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“The same artist who did the ship on the plaque over our garage.”
“It’s awesome.”
“The only thing that sucks about it is that I can’t take it with me next year.”
Ah, yes, next year. The painful reminder settled in my chest. “The only thing I wish I could take with me from home is Ethan. If I could pack him up in my bags, I would.”
Carson was silent for so long, I glanced at him to make sure he was still breathing. Unfortunately, he was.
“Right. Because my little brother’s so amazing,” he muttered, and I detected something bitter in his tone.
“Jealous much?”
His cheeks flushed, and I wondered if it was from embarrassment or anger. “You guys spend a lot of time together is all.”
“He’s my best friend.”
Carson shook his head and moved to his bed, where he flopped down, then threaded his hands behind his neck. “Which is weird.”
“How is that weird?” First my father and now him.
Carson shrugged. “I don’t know. It just is. You’re the only girl I know who’s that close to a guy she’s not interested in dating.”
His eyes drifted to mine, then away again.
“I suppose you got a free ride to some amazing school,” I said, changing the subject.
“Swimming is my ticket.”
“Your ticket?” I asked.
“Out of Sweet Water. Maybe to the Olympics,” he added. “One can dream. You and Ethan have the grades. I have swimming.”
“The next Michael Phelps.”
Carson scoffed. “If only…”
It really wasn’t far off. I could totally see a load of gold medals decorating his neck one day. Of course, I didn’t say that. No need to inflate his ego to mega proportions.
I sauntered over to the chair at his desk and took a seat. “When did you get an offer?” I asked.
“Offers,” he clarified. “Last year. It’s official now though.”
“Where to? Please tell me it’s in another country.” I needed to calculate the distance from Durham to wherever he’d be. If he said it was on the West Coast, I would cry tears of joy.
“Duke.”
The blood drained from my face.
No, he was kidding. He heard my conversation with Ethan, and he was teasing me. Surely…
I blinked at him for a moment, waiting for him to crack a smile, to laugh—something. But he didn’t. He was serious. As I looked closer, I noted the hint of excitement in his eyes, the anticipation, the pride.
Oh my gosh…
“What about you? Where are you going?” he asked, and I wanted to sob.
Wherever will accept me, I wanted to say, but I stopped myself. I sighed and tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. “I’m not sure yet. I applied for early admission to a handful of places but haven’t heard back. I should know something soon.”
