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“I am being serious,” I say.
But he’s determined to be moody about this.
Of course he doesn’t think I can take care of myself. Maybe I’ll always be Sweet Baby Bee in his eyes.
“It doesn’t have to be permanent. If it doesn’t work out, we can sell, or I’ll move out and Sebastian can rent my room.”
“Just, don’t screw him around, okay? He’s a good guy.”
And there’s my reminder. Even if, in some distant, alternate universe, I actually had a chance with Sebastian, Aiden would never approve.
It’s a little insulting that it’s notmyhonor he’s defending, but I guess I get it. I don’t know how long I’ll be home for. I barely planned to come back in the first place, and while I would never leave Sebastian high and dry, buying this house was his dream, not mine.
“I won’t,” I promise. But I still make sure to slam the door just right when I slip into the passenger seat.
He’s uncharacteristically quiet as he starts the car.
I open the window, letting the breeze in. “Thanks for looking after this while I was away.”
Mom cleared out my room in the move, and I gotta tell you, I panicked. There’s nothing like the possibility of your sixty-six-year-old mother finding the boy band fanficyou wrote when you were twelve to get your blood pumping.
Thankfully, Aiden offered to keep it all safe—and most importantly, sealed—in his storage unit.
He flexes his grip on the wheel. “When you said you were back for a while, I wasn’t expecting this.”
Why would he?
As far as anyone knows, the most spontaneous thing I’ve ever done is pack my bags and move states five years ago.
But sitting in that bank, Sebastian looked more frazzled than I’d ever seen him. I couldn’t bear to see it, to be honest. Being the one to save his dream, while maybe getting what I wanted in return? It seemed like a no-brainer at the time.
“I know it wasn’t planned, but I don’t regret helping Sebastian get the house.”
I should tell him about why I’m back. There’s a tug-of-war inside me. Ask for help, but don’t. Be honest, but don’t.
It took us most of our lives to be friends, and I don’t want that to change.
Even after years of friendship with Aiden, he’s still my older brother. He’s never stopped wanting to be the protector, the problem solver, the pseudo-parent. It’s sweet, even when it’s annoying.
“I know I’ve said this already, but it’s good to have you home. I missed having you around. Sebastian doesn’t laugh at my jokes anymore.”
He’s so ridiculous. I’ve really missed him.
“It’s probably because you were never funny.”
He laughs and I’m filled with relief. We’ll be okay. At the next red, he changes the station, changing his mind until the chatter finally gives way to a song. Aiden has got to be the last person on earth still listening to the radio for music. I’d asked him once, and he told me that he liked being surprised.
My brother in a nutshell, really.
He’s always been like that. Racing into the unknown, excited to discover. I couldn’t imagine anything more terrifying. When I take a risk—and I’m proud to say I’ve takensome, the house included—it has to be followed by long stretches of nesting firmly in my comfort zone.
“Seriously, though,” he says with a genuine smile. “Now that you’re home, I want to hang out more. And you know if you ever need to talk about what’s going on with you, you can tell me.”
I swallow past the lump in my throat. If only it were that easy. “You worry too much. I’m fine.”
“I told you; it’s my job to worry.”
I wish he wouldn’t. To Sebastian, I’m probably nothing more than a tenant. Why would it be a big deal? I’m justBee, the baby sister of his best friend. As long as I don’t play loud music or blow up the kitchen, he won’t even notice I’m there.
