Paxton narrowed his eyes with a crooked grin and patted my ass. “Hurry back, love.”
I walked out to my car, which Paxton had already backed out of the garage. I’d hit a trashcan once. One time. Now Paxton always backed it out for me, leaving the motor idling as if I didn’t know how to start a car. Another way for him to be better than me, make me feel less than him. It didn’t bother me, not really. I’d grown used to it, and this was a brand-new car. It was mine, bought for me…but not really. He would be quick to remind me that it was in his name if need be. That and everything else within my sight.
A cool shudder traveled down my spine when I felt the eerie atmosphere. The neighborhood sounded quiet, matching the gloomy overcast. My eyes drifted to the time on the clock as I backed out of my drive, just after two. It seemed more like nine o’clock at night. Even the neighborhood seemed glum, with empty yards and boarded-up windows.
My eyes shifted to my neighbor’s house. My best friend—for now, anyway. I sighed and shook my head. I couldn’t think about that. Not now. I’d think about that later, when I had to. The liftgate was up on Candace’s car and a black duffle bag sat on the ground. Lane must have decided they were going inland. I hoped we were, too. I wasn’t overjoyed about the rain and wind, pelting our house half the night. It gave me the creeps just thinking about it. My other neighbors, Tricia and Brant, must have gone already. The ghostly atmosphere of their house matched the neighborhood. A tire swing in the side yard swayed lightly with the wind.
How eerie.
There’d been something I thought of earlier that I wanted to add to my list. For the life of me, I couldn’t remember what it was. I searched my brain and frowned at the mirror when I watched the strange car pull out behind me. The old Honda didn’t appear to belong on our cul-de-sac—nothing about it rang as familiar. I turned the annoying voice down on the radio, reminding us again of the tropical storm. They were repeating the same thing. Over and over. We probably wouldn’t get any of it.
“Band-Aids,” I called aloud, still watching the car behind me. My girls went through more Band-Aids than anyone I knew. Every little scratch justified a bandage. I turned right, and the car behind me followed. A shortcut to the left had the same results. That’s when the surge of nerves hit.
My heart sped up a bit when I saw the driver. Was it? Surely not. My eyes stayed focused on the driver while the beating in my chest thumped faster and faster. I pulled into the First Carter Bank parking lot with trembling hands, a dry mouth, and a yearning stronger than I had ever felt in my life. The old car followed, parking right beside me. She didn’t waste any time. Not one second. She was at my door in two point seven seconds.
My hand covered my mouth with an audible breath and tears instantly formed in my eyes. I blinked away my blurred vision and opened the door. Words can’t begin to describe that feeling. I didn’t know if it was a sister thing or a twin thing, but it was there. A bond that can never be broken. Strong like it always had been. Seeing her face, knowing she was right in front of me, watching her walk toward me. It was all so surreal. It was her. My sister. My twin. A hazy ache formed in my chest, settling to the pit of my stomach. My entire body shook with anticipation, and I could hear beating with loud thumps in both my ears.
I was blindsided for a second, unsure of what I should call her. Choosing the safe route, I didn’t refer to her by any name.
“Oh, my God. What are you doing here?” It was haunting. I didn’t even remember getting out of my car. It was like seeing myself, but not really. She even wore a similar dress and had her hair back. I read once that twins separated at birth and raised apart often lived the same way. Her taste was the same as mine. I swear, it was like seeing myself in a mirror. Even more now than before.
Her fingers ran through her hair and she pulled on it with a tight grasp in both fists. The expression on her face surpassed the surprise on mine, and I noticed the swallow. A lump. Probably the same as the one I had. “Gabby! Oh, my God!”
“Izzy, what are you doing here?” Not waiting for her answer, I said, “I don’t have much time. I’ve got to get going.” My palms sweated and my body shook as if Paxton watched from around the corner. I wrung my hands and worried about this outcome. It was critical that Paxton not find out about this.
Izzy gawked at me like I had just slapped her across the face. Twice. Complete disbelief. “Are you joking? You desert your sister for almost thirteen years, and you’ve got to get going?”
My head tilted to the side, guilt riding my conscience. “I didn’t desert you,” I said in an unconvincing tone.