Saving Stella Read Free Page A

I insulted him. I hope not, but his reaction to my
words was unmistakeable.
    Why couldn’t I just take a chance
and do something out of my comfort zone for once? Oh yea, because ever since
that night six years ago, I’m scared of my own damn shadow! Play it safe, be
invisible. Stay under the radar. Blend into the crowd. I’ve been doing just
fine in my little unassuming bubble.
    Sloan has tried to pull me out of
‘my funk’ as she calls it, but I see it more as a lifestyle change. I like
going unnoticed. There’s less danger that way. Sure it might be a bit lonely
sometimes, but that’s what I’ve got Fergus for. My little buddy. I won’t deny
that a little more human companionship wouldn’t go astray.
    Sloan keeps trying to get me to
go out with her, but I just can’t do it. It’s not for lack of wanting. I did
give it a go one time. It didn’t go so well. I ended up in the hospital after
having a massive panic attack. They had to sedate me. Not something I want to
go through again anytime soon, or ever for that matter.
    So now a fun night for me
consists of either reading a good book with a glass of wine or curling up on
the couch watching a movie with a huge bowl of buttery popcorn. Sloan comes
around at least once a week and has dinner with me, and Bianca comes around for
a girl’s night now and then. Apart from that, it’s me and Fergus against the
world. I miss Mumma.
    I wish I was more like Mumma and
Sloan. Sloan got Mumma’s tough streak. Me; not so much. I wasn’t always like
this. I did have a back bone once. I had confidence, even a little attitude.
But he stole it from me. If it wasn’t for Sloan, he would have stolen a lot
more.

 
    Sloan
    ‘Meet me at Freddie’s when you knock off. We gotta talk.’
    I slipped my phone back in my
pocket n lit up a cig while I walked up the street to Freddie’s. I wonder how
it went for Stella n Bray this arv. I don’t know what else to do to get her out
of her funk. Six long years she’s been like this. I want my sister back, damn
it!
    I found Bray in our usual booth
nursing a scotch n coke. He looked like he was thinking real hard about
something.
    “Sup Bray, how’d it go with Stell
this arv?”
    He looked a little pissed when he
glanced up at me.
    “Forget to mention something to
me Sloan?”
    “Nope, don’t believe I did. What
crawled up your ass?”
    “Are you serious right now?
Identical twin sister. Really? You didn’t think to tell me that?”
    “Well I assumed it would be
obvious when you met her, didn’t think I had to point it out.”
    “Yea well, a heads up would have
been nice. I made a complete ass out of myself!”
    He was fuming, and running his fingers
through his hair.
    “Geez, what are you so pissy
about?”
    Then it clicked!
    “You like her! You never get
pissy over chicks.”
    I couldn’t wipe the smile off my
face. He could try to deny it, but I knew him too well.
    “No, I’m just pissed ‘cause I
made an ass out of myself, I accused her of being you!”
    “What? We look nothing alike!”
    “Your frigin’ identical Sloan,
except for the hair, tats, piercings and clothes.”
    “Whatever, a blind man could tell
us apart Bray. Anyway, how’d it go? You’s hit it off?”
    “Well, kinda. I don’t know. I
asked her to come for drinks with me n she said no. Nobody’s ever turned me
down before.”
    “Aw poor Bray, not as irresistible
as you thought ha. Listen, Stell is a hard egg to crack. She’s been through,
stuff. It changed her. She never used to be like this, so mousy. She had spunk!
I want that girl back. Can you help me Bray?”
    “I don’t know Sloan.”
    He was rubbing his neck, a sure
sign he was at least thinking about it. I just had to give him a little push.
    “Please Bray. She needs me and I
can’t stand seeing her live like this anymore. I’ve been trying for six long
years to bring my sister back. Help me, please.”
    And cue the puppy dog eyes. I may
be a little rough around the edges, but I