Noel
I climbed the ivy-laden trellis that ran up the side of the house, my fingers gripping the cool metal frame as I hauled myself up. The night air was crisp, biting at the exposed skin of my hands and face, but it felt almost calming in its simplicity. It had been too long since I'd been home, and yet, the thought of facing the boys kept me at arm's length from the front door. Rain would undoubtedly be seething, Ethan would be quietly disappointed, and Ruben... Well, Ruben’s reaction would depend entirely on his mood. I just couldn’t deal with it. Not yet.
The window creaked as I nudged it open, the sound slicing through the silence like a guilty confession. I winced but pushed through, swinging my legs over the sill and landing softly on the carpeted floor. The room was exactly as
