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Brian wasted no time with small talk. “So, Mom called me today and said you’re moving home for your MBA at Georgetown. It was a shock to me as I don’t remember you mentioning that.”
I should’ve guessed she would’ve contacted him. “It was a bombshell to me, too. Luckily, she agreed to the internship for the summer, but she withdrew me from UCLA and enrolled me in a school within commuting distance from home.”
Sasha’s face showed shock, like a normal person’s would upon learning how controlling my mother could be, however to her credit she didn’t make any comments and only gulped her wine.
Brian wasn’t as astounded since he was all too aware of the lengths my mother would go to for control. “I’d pay for your school out in California, you know.”
It really said something when I had two people offering to do so. “Thank you, but the common denominator in trying to figure out what I want is realizing what I don’t. And that’s business school. Not that I’m ready to tell Mom yet, but obviously, I’ll have to eventually.”
“So you think this internship will help you decide if you have a career in music?”
“I hope so.” I’d already confided my anticipation for this position to him when I’d first applied.
“I’m only throwing this out there, but if music doesn’t work out, I can get you a job in the LA office with Gamble Advertising. You could do something in accounting with your degree.”
“That’s an option, and don’t take this the wrong way; I don’t think I can see myself behind a desk or wearing business clothes for a nine-to-five job.”
Brian laughed. “No offense taken. I have a hard time imagining you enjoying the world of finance too. You always seemed much more at home on the lacrosse field or playing your guitar.”
I gave him a small smile, thankful he got me. He always had. When Sasha went to the restroom after we ordered, he started on another line of questioning.
“So how was Vegas?” There was an underlying tension in his question.
“It was fun.” I took a sip of wine, studying him over the table. “You do know Colby was a perfect gentleman, don’t you?”
“I would expect nothing less. Otherwise, I’d kick his ass, and that would be after Josh did it. I didn’t worry about how he was with you; it was more what he did around you.”
It annoyed me that Colby was getting an unfair rap. “We gambled, ate great food, and then I lay by the pool while he worked. I wouldn’t say this in front of Sasha, and I’m not telling you to make you feel guilty, but he took a really shitty day after Mom’s ultimatum during my party and turned it into a really great weekend.”
“I knew I shouldn’t have left the party.”
“Yes you should have, but I wish you would’ve told me the real reason why.”
He sighed. “Everything is good now, but I didn’t want to concern you with unnecessary drama.”
Right. Because I was the little sister. “You know I wouldn’t have seen it as a burden to be there for you for a change. And if it helped ensure you and Sasha are good now, then I’m glad you did go.”
His face softened. “I appreciate it. Look I’m sorry for jumping all over you about Vegas.”
“It’s not me who you should probably apologize to.”
“It’s different between guys. Colby understands that I’m a protective big brother. Anyhow, do you want me to talk to Mom about school? She’s being unreasonable, and I hate the thought of you having to wrestle with this decision. I feel like I should be doing more for you.”
Funny how only a couple days ago I would’ve jumped at his offer, but maybe it was the internship that had me feeling confident about things working out for my future. “Brother, dear, I hate to break this to you, but I’m a big girl now. Not one with a plan at the moment, but definitely one who doesn’t need you to put me first all of the time. You have your own life. And from the looks of it, a very good one with someone I happen to really like.”
Perhaps it was for the best he hadn’t stepped in for me at my party. How many times had I relied on him over the years, having him drop everything for me?
“I know you are. Just as I know you’ll figure it out. It may or may not be this internship which does it; however at the end of the summer, I’ll be supportive of whatever you decide to do. And if you need financial assistance, I’m there, too.”
“I appreciate that.” And the thing was I did. But for the first time, I wasn’t looking for him to fix it or tell me what to do. I was simply asking for him to be supportive. It kind of felt like something a grown-up might do.
* * *
When I arrived backat Josh’s building, Colby stood leaned against the frame of his brother’s front door, waiting for me to come off the elevator. “You cut your hair.”
Not exactly a compliment, although he’d definitely noticed. “Yes, I did.”
“You’re home early. I wasn’t sure if you had plans tonight.”
