Chapter 137 You’re Her Brother, Not Her Enemy


    Den had seen it with his own eyes yesterday-Theresa sharing her supplies with the folks from Kl Camp like it was nothing. If Charlotte stuck with her, she would never have to worry about food again.


    And Theresa wasn’t just generous-she was powerful. Charlotte following her? That was nothing short of a


    stroke of luck.


    No matter how much it tore him up inside, Den knew he had to give her a real shot at something better.


    “Ms. Hall,” he called out, his voice firm with resolve, “I’ve only got one sister. I’m trusting her to you. Take care of her, and I swear, I’ll owe you for life.”


    He stepped on the brakes and pulled the truck to the side of the road.


    Seeing this, Theresa motioned for Kyle to slow their vehicle too.


    But once the trucks stopped, Charlotte dug her heels in-hard.


    “I’m not going! Den, let’s just go back!”


    “Don’t start with that nonsense. Don’t waste Ms. Hall’s time. Get out there!”


    “If you’re not going, I’m not going!” Charlotte clung to her seat like her life depended on it.


    Den felt a headacheing on. A golden opportunity was right in front of her, and she was acting like a stubborn mule. What if Theresa changed her mind?


    “You little brat! Do you think someone like her is gonna wait forever?” he snapped, yanking at her seatbelt.


    “I finally found someone who will take you in, and you’re gonna cling to me like a d*mn barnacle? I’m your brother, not your dad! You’ve been nothing but a burden!”


    “Den!”


    “Go on, get out! Quit dragging me down!”


    Charlotte’s lip trembled, but she bit down hard, eyes zing. “I’m not leaving! I don’t care what you say— I’m not going!”


    Den reached over and tried to pull her out by force. “You think I’m joking? Move it!”


    And then, a voice cut through the chaos from behind them. Calm. Sharp. Icy.


    “Pathetic.”


    Den spun around-and met Theresa’s eyes. Bright and piercing, they looked straight through him. No judgment. Just truth. The kind that burned.


    “It’s the apocalypse, man. Time to drop the act. You’re her brother, not her enemy. If you love her, show it. There’s no shame in caring.”


    As her wordsnded, a small paper fluttered down from her open window.


    “This is my camp’s radio frequency,” she said. “If you change your mind, call me. I can take up to 30 from your camp. No more.”


    Theresa wasn’t stupid-kind, maybe, but not reckless. She couldn’t afford to take just anyone.


    Den caught the slip of paper before it hit the ground.


    And just like that, Theresa’s truck rumbled back to life and pulled onto the road, disappearing fast into the


    horizon.


    Den sat there, gripping that scrap like it was made of gold. Beside him, Charlotte sat with her arms crossed, checks puffed in frustration as she stared out the window.


    Den slid the paper carefully into his jacket. Then, noticing her mood, he gave her arm a light nudge.


    “Alright, alright. She’s gone. You missed your shot.”


    “Hmph.”


    “I’ll stop yelling at you so much, okay?”


    She spun around and red at him. “You could just say you were sorry. Is that really so hard?”


    “I’m your brother! You trying to start a revolution here?”


    Charlotte’s eyes welled up. She looked ready to explode.


    This wasn’t new. He never apologized.


    Not once.


    Ever.


    She was about ready to jump out and stomp off down the road on her own when-


    He sighed. “Okay, okay. I was wrong. I’m sorry.”


    She blinked, caught off guard. Den was smiling-actually smiling-as he looked at her.


    “You’re smiling?!”


    With augh, he reached over and ruffled her hair roughly. “Before Dad passed, he told me to take care of you. And the truth is, I have no idea what I’m doing. If I had even half of Ms. Hall’s strength, I’d never send


    you away.”


    “Den…”


    “She was right, you know. I’m your brother, not your enemy. I won’t hurt you again. I’ll fix what I got wrong. Mom and Dad are gone; it’s just us now. We’ve gotta stick together. Just the two of us,e what


    may.”


    “Den…”


    “And look at this-my ugly little sister’s crying now. Didn’t you say you’d never cry again?”


    “Den!”


    “Alright, alright! My mistake again. You’re not ugly. You’re the prettiest girl in the world. The one and only Miss Charlotte, reigning queen of Spark Camp. Now dry those tears before you ruin your perfect face.”


    Charlotte sniffled, wiped her cheeks in a hurry, cheeks still red. “Do you really think I’m ugly?”


    “Ugly? Please. You just don’t dress up. Once I hit the strip in town, I’ll grab-ahem, borrow-some nice clothes for you. You’ll look like a goddess. Like Ms. Hall.”


    That finally got her tough. “You said you were gonna thank Ms. Hall properly, remember? Is that how you thank someone? One word?”


    “What are you getting at?”


    “Come on, admit it. You froze up, didn’t you? Got shy in front of Ms. Hall, huh? Wow, I didn’t think you were that kind of guy!”


    “Charlotte, I’m warning you! Don’t push it!” 1