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Four years ago
“So, she finally did it, huh?” I ask, leaning back in my chair as my gaze goes to my brother. “I have to admit, I didn’t think there was a chance in hell you’d get her to move here,” I say, referring to my brother’s best friend Elara. AKA: the girl he’s been secretly in love with for nearly three years now.
“I wish I could take the credit.” Kam leans forward, placing his elbows on his knees, his favorite Dodgers hat pulled low over his eyes. “With everything that’s gone down with her this year I think she needs to get away. Start fresh somewhere.”
“You’re kidding yourself if you think her coming here has nothing to do with you.” I smirk, not quite sure how my younger brother can be so dense sometimes.
“She needs a friend right now, so yeah, maybe it has a little to do with me. But her Aunt Carol is here. And she’s her mom’s only sibling. I have no doubt she needs that connection to her mom right now. Shit, man, can you imagine if something like that happened to our mom? Having to stand by and watch her die a little bit more every single day. Makes me sick even thinking about it.”
“Yeah, I’d rather not think about it,” I admit, shaking off the thought. “Regardless, I think it’s good that she’s coming here. I’m sick of you moping around like a lost puppy every time she leaves.”
“You’re never here. How do you know if I mope?”
He leans back in the rocking chair, the porch boards creaking as he does.
“Mom,” we both say in unison.
“So when do I finally get to meet this girl?”
“Elara,” Kam interjects.
“Elara,” I repeat the name I’ve heard more times than I care to admit. Elara is all Kam talks about. Ever.
“She’s supposed to get here the day before my graduation party. You’ll probably meet her there. And you better be nice to her.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” I quirk a brow at him.
“Exactly what it sounds like. Don’t be an asshole.”
“I’m never an asshole,” I object.
“Dude, you’re always an asshole.” He chuckles, shaking his head at me.
“I’m trying really hard to not get offended right now but you’re making that kind of difficult.”
“I’m just saying to go easy on her, okay? She’s important.” He stands, crossing to the railing that wraps around the large front porch of our parents’ house.
“You think I don’t know that?” I push to a stand, stepping up next him. “So is this the year you’re finally gonna make your move on her?” I nudge him with my elbow.
“It’s not like that,” he objects.
“You sure about that?” I question, turning to rest my lower back against the porch railing so that I’m facing the house while he’s facing the yard.
“She’s my best friend.”
“Your best friend that you’ve been in love with for three years,” I state matter of fact.
“I love her. I’m not in love with her. There’s a difference.”
“Who are you trying to convince, Kam?”
“What the hell do you know anyway? You’ve been living in Illinois the past three years. You come home for a quick visit and you already think you’ve got me all figured out?”
“Whoa, calm down.” I hold my hands up in front of myself in surrender.
“Sorry.” He lets out a slow breath, adjusting his hat. “I’m nervous about having her here full time,” he admits after a long moment.
“Why’s that?”
