Holly sat in her brother Cyrus’s living room, thinking about what was going on. Petting the little cat, Cello, while Isis laid on the floor reading. Isis was in town for a visit while Gage was filming a movie.
All of Retribution, including Colt, was having trouble trusting her. She knew that they were expecting her to trick them. Even though she was dating Colt, it was still tense. She just hoped after all this, he would trust her fully.
She had managed over the past week to convince Davis that she was pretending to be interested in Colt to manipulate him. Davis was falling for it since Retribution had seemed to bow to his demands.
Cyrus came in, finding her looking at a photo of their parents. He went over and sat beside her taking the photo smiling with pride.
“Cy, do you think they would have been proud of me, or that I’m the monster everyone thinks I am?”
“Holly, you are not a monster. I think they would be proud that you are trying to make things right. Wraith and I are proud of you.” He reached over pulling her in a hug and she snuggled into him.
“But, you wouldn’t have put me through this, if you both didn’t think I was doing anything wrong, to begin with.” Holly took a deep breath.
“Right. I have been noticing that when you are not at the show, or around Davis, you seem to be more of the old Holly lately. I still see my tough little sister, but a softer side too. I hate to admit it, but I think Colt has been good for you.”
Isis giggled. “I thought you said you were going to beat the crap out of him for touching her. That he’s not good enough for your sweet little sister.”
Cyrus grunted. “I never said I liked that she was having…” a low grumble. “I said he has been good for her.”
“I care for him, Cy. I hope this relationship works out. It’s not just sex. At first, it was, but Colt and I have been talking about it. We won’t have sex again until I’m sure that I’m ready. Cy, you might not like to admit it, but Isis and I are grown women now and not little girls to protect. I have sex now. You know that one S-word you still can’t say in front of me. S. E. X. Sex.” Holly and Isis laughed.
“Maybe we need to talk about this. If you are thinking about getting serious with Colt, you need to take precautions. You are being careful, right? Protecting yourself? Same for you, Isis.” Cyrus seemed serious.
Holly rolled off the couch next to Isis on the floor and they started cracking up. “Oh, my gosh! Cyrus! Are we seriously having the sex talk? Wraith had that talk with us when we were in middle school. I even have my period. I’m a big girl now. I even grew myself some boobies.”
“Gross. I was just making sure. But I think you both need to be on the pill.”
“Cyrus! We are. Dude, what the hell? Brother, I promise, I’m fine. Geez. You realize I am twenty-four, not twelve, right?” She got up and grabbed him in a headlock, rubbing his head. “Stop being a weirdo.”
They started wrestling around with Cyrus laughing.
“One day, little one. Keep trying. One day you’ll be able to take down your old brother… but not today.” He sat on her, laughing, and tickling her sides.
“Cyrus! You suck! Get off me, boney butt!”
“What’s that? I can’t hear you?”
Wraith walked in. “Here we go again. You two stop wrestling around before you break something.”
Cyrus got up and looked over at Holly and smirked. They both said in unison. “Yes, dad.”
They both started laughing and went after Wraith, who instantly got them both and headlocks. Isis just sat by giggling. She loved watching them wrestle around together, but was always too small to join in.
“Who’s your master?” Wraith asked while he pulled them around the room by their heads.
Holly was laughing too hard to speak. Cyrus was trying to reverse it but was laughing too hard too. Wraith just chuckled, finally let go.
Holly giggled and pulled them close to hug them both. “I love you two. I hope you know that. You are the best brothers ever.”
Isis got up and joined the group hug. “The best.”
“We love you, girls, too. Now, what’s this crap about, Colt? We need to talk to him about the rules of dating our sister?”
Holly smacked her forehead, flopping back onto the couch. “Not you too.”
He backed up, looking like he saw a ghost. “Are you wearing a dress with flowers? Who are you and what did you do with my sister?”
“I am still a girl, you jerk, and it’s purple with black roses. Not like its pink with sparkles like the fairy princess over there. I haven’t lost my mind.” She stuck her tongue out. “Deal with it. The old Holly is back. Well… getting there anyway.”