Seven Times They Chose Him. The Last Time, They Lost Me Chapter 02

Seven Times They Chose Him. The Last Time, They Lost Me Chapter 02

The second day I was home healing, it was Grandpa’s birthday. The house was full of relatives.

I came downstairs with my cast. When the relatives saw me, their eyes shifted.

Some whispered. “That’s him? The one who got mad at a dog and fell down the stairs?”

“I heard Connor got sick from the scare. That kid’s nothing but trouble.”

I kept my mouth shut and stared down at the carpet, counting the squares.

Connor came over with a glass of juice and stopped beside me.

“Leo, does your arm still hurt?”

He didn’t speak loudly, but everyone around could hear. “Don’t be mad at Biscuit. He hasn’t been eating for days.”

I stepped back.

Suddenly—splash.

Juice went everywhere—all over Connor’s new clothes. He burst into tears.

“Leo, why’d you do that—”

I clutched the hem of my shirt, before I could speak.

Grandpa slammed his glass down on the table. “Leo Bennett! You think just ’cause you’re a kid, you can pull whatever you want?”

“Connor brings you juice out of the goodness of his heart, and you dump it all over him? What kind of heartless kid did we raise in this family?”

I looked up at Mom and Dad. Mom saw the whole thing, but she still avoided my eyes.

“Dad, this—”

“Shut up!”

Grandpa slammed the table and stood. “You two spoiled him rotten!”

He rushed at me and slapped me.

“That’s one—for not being able to stand your own brother! No Bennett acts this small!”

I stumbled back. My face was on fire.

The whole room just stared.

Connor ducked behind Grandma, shoulders heaving—but there wasn’t a single tear.

Grandpa raised his hand for the second slap.

“That’s two—for making Connor sick!”

“He heard you fell down the stairs and got so scared he didn’t sleep for two days straight. Doctor says he needs rest. And you? You’ve still got energy to pick on him?”

This one landed harder. My ears rang. I tasted blood.

Connor ran over crying and tugged Grandpa’s sleeve. “Grandpa, don’t hit Leo. It’s all my fault—”

He cried harder, clutching his chest, gasping for air.

Grandma frantically patted his back.

“Quick, his meds! Connor’s meds!”

Dad finally got out of his chair and stood in front of me.

“Dad! What, you’re still taking his side?”

Dad spread his arms and blocked me.

“You want to hit him? You hit me first.”

Grandpa was so angry his voice shook. He pointed at my face and yelled.

“Look at that. Your father is still protecting you! We spoiled you too much. We spoiled you rotten!”

The third slap never landed, but I couldn’t stand anymore.

My vision went black. I fell straight down.

I woke up in the hospital again. Dad was sitting by my bed.

Nurse Amy was asleep at the foot of the bed. Dad’s throat tightened.

“Connor’s had it rough. His dad died saving me.”

“If I told the truth, Grandpa would never forgive him.”

“Just give your brother a break. One more time. Okay?”

I closed my eyes. “And if I say no?”

He stiffened, his brow furrowing. “Leo. Don’t make this difficult.”

My cheek still burned.

“Get out!”

His last bit of patience ran out. “Rest for a while. I’ll come back later.”

He left quickly. When the door closed, I heard Connor’s voice. “Dad, is Leo okay?”

“It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have let Biscuit chase Leo.”

Dad’s voice softened immediately.

“It’s not your fault. Your brother is just too stubborn. He can’t even tolerate a dog.”

I stared up at the ceiling. Tears slipped out of the corners of my eyes, soaking into the pillow. I didn’t make a sound.

The first time I broke my arm, I cried so hard I thought I was gonna throw up. I figured I didn’t have any tears left.