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“Well, you sure as hell didn’t, seeing as you’ve been ignoring my calls ever since you got there.”
“I was mad at you,” I say like it’s a good enough reason when in reality, I miss Teagan. He’s my best friend; we have a special bond no one can usurp, not even him and his sneaky secrets.
“Come on, Brynn. You know how signing day works just like I do. There was always a chance Jace would choose another school,” he says, referring to the day high school athletes sign contracts to play and attend their prospective colleges. “And I would have driven you, too, if I could’ve.”
“I know,” I admit begrudgingly. And with our father being one of the most sought-after wedding photographers and our mother running her own catering company, it’s a miracle if they have a weekend free come April. I was lucky Mom could drive me at all.
“Besides, is it really that bad having Jace there?”
“Do you want me to answer that?”
Teagan chuckles. “He’s notthatbad. I remember a time when you didn’t fight so much.”
I scoff. “My memory doesn’t go back that far,” I lie.
Because I do remember.
I remember running around our yard in the summer and jumping through the sprinkler. I remember bike rides to Boyd Park, and ice cream on the Ferris wheel at the summer carnival. Movie nights on the weekends with popcorn and candy, Teagen between us.
“Who knows? Maybe you two can finally find a way to bury the hatchet and actually become friends after all is said and done.”
“Ha! Unlikely.”
“Tell me about the other girls you’ve been hanging with. Jace mentioned you made a couple friends.”
“What is he, a freaking spy?”
“I asked him—”
“To watch out for me. Yeah, yeah,” I say, more than a little annoyed Jace has been calling Teagan and updating him onmylife. “I’ve been hanging out with the girls across the hall, Charlotte, and her roommate, Samantha. They’re pretty cool. They’re talking about pledging a sorority in the fall.” I wrinkle my nose. I still haven’t decided if it’s the route I want to go, but it might be kind of cool to have a built-in sisterhood. “I guess Char’s older sister was in one, when she was here a few years ago, so I’m considering it. We’ll see.”
“That’s great, Brynn,” he says with a warmth in his voice that makes my throat constrict. “I’m proud of you.”
“For what?” I croak.
“For putting yourself out there. For being so fearless, when we both know you could’ve gone away to school and hidden inside yourself like you did in high school. I’m glad to see you coming out of your shell. It’s a relief to see you living again.”
“It’s nothing.”
“Don’t downplay it. You’re pretty amazing, sis.”
“Yeah, well,” I say my voice thick, “it took almost three years to stop blaming myself for what happened and feeling like I had a target on my back. So, it’s about time.”
“Nah. All good things come in their own time, Brynn. You took the time you needed. Now I just want you to be happy.”
I swallow, wiping at the moisture in my eyes. When it comes down to it, I can’t blame Teagan for worrying about me. I wouldfeel the same. But why does he have to go and make me all emotional?
“Thanks, T. That means a lot. Honestly, I’m not sure I’d be the same if it wasn’t for you.”
“Aw, come on now. You’re as strong as they come. Brynn Nichols is made of steel but has a heart of gold. You can do anything, but I’ll always be here if you need me.”
“Cheeseball,” I say, smiling, ridiculously glad I called. Part of me needed the reminder. “Well, I’d better let you go. Talk to you later?”
“Yep. Call me.”
I hang up, then stare out at the mostly empty courtyard, feeling slightly lighter than I had before I spoke with him. It’s like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. Last night was disappointing, to say the least. I may not know Stanley all that well, but all the conversations we’ve had this week before and after class have been really great. We seem to have a lot in common. Both of us come from small towns in Ohio with multiple siblings, and share a lot of the same interests in movies and music. Plus, he makes me smile.
That’s a start, right?
