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“You didn’t accept?” he asks.
“I did. But…”
“But?”
“I… uh… I deferred for a year. We think…” I hesitate, looking down to K when she wraps her arm around my waist. “We think we’ll probably go for longer than just the summer.”
“What?” Cole asks, his disappointment written all over his face.
“We need this. We need the time after…” I trail off, not wanting to go there. All of it is still too raw to really talk about, too painful.
“Well, I think you’re doing the right thing,” Remi announces, stepping forward to give me a hug. “You’ve got to think about the two of you above all else.”
“Thanks, Princess.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll keep them in line.”
I can’t help but bark a laugh at her words. I’d really like to see her try.
Ace steps up beside her. “We’ll miss you both, bro.” A lump forms in my throat as I stare at my big brother’s concerned eyes. “But I get it. You do you. We’ll be here when you get back.”
He engulfs me into a hug, and we slap each other’s backs a few times before he pulls back and allows Cole and Hadley to have their turn.
“You’re not joking, are you?” Cole confirms.
“No.”
“Fuck.” He runs a hand over his jaw, his eyes clouding with emotion.
“I’m sorry, we just—”
“Don’t. There’s no need to apologize, bro. I’m just gutted we’re not going to do this together.”
“We’ll be there. Just a little later than planned.”
“Fuck,” Cole barks again, roughly pulling me into his arms and holding me so tight I can barely breathe.
I catch sight of Hadley over his shoulder, watching the two of us with tears cascading down her cheeks.
Lifting my arm, I beckon her over, pulling her into our embrace. “We’ll be back before you know it,” I force past the giant lump in my throat. “And you know the invitation is always open.”
Cole nods against me, but he doesn’t say anything.
It takes a lot to rattle my brother, so the fact that he’s struggling right now damn near rips me in two.
Kenny’s hand slips around my back and she joins our group hug.
“I love you guys so much,” I blurt.
“We love you too, Con.” Hadley’s voice trembles with emotion.
Cole sucks in a deep breath before he takes a step back. He glances up at me for a beat, his eyes full of unshed tears. “You should get going,” he says with a nod before spinning on his heels and marching for the house.
I take a step to follow him, but Kenny squeezes my hand and Hadley presses her palm to my chest.
“He’ll be okay, Conner. It’s just a shock.”
“But—”
