Chapter Text
Buck hadn’t spoken to anyone since the day he filed the lawsuit.
Seven full days had passed since he opened the case, and five days since the others had found out.
He only knew that because of the phone call he’d had with Maddie.
“This was the wrong thing to do, Evan. The lawsuit has gone too far.”
“This case is everything to me, Maddie.”
“I know, Evan, but couldn’t you have been patient?”
A silence settled between them.
“Howie is involved too, and you know I’m with him. It’s better if we don’t talk until the lawsuit is over.”
Buck opened his mouth to explain himself, but the line went dead before he could say a word.
She’d left again.
He’d been left again.
With those thoughts swirling in his head, he pushed himself out of bed and went to the kitchen to make breakfast. He prepared something simple and was about to eat when his phone rang, stopping him in place.
Who would even be calling him?
When he picked up the phone and saw the name on the screen, he paused—then smiled. She was the only person he’d spoken to during this time.
“Yeah?”
For a moment, he listened to the static mixed with distant voices in the background before she finally spoke.
“I hope you’ll let me stay with you until my things arrive, Evan. I don’t want to stay at a hotel.”
Buck froze.
“What?!”
He shot up from the chair.
“What is this about, Emy? You live in France.”
“No, I don’t anymore. Evan, I haven’t wanted to be there for a long time. I just wanted my family. And now I’m going to stay with them.”
Those words sank straight into Buck’s chest, stealing his voice.
“Where are you?”
“I’m at the airport. Waiting for my luggage.”
“I’m coming.”
“I know,” she said softly. “You always do.”
As soon as she said it, Buck rushed upstairs to change, then grabbed his keys and ran out of the house just as quickly.
For the first time in a long while, he didn’t feel alone. Because his twin sister was finally with him.