmother.

  Maybe Nathan will let me borrow his car to drive her around.

  Not wanting to be alone, Nana opted to go to my sister's house with us for the night. All hope for a nice family dinner vanished when we pulled up and saw my sister standing at the door, arms crossed over her chest, a glare directed towards me through the windshield.

  I really, really didn't want to end up arguing on my first day back. But…

  Let the bitchfest begin.

  CHAPTER 3

  Evelyn

  I sighed, leaning back against the chair, staring right back at my dear sister. Why couldn't she just…chill? We were basically all one another had left—my parents were never around, but we still had each other. I refused to think there was no salvaging our relationship. Nathan groaned, running his hands over his face.

  Nana looked defeated as well and I just couldn't understand. Why did everyone dread her? What she needed was someone to be there for her and show her that there was more to life than money.

  “Are we all just going to sit here and wait for her to stop fuming or…?”

  When I was met with silence, I scoffed, opening the car door. Both Nathan and Nana yelled after me, telling me to wait, but crazy, silly me, didn't listen. I'd have to talk to Hannah eventually, and her reaction wouldn't change no matter what, so why prolong it?

  The dark-haired woman stared back at me with anger. Why couldn't she like me? I was her sister after all. It was as if I'd taken something from her, what that was, I never knew. It was clear to see the differences between us, even from a distance. She was “elegant” and “mature” while I was a “hot mess,” as she so sweetly put it.

  She didn't bother smiling at me when I did, and she didn't wave back when I waved at her.

  “You know, sis, you really should stop frowning so much,” I said loud enough so that she'd hear me. “You're only twenty-four, you may need to start on the Botox pretty soon if you keep it up.”

  Yeah, I could basically see the smoke coming out of her ears. My attempt at a joke wasn’t well received.

  “Come on Han, are you not happy to see me? It's been years,” I said, now standing directly in front of her. “If it makes you feel any better, I liked Florida better. It was warmer…although I'm not sure which is colder here…the weather or your heart.”

  I smirked, extending my arms to the sister who detested me and hugged her. Needless to say, the hug wasn't returned.

  “It's too easy to tease you, Han.”

  “There are some rules we should discuss before you even step foot into this house,” Hannah said. She was going back to her business persona as if this was some type of transaction.

  I glanced back at Nathan and Nana who still waited in the car. “Ugh, they're terrified of you. Let's get them inside and then you can bore me to death with your rules.”

  Before she had a chance to respond, I ran back to the car and knocked on the window. Nathan opened the door, a frown etched on his face. “You can stop shitting your pants, I've controlled the beast.”

  “Evelyn Marie Carson, watch your language!” Nana scolded from the back. Unable to hide my grin, I looked away, not without missing the grin that formed on Nathan's face as well.

  “Sorry,” I mumbled. “Let’s go. She's ready to go over the rules.”

  I helped Nana out of the car, Nathan following behind us. Hannah was probably waiting for us already in her office to intimidate me. Tension surrounded us, even as we walked inside the house. Tension that didn't fit Nathan and that sure as hell didn't belong on Nana either.

  “I'm going to wait out here,” Nana said, pointing to a sofa.

  Nathan nodded.

  “You sure you don't want to wait out here too?” I asked, nudging him with my elbow.

  “Nope. I'll go with you.”

  “I'm not scared of her, you know?”

  “Oh. I know,” he said. Though I couldn't see him, I sensed the smirk on his face.

  Finally, we were at my sister’s office. I felt like a kid about to be punished at the principal's office. She was pacing the room, her hair now up in a ponytail, but with a death stare plastered on her face.

  The office was so dull…so cold.

  I shivered despite still wearing my coat, watching how Nathan sat on a sofa without sparing a
single glance towards his wife. I knew eventually I'd learn about their problems, but the fact that I was going to live in a place where husband and wife could obviously not get along sounded like a nightmare.

  “I know I was playing with the whole Botox thing but if you keep doing that—”

  “Not the time, Evelyn. Sit down and listen.”

  “Yes ma'am,” I said with a mock salute.

  I went around to her desk, taking a seat in the much too comfortable chair behind it, earning another glare from her. When she saw I wasn't about to move, she shook her head, glancing over at Nathan as if asking for his help. He shrugged, crossing his arms over his chest.

  “Oh, you can do bitchy on your own, Han. You don't need his help.”

  Hannah nodded as if now she'd gotten all the signs she needed in order to continue.

  “Okay, Evelyn. Rules. You will not ask questions about what you see or what you hear. You will not discuss anything that goes on in this house outside of it, with anyone. Mom and dad are in charge of your allowance, as always. You will not do drugs or get drunk or do any of the crazy shit you did in Florida.”

  Drugs? Ugh, who the hell does she think I am?

  “You don't butt into any of my business and stay the hell away from this office. And—”

  “Is being sisterly anywhere in your rules?” I asked. Though it was meant to be sarcastic, the question held anger. All I heard with her rules was “stay out of my life,” but not a bit of “I’m here for you.”

  Ignoring my question, she continued. “Clearly this isn't an ideal situation, but as long as we stay out of each other's paths, there shouldn't be any major issues. Whenever I have important company over, you will behave, Evelyn. Do you understand?”

  “Basically, you live your life and I live mine,” I replied with clenched teeth.

  “Good. You get it.”

  “She's not an idiot, Hannah” Nathan finally broke his silence.

  At the first words directed toward her from her husband, my sister turned around, approached him slowly, almost seductively, and took a seat on his lap. I looked away, feeling uncomfortable at the interaction. “Are you ready for later tonight?”

  Nathan pressed his lips together. “No choice, right?”

  Oookay, then.

  “I think this is my cue to leave,” I said, standing up. They had things to discuss and I was not about to watch what was going to go down between them.

  “Remember the rules,” Hannah reiterated.

  “Crystal clear, sis.”

  I closed the door behind me and leaned against it with a sigh. I didn't pay attention to their muffled conversation. Instead, I drowned myself in my own thoughts.

  She spoke to me as if I didn't get it, as if I hadn't been living life on my own for three years. I hadn't planned on butting in on her life, but had it been naive of me to think that maybe, just maybe, we could try this whole sisterhood thing?

  I didn't have a single clue as to why she disliked me so much. We were different, I couldn't deny it, but that didn't take away the fact that we were still sisters. I wanted to be there for her…

  The door opened, and I nearly fell back. Hannah gave me an annoyed look.

  “Really, Evelyn? Eavesdropping?”

  My eyes widened with horror. “Oh, no, Han. I wasn't eavesdropping. I was just—”

  “Save it.” She walked past me, shoving me with her shoulder. A frustrated groan left my lips. This was so not the way I had planned for things to go.

  “Sorry about that,” Nathan said, running his hands over his hair again. He was frustrated, much more than before I had walked out.

  I shrugged. “We both know what she's like. Neither of us should be surprised.”

  Nathan nodded with a sad smile. “Listen, we won't be here later tonight. Order a pizza or something for dinner. Or…”

  “I can handle cooking, Nate.” He grinned at the nickname I had yet to use for him. “I'm not a young little girl anymore. I’m—”

  “Yeah, yeah. About to be twenty. I know.” He looked regretfully toward the door where my sister had disappeared. “I just wish things were different between Hannah and…everyone.”

  “You and I both.”

  Without any further words, Nathan disappeared and I was left wondering what exactly had gone wrong with my family.

  ***

  Dwelling on my sister's cruel attitude would do nothing to solve the problem. I would be responsible for my own actions, not hers. If she wanted to be so insufferable, that was her problem. I wouldn't let her bother me.

  I ordered a pizza for me and Nana and we watched a movie until she was tired and went to bed.

  “Rules, rules, rules.” I pinched the bridge of my nose. “What’s the point, sister? Why are you so angry?” I rubbed my forehead, deep in thought, trying to figure out what exactly prevented us from getting along. Whatever it was, it seemed to be bothering her now more than before. She hadn’t even bothered to greet me.

  My thoughts were interrupted by the door opening, Nathan and Hannah's familiar voices engaged in a hushed argument. This time, I did try to listen in to their conversation, though I didn't get much of it.

  I started tiptoeing up the stairs, failing to go unnoticed.

  Both their gazes drilled on my retreating body and I turned around slowly, giving them the most innocent look I could muster.

  “I was just going to bed. Didn’t want to interrupt your…conversation.”

  Nathan clenched his jaw. “We were just about done here anyway.” He forced a smile toward me and glanced back at my sister, who still stood at the bottom of the stairwell. The conversation wasn't over for her.

  “Nathan—”

  “Good night, Hannah.” He squeezed my arm gently. “Good night, Evie. It's good to have you back.”

  I nodded, unsure what to say. He continued his way upstairs, catching my attention when he turned the opposite way of the master bedroom. With furrowed brows, I looked at my sister.

  “What was that?”

  “Don't, Evelyn.” She walked past me, stopping when she was a few steps above me. “Remember, nothing you see here are you supposed to mention to anybody.”

  Still not quite understanding, I watched her go into what used to be their master bedroom.

  They don't even sleep together.

  Evidently, my sister's marriage was in shambles.

  CHAPTER 4

  Evelyn

  I shifted on the bed, once again frustrated at the intense cramping.

  Periods suck.

  Being a woman was difficult as it was, but to have the feeling of someone drilling through your uterus on a monthly basis made it even harder. Curling into a fetal position seemed to help and I did so, pulling the covers over my weakening body, closing my eyes, and breathing through the pain.

  Silently, I wondered what those girls who always posted cute shit about boyfriends bringing them gifts and chocolate and cuddles on Instagram did to find those type of guys. They seemed to have evaporated where I lived, leaving poor girls on their period like myself to fend for themselves.

  Not nice.

  I sighed, getting up and dragging the blanket with me. I walked downstairs only to find the kitchen lights already on.

  This was so not what I wanted.

  The past few days I'd barely had any interaction with either Nathan or Hannah. It may have been odd, but they didn't even speak to each other. Things were always so tense and…awkward with them around. Like a bomb ready to explode, actually, and I didn't want to be there when that shit storm happened, so I avoided them at all costs.

  It was a sad situation all around, but no one could interfere. It was their problem to solve. No matter how much I wanted to help, I felt out of place asking, even if it hurt me seeing two people I deeply cared about falling apart.

  A small smile formed on my lips at the sight of Nathan sitting at the island drinking a glass of orange juice.

  “Super early breakfast?” I asked, startl
ing him.

  He pressed his lips together and shrugged, running his hands through his already tousled hair. The muscle shirt he wore accentuated…well, his muscles and the sweatpants were a bit too low. I forced myself to look away.

  “Figured it was better than drinking that whole bottle of whiskey.”

  I frowned. My biggest weakness was feeling like I couldn't help, that's why I always went out of my way to do as much as I could for others. Shaking off the feelings, I poured myself a glass of water, searching through the cabinets for some Ibuprofen.

  “What are you looking for?” Nathan asked, standing up from the stool.

  “Pain meds.”

  Nathan furrowed his eyebrows, looking over his shoulder at me while he searched in a cabinet which I wouldn't have been able to reach anyways. He opened the bottle took a pill out, and handed it to me.

  “Take one. If it doesn't help, you can take another.”

  I rolled my eyes. Of course I knew that. The fact that he thought I needed to be reminded irritated me.

  Until he opened up the oven.

  The smell of recently baked cookies invaded my nostrils, immediately making me forget any of my cramping. He smirked, handing me the batch of cookies.

  “I swear I hear angels singing,” I said, taking a bite of a warm chocolate chip cookie. My eyes closed as I savored the heavenly treat. Nathan shot me an amused glance, pushing the batch closer to me. “I need all of them,” I mumbled.

  “All yours,” he said with a small smile.

  I offered him one and after some hesitation he took it, chuckling when I gave a thumbs up.

  “Are you feeling better?”

  I nodded happily. There was no way I couldn't feel good, not with the deliciousness in front of me. Diet be damned, us women deserved all the cookies and sweets of the world be given to us in a silver platter for the hell we went through every month.