The Immortals by Mary Hallberg (chrysanthemum read aloud txt) 📗

He looked away. “Nobody. It’s nothing.”

“Why don’t you look me in the eyes and tell me that, Matt?” He didn’t budge. “It’s about me, isn’t it?”

He shrugged. “I might have kind of had a thing for you awhile back. No big deal.” he fidgeted on the couch.

“And what was the plan? To declare your love for me in front of everyone?”

“No, Kenzie! God, you weren’t even supposed to see that. I thought you’d figured it out anyway, when I read it back in November. I thought if you didn’t realize it back then, you never would.”

“How was I supposed to know that poem was about me? You were dating Paige then.”

“I wrote it back when I first met you, before Paige and I actually started dating. And come on...I knew it wasn’t going to work out with her and you did too. We were too different. I always liked you.”

I looked at the concrete wall. “I have to go.”

“Kenzie, I’m sorry. This is why I didn’t tell you. I didn’t want things to be awkward. It was already bad enough when you broke up with Gage. I realized that no matter what, even if you did have feelings for me, I could never have you because he’s my brother.”

I reached out to put a hand on his shoulder, but settled for his knee instead. Probably not the best idea either. “I know, I’m sorry. I just have to go.” I stood up. “Gage invited me over tonight. So I guess I’ll see you then.”

chapter seventeen

The benefit went as well as I had expected and the Cavanaghs didn’t turn out much better. Dinner consisted of some sort of beef dish that tasted pretty good but probably had two zillion calories. I had been living off grilled chicken and fitness water for the past four months thanks to mom’s cooking and cafeteria food.

“So what are you guys doing this weekend?” Elizabeth said. “Gage and I were thinking about driving to New York City. I haven’t seen my parents in awhile, and I really want to go back to Central Park.

“That’s kind of far, isn’t it?” I said.

“Yeah, it’s a pretty long drive. But we’re kind of sick of everything around here. I mean, how many times can you go to that damned electronics store? Besides, I kind of miss my family. I haven’t seen them in months. My older brother wants to take me and Gage to the Central Park Zoo. He says zoos are kind of romantic.”

“Romantic?” Jacey shrugged. “I always thought zoos were kind of dirty.”

“He said there was something really nice about spending your time with the person you love while watching some of God’s most beautiful creatures.”

“Yeah, nothing says ‘I love you’ like watching a tiger take a crap in a cage,” Jacey retorted. She and Gage snickered, and Elizabeth huffed. I looked over at Matt, who was smiling at me. Under the table, he took his hand in mine.

I should have left after dinner, but wasn’t sure how to excuse myself. Everyone ended up in the living room facing a prospect I never thought I’d have to worry about after buying a TV bigger than 12 inches: There was nothing on.

“Hey, why don’t we watch a movie?” Gage said. “One rule though — Kenzie doesn’t get to pick.”

I crossed my arms. “And why the hell not?”

“Do you remember the last movie you made us watch?” He grinned.

“What’s wrong with Titanic? Everyone I know back home loves it. My mom considers it a classic.”

He got on his stomach and fumbled in the cabinet. “It's so depressing. This hot rich girl leaves her fiancé for some homeless guy and then he dies. Did people really used to watch movies like that?”

“You totally missed the point,” I said, but it went unnoticed. Elizabeth had crouched on the floor beside him, rendering him oblivious to the world.

She pulled out a disc of Titanic and held it in front of Gage. “I want to watch it. I’m in the mood for a sappy love story.”

He made a face, but replied with, “Whatever you say, darling.” He moved the disc and kissed her. They stayed on the floor for several minutes and I looked away.

Matt sat by me on the couch and I felt my shoulder jammed against his, but tried to ignore it as the movie started. Halfway through, I glanced over my other shoulder and saw Gage out of the corner of my eye. His arm was around Elizabeth and their fingers were intertwined. She whispered something in his ear, and he smiled even wider, leaning in closer to her for a kiss. I turned away and kept watching the movie but heard them whispering. Matt glanced at me and I nodded toward Gage and Elizabeth. Matt shrugged.

Several minutes later they began giggling again. “Ow, stop Gage!” Elizabeth squealed. “That tickles!” We all looked at her, and she covered her mouth quickly. “Oops,” she whispered. “Sorry.” She snuggled back into Gage’s embrace. After a moment, I got up from the couch and headed outside, my eyes stinging.

I sat on the front porch for awhile playing with a piece of pine straw. I wasn’t sure how much time passed before the door opened and a silhouette emerged in the dim living room light.

“Couldn’t handle it anymore?” Matt said. “Can’t say I blame you. Those two were all over each other. I knew people liked to make out during movies, but damn. At least they were at home when they did it. I never did understand why people paid money to go to a movie theatre and just made out the whole time. Waste of money.”

He crouched down beside me, taking the pine straw out of my hand and tossing it over the concrete in to the bushes. “I know it’s tough,” he said. “I don’t think Gage realizes what he’s doing.”

“It’s not Gage. I mean, I just thought it would be over by now. I didn’t think I would care that he