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Even now, he can’t stop himself.
He sets the box on the pile, elbowing a couple of clothes hangers out of the way. Now that his hands are free, he takes back the coffee I brought him.
“I mean it,” I sigh. “You know I appreciate it, but you don’t need to keep looking out for me. I can take care of myself. I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time.”
“Yeah, but it was my job first.”
I sip my subpar chai. The milk is over-steamed, and I’m pretty sure the tea is stale, but it’s as much of a reminder that I’m home as Aiden’s protectiveness.
He leans against his car and crosses his arms before taking a careful sip. “I know you didn’t want a car while you were living in the big city, but don’t you think if you’re settling down, you’ll want your own set of wheels?”
“Don’t be a snob. Some of us have houses to pay for.”
His smile drops, the universal sign of my doom.
“Bee, what are you doing?”
My heart falls to my feet. I stare at my pink Converse while I pretend to not hear how serious he is. “What do you mean?”
I spent years striving to meet the bar he set, at least for our parents, and every “great work, sis” he threw my way was cherished.
Letting him down now would be heartbreaking.
“This. The house. Sebastian.”
Of course he thinks this is ridiculous. “A few weeks ago, you told me to trust my instincts.”
“And you said you weren’t sure how long you were going to be home for.”
“I don’t.” That, at least, is the truth.
“But then why would you buy a house?”
“Half a house,” I clarify. “And it’s not really mine. I did it to help Sebastian.”
“Bee,” Aiden starts. Damn, the whole older brother thing is too much. “You know if you need anything, I’m here. You only need to ask.”
Pure Aiden. Happy-go-lucky, ready to lend a hand. When our parents moved to the coast to be closer to Nana and Grandpa, Aiden and I clung on to each other like mutual barnacles, or whatever those little fish are that follow whales around. Minnows? Sebastian would probably know. He loves nature documentaries.
I recite my tagline. “I’m fine.”
“You know it’s okay if you’re not.”
I’m not so sure.
“I already spent an hour on the phone with Mom and Dad, convincing them how okay I am. Nothing’s changed in the last six hours.”
He snorts. “Ever since they moved closer to Nana, they’ve been relentless. Did they bring up Christmas?”
“Yep. The guilt trip has started early this year.”
“At least they’re consistent.”
Another silence settles, and I know more is coming.
“Bee, this is serious for Seb. He’s been dreaming of this for years.”
Baby Bee, always too young to know what she’s doing. I wish he’d trust me. I’m a grown adult now. The last five years proved that I could take care of myself plenty.
