The Thief V [BL]

- Zade Collins:

I held out my hand, almost hesitant. I didn't expect him to take it. But to my surprise, Blake looked up at me with this small, hesitant smile—the kind of smile I remembered from when we were kids—and slipped his hand into mine.

Warm. Familiar.

For a second, we just stood like that, holding hands silently, as if neither of us wanted to ruin the moment. His palm was smaller than mine, a little cold from the pool earlier, but it felt… right. Like maybe, just maybe, we hadn't drifted as far apart as I feared.

Without saying much, I guided him through the side path that led out to the big backyard. The morning air was fresh, sunlight slanting across the grass, glinting against the pool water that now felt like a cursed memory. As we walked, Blake stayed quiet beside me, letting me lead. It wasn't uncomfortable silence though. More like… cautious.

I kept glancing at him, unsure how to start, unsure what words were safe. But then I remembered why he was even here.

"I know I haven't really had the chance to… sit with you," I said softly, glancing down at where his hand still rested loosely in mine. "But I wanted to say… I'm sorry. About your mom."

His fingers tensed at that. He let go of my hand slowly, pulling his arms around himself like a shield.

"Your mom was a great person, Blake," I added carefully. "She always was. And I'm sure… I'm sure her fans miss her too."

No answer. Nothing.

He kept staring straight ahead, eyes unreadable. His silence wasn't cold. It wasn't angry either. It was worse. It was hollow.

I could tell the subject was too heavy, too close. So I swallowed, trying not to let the weight in my chest show, and changed the topic. "I, uh… I heard you were the top student at your school."

That, finally, earned me something. Blake's posture shifted slightly. His expression softened. His lips tugged upward into a shy, genuine smile.

"Yeah," he said softly, almost embarrassed. "I'll show you my degree when we get back to my room."

His voice held a hint of pride, and for the first time since yesterday, I felt a flicker of relief in my chest.

"I'd like that," I said, grinning without meaning to. "Seriously. I really want us to be best friends again. I know it has been years but we can always catch up on new things" He smiled at me, nodding.

Before I could add more, a strange hiss filled the air. Then—cold droplets splattered against my arms.

I froze.

Blake jerked back instinctively, gasping as water sprayed across his chest, his shoulders, soaking him down to his shoes in seconds. His expression twisted in confusion, then in shock. He looked down at himself, dripping, unable to understand what was happening.

And then I realized.

The sprinklers.

The automatic irrigation system had turned on.

"What the hell…?" I spun around frantically, my heart racing. Those sprinklers were never supposed to activate during the day. Only at night. That was the rule.

Then I heard it. Laughter. Not light laughter. Not playful. Mocking.

I whipped my head toward the sound, my gut already knotting. And there they were—standing on the far edge of the terrace.

My sister Chris.

And her personal idiot, Killian. Her boyfriend.

Chris stood there, leaning casually against the column, her arms crossed as she laughed so hard she had to catch her breath, her head tilting back in amusement. Beside her, Killian grinned ear to ear, nudging her like a child showing off to the teacher.

"Babe, babe," Killian chuckled, pointing like Blake was some zoo animal. "Look at him! Oh my god."

Chris snorted, wiping a tear from her eye. "This is priceless. Did you see his face?"

I turned back toward Blake. And my stomach sank. He wasn't saying anything. He wasn't moving.

He just stood there. Completely soaked. His hair plastered to his forehead. His clothes sticking to his body. His glasses fogged, dripping. He looked small. Helpless. Broken.

"Chris!" My voice cracked, anger choking me. "Turn the goddamn sprinklers off! Now!" She didn't even flinch. "Relax, Zade. It's just a joke."

"A joke?" I was already storming toward her. "Are you serious?" Killian shook his head, still laughing. "Come on, man. Let us have this. It's funny."

"It's not funny!" My voice boomed. "Chris, I'm not playing. Turn them off."

Instead of listening, Chris's lips curled into a smirk. "Why are you acting mad like this wasn't your idea?"

My heart stopped. "What?" My voice was low now. Flat. Dangerous.

Chris's grin widened, malicious and sweet all at once. "Don't act shocked. You're the one who told us to wait out here. You're the one who brought him."

I felt my throat tighten. I turned to Blake. And the look on his face broke something inside me. He believed her.

"Blake, no—" My voice cracked. But Blake's head dropped.

His voice, when it came, was so soft I barely heard it over the hiss of the sprinklers. "Just… laugh."

"What?"

"Go on," he whispered, shaking, eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Laugh at me too, Zade. What are you waiting for?"

I reached out instinctively. "Please—Blake, no. Don't believe her. I swear, I didn't—"

But he was already backing away. "I shouldn't have expected you to be different." And then he turned and ran. I watched him vanish into the house.

I stood there, paralyzed. The only sound was the hiss of the sprinklers and the distant roar in my ears as anger, guilt, and helplessness fought inside me.

"Zade?" Chris's voice, sugary and false, floated toward me. "Why are you so pissed? It's a joke. We always prank new people."

I said nothing. Chris stepped closer, draping her arm around my shoulder like nothing had happened. "Come on, big bro. Don't ruin the fun."

I shrugged her off roughly. Killian, oblivious as always, chuckled. "Right, brother-in-law? Just a joke."

I turned to him slowly. And punched him. My fist connected solidly with his jaw. The crunch was sickeningly satisfying.

Killian yelped as he toppled onto the wet grass, clutching his face, blood already streaming from his nose.

Chris shrieked. "Zade! What the hell?!" I didn't care.

Killian groaned, half-spitting blood, stunned. "Zade, what the fuck?!"

Chris shoved me hard, panic and fury in her voice. "You're insane! You hit him! What's wrong with you?!"

I wiped my knuckles, breathing heavily, then let my lips curl into a slow, dangerous smile.

"What?" I said calmly. "Why are you guys mad?"

Chris froze.

I crouched slightly, meeting Killian's panicked, glassy eyes as he tried to scramble backward.

"It's a joke," I whispered. "Nothing personal. Right?" Neither of them said a word. I stood up. And walked away.

Chris's voice cracked behind me, full of fury and disbelief. "Zade! You're insane! You're fucking insane!"

"Killian! Are you okay, babe?! Oh my god!"

I didn't turn back.

I couldn't.

All I saw was Blake's face.

All I heard was his broken voice.

I shouldn't have expected you to be different.