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I snatched a bite of her hash browns and shoved them in my mouth. “Sure, you will. We all find what we’re good at eventually.”
“Easy for you to say.” She fiddled with the fork and then chewed on her bottom lip. “You’re already great at running and track. I’ve got nothing and no one.”
The hash browns seemed to lose their taste as I watched Charlotte stuff another piece of waffle in her mouth, a sad glint in her eyes. If what Trina had said was right, Charlotte was mourning a lot more than the fact that she wasn’t cut out for Top Chef. I’d already offered to help my parents out with the restaurant today, but maybe I could solve two problems for them in one day.
“Hey, Sis, can I ask you a question?” I pressed my lips firmly together and waited for her to answer.
She glanced up at me with a noncommittal expression. “Sure.”
“How are you doing in the friends category?”
Her demeanor changed from wilting flower to stiff and suspicious. “I don’t know. Fine, I guess. Why? Is this about Sarah, again?”
“No.” I grimaced and tightened my pony tail. “And yes. I mean, since Hunter moved away, have you been able to find some new friends at school?”
Grief flashed in her eyes so quickly I nearly missed it. It was replaced by a cool, unengaged frown as she leaned back in her booth. “Duh. I’m not a loser. I’ve got friends.”
“I know you’re not a loser.” I swallowed to keep the frustration out of my voice. Why was everything a battle with her? I was just trying to help. “I want to make sure you’re doing okay. I love you and I want the world for you, baby sis.”
Her chin quivered as uncertainty washed over her face. She grabbed the paper napkin from beside her plate and crushed it into a ball. Her eyes darted across the diner to where Mom and Dad stood together bent over a stack of papers, which probably included resumes for their next manager. I noticed Charlotte’s eyes pause longer on Mom, the tell-tale sign of worry appearing in the hard lines around her mouth. I knew that she worried about Mom, too. We both did.
“I’m fine, really,” she said, bringing her gaze back to mine. “I’ve been hanging out with some new kids. Sarah introduced me to a couple girls from the cheerleading team.”
I made a face and she rolled her eyes.
“They’re not all bad, I swear. I just need to find my person. It’s not easy finding a new best friend, you know?”
I could understand that. Replacing Audrey and Trina would’ve been impossible. They were the only ones who kept me sane during this entire injury business. Without them, I’d be as lost as Charlotte.
“I get it,” I told her, spreading my hands flat on the table in front of me. “I really do. I want you to find your person as soon as possible. I want you to be happy.”
She pulled her lips back from her teeth in a hopeful expression and her eyes widened. “Does that mean I can go to a party with Sarah next Saturday without you going all postal on me? It’s at Savannah’s house and it’s super exclusive. If I miss this, I’ll never make any new friends.”
Groaning, I buried my head in my hands. The last thing I wanted to do was encourage a friendship with Sarah, but chaining my little sister to her bedroom probably wasn’t the best way to help her make friends. Plus, I’d officially decided to take this crisis on to help my parents. There was only one thing I could do and I was officially going to hate it.
“Fine, you can go.” I held up my finger as she squeaked with excitement. “But I have two conditions.”
“Shoot,” she said, bouncing on the bench.
“One: you get all of your overdue math homework turned in this week.”
She nodded until I was afraid her head was going to pop off. “Done.”
“And two: I get to drop you off and pick you up from the party.”
It might not have been ideal, but at least I would know that my sister was safe. I’d been to Savannah’s parties before. They didn’t typically get too crazy, but I didn’t trust that Sarah. This was the best solution.
Charlotte slumped in her booth, her eyebrows pulled low over her eyes in a grumpy expression. “Are you serious? I don’t need a babysitter.”
“Maybe not.” I shrugged as I slid out of the booth. “But that’s your only option. Take it or leave it.”
It only took me two steps toward the kitchen for Charlotte to release a heavy sigh behind me. “Fine. It’s a deal.”
I didn’t let her see my victorious smile.
Everything was starting to feel under my control again. Only two weeks left of this boot. I’d be back on the track. My sister would find the friends she needed.
And I would officially be done with everything baseball-related.
