Page 65 of My Family

“No, ma’am,” I say, even though she’s asked me a hundred times to stop calling her that. Old habit. “He’s at Aspire because of the drugs.”

“Then Aspire could approve him for treatment here. I’m certain it’s a more appropriate environment than what he has there.”

My heart is hammering. “That would mean everything to me.”

She smiles, energized. “Then it’s settled. I’ll talk to Griff about this, offer him the spot, and see about the possibility of the transfer. You think it would help?”

“More than I can say,” I say, and I’m actually trembling slightly. I don’t usually allow myself to hope about things. I think of hope as a kind of weakness. But I can’t stop it right now. I’ve even gotten goosebumps. This has to work.

“I’ll talk to him today, then. It doesn’t look like your brother has much time to wait.”

“Thank you. I don’t even know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything, honey. Just go do your work and pay attention, okay? Your little brother’s going to be fine.”

The shift runs seven to seven. When I get back to the Academy, it’s already dinnertime, but I don’t go to the cafeteria.

I’m almost through the entrance when one of the guards steps forward. Not the usual wave-through.

“Farley. Griff’s office.”

My stomach does a flip. It’s worse than being on a roller coaster.

I go straight to his office. MMA has just ended. I’m feeling a little sick. I’ve spent the whole day trying not to think about Tyler, because otherwise I can’t function. But now, standing in front of Griff, who gets up when I walk in, all of that resolve evaporates.

He looks at me the way he always does, serious and steady, and says, “We got the spot for Tyler. I called his probation officer today. He said there was no problem on his end if Aspire approved the transfer, and I approved it. We’re moving him now. You can go too, if you want. Stay with him for the first few days, help him get settled while he’s there.”

“Seriously?” I say, not quite able to believe it. Good things don’t happen this easily.

“It’ll be good for him to have you close in the beginning. And I know you two don’t have anyone else right now.”

I’m speechless again. But he keeps going. We have to move fast.

“Go pack some clothes and whatever you need. You can work during the day and stay with him at night. Don’t take too long.”

“Yes, sir,” is all I manage.

I run to the room.

Part of me hopes Liam won’t be there. The other part hopes he will, so I can say goodbye.

He’s there.

When he sees me, he breaks into that enormous smile that always squeezes something in my chest, but it falls almost immediately because he can tell something is off.

“What is it?” he asks.

“Baby, I’ll explain properly later. But right now I have to go. Tyler got a spot at the hospital where I work. He’s going to be admitted there. I’m going to stay with him for a few days to help him.”

He doesn’t say anything. Just looks at me and nods.

He’s so good. He’d never make a scene, not when it’s about my brother’s health.

But I know it’s hard for him. It’s hard for me too.

I don’t know when I’m going to see those blue eyes again.

Chapter 25. Ethan