“Wes, that’s awesome. I’m glad you and Breck are getting this time together after so many years apart.”
“How are you, baby sister?” I pry. “How’s work been? Gearing up for winter already from what I saw on Instagram this week.”
“Work’s fine, I guess. Posting snowy pictures just doesn’t feel right in September, but I guess that’s life when you work for a ski resort.” She shrugs sounding resigned. “But…” She stretches the word and her turquoise blue eyes brighten. “Jamie and I did a photoshoot together last week. It was an elopement actually. He was the officiant for some friends of his, and I did the pictures. It was so amazing.”
There’s an excitement laced in her words now, a stark contrast to the indifference of her tone when she was talking about work. Maybe it’s time for a change for her too. “I’ll send you a couple of the proofs. We’re even talking about doing more of them. Just as a side hustle—for fun.” Her face is alight with joy at the prospect. It’s always been obvious to me where her passions lay, and it’s not in content creation for our hometown ski resort. Seeing her with a camera in her hand was all I ever needed to know she was meant to be a photographer.
“That’s incredible, Rory. Really, I can’t wait to see the photos.” I let all the pride I have for her permeate every word. I know she doesn’t get that praise from our parents.
“Hey, I was thinking that maybe I could come for a visit in the spring. Are you still planning to be there for a year?”
Her question hits home, and I’m not sure what to say. After everything that was revealed today, everything going on with Joss, I can’t imagine leaving her.
“Earth to Wes? Where’d you go there, brother?” Her voice snaps me back, and I try to smile.
“Yeah, sorry. Yes, I’ll be here for at least the year. Maybe longer, I’m not sure yet.”
I can’t make eye contact with her. Even with the screen and thousands of miles between us, she’s too good at reading me, and I don’t know if I’m ready to tell her about what I’m feeling for Joss yet.
“Longer? How much longer?” Her voice pitches higher with each question. It’s not like her to spool up over stuff, so I know I’ve hit a nerve.
“Roars, nothing is set in stone here. I just know that at this point, I’m really happy with what I’m doing and I’m not ready to come home.”
“Yet, right? You’re not ready to come homeyet?”
My eyes shift away. If what I have with Joss is the real deal like I hope it is, I don’t know what that will mean for where I’ll end up long-term.
“Wes?!” she yells through the phone.
“Look, Rory, I don’t know, okay?” I shout back, and then feel an immediate pang of regret. When I finally make eye contact with her, she looks shocked and sad. Shit, are those tears in her eyes?
“Fuck. Rory, I’m sorry. It’s just…” My head falls back. I’m going to have to tell her. Maybe it’ll do me some good to get someone else’s opinion on this anyway. “I’ve met someone, Roars. I think she might be it for me.”
Her eyes are wide when I lift my head.
“I think I’m in love with her,” I add, because why not.
More silence, and then she swallows and lets out a low whistle. “It’s your neighbor, right? Joss?”
“How did you know that?” I snap forward, getting closer to the phone like it will actually bring me closer to my sister who, I’m realizing, I need right now.
“Wes, I know you. You talk about Joss even more than Breck anytime I ask what you’ve been up to. She’s the main character in most of the stories I read in your emails. I’m not stupid, I’m just surprised. You’ve always been sort of a date ’em and skate kind of guy. I don’t mean that in a bad way, you’ve just never been interested in anything serious. Even with Brenna…” She stops short and gives me an apologetic look. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to bring her up.”
“It’s okay. She’s not someone I worry about anymore.”
“That’s good to hear at least.” She sighs. “Wes, I just want you to be happy. But I wish you could be happy here. I miss you. All the time.” Her face falls. I wish I could reach through the phone and give her a hug.
“I miss you too, Rory. You know I do, and you know I love Tahoe. It’s just…” I exhale, trying to get my thoughts in order. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone. I wish I could have both, but I don’t think I can.”
She takes in a shaky breath, clearly trying to keep it together. God, I hate causing her pain. But then she looks up and smiles.
“Have you told her? How you feel, I mean?”
I rub my hand along the back of my neck, avoiding eye contact as I voice my greatest fear to her. “We’ve only justkind ofmoved out of the friend zone. I don’t want to scare her off by being too much too soon. I don’t know if she wants this.”
“Wes”—her gentle use of my name draws my gaze—“you’re a larger-than-life guy. Youneverhold back. Don’t start now. This may be the first time you’ve truly fallen in love, but I’ve seen how you love your family and your friends. How could she not want that? How could she not want you?”
Damn. Now I’m the one having to squeeze my eyes shut against the tears threatening to spill over. I had no idea I needed to hear this.
