“Which time?”
“The first time. You were like six. Dad was supposed to teach you but he had some conference, so I tried instead.”
“I remember. You gave me your favorite Batman band-aid.” We both grin at each other before he exhales sharply, shaking his head. “I get it, Tar. I think I should have told you. You deserved to know. I just... I didn’t know how.”
Something in my chest cracks. Because he was just a kid too, wasn’t he? A kid trying to protect his little sister the only way he knew how.
“I get why you did it,” I say finally. “But I’m not thatlittle girl anymore, Troy. I can handle hard truths. I can make my own choices.”
His eyes flick up, watching me carefully.
“Like Alfie?”
I meet his gaze head-on. “Like everything.”
For a second, I think he’s going to argue. But then he exhales, running a hand through his hair.
“You know,” he says, “it’s kinda funny.”
I raise an eyebrow. “What?”
“You’re standing here, all righteous and furious that I hid things from you. But you did the same damn thing, Tara.”
I freeze.
Troy shakes his head. “You hid Alfie. For months. And don’t even try to tell me it wasn’t because you were scared of what I’d say. I know it’s not the same. But maybe we’re not so different, not wanting to upset our sibling.”
My stomach plummets.
Because he’s right.
I open my mouth to argue, but the words don’t come.
I hid Alfie from Troy.
Because I was afraid of how he’d react. Afraid of what it might change between us.
And isn’t that exactly what Troy did with Dad?
Isn’t that exactly what I was so mad about?
Troy sighs. “Look, I get it. I’m not exactly subtle when it comes to my opinions.”
“That’s an understatement.”
“But you still should’ve told me,” he says, voice softer now. “Because we can’t do this anymore, Tar. We can’t keep protecting each other from things that hurt.That’s not our job. That’s never been our job.”
The words settle between us, heavy and true.
And I nod.
“Okay,” I say, and it’s the easiest, hardest promise I’ve ever made. “No more protecting each other.”
Troy holds out his hand, and I grip it tight.
Like a truce. Like a new beginning.
“Hey Troy?”
