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“Oh, I didn’t know.”
“Why would you?”
“I go to college with Scottie’s older brother Mason.”
“I see.”
“That isn’t going to be a problem, is it?”
“Of course not. You’re not the first student from LU we’ve had here.”
“Oh, okay.” I was about to tell her how much I’d enjoyed the session when I heard my name.
“Harper. I want to say goodbye to Harper.” Scottie refused to budge when one of the other volunteers tried to sign him out.
“Buddy, let’s not make a scene,” Mason said as I approached them. “I’m sure Harper has other things—”
“Hey, Scottie. What’s up?” I said, joining them.
“I wanted to say goodbye and give you a cookie.”
“That’s really sweet of you, but you worked hard on them, so you take them home to share with your mom and Mason, okay?”
“But I want you to have one.”
“I—” I glanced at Mason, silently asking for some help, but he said nothing.
“You should have one. You helped bake them. It’s only fair, and Mom said I need to try and share more.”
“Just take the damn cookie,” Mason murmured.
I looked at him incredulously. He knew I couldn’t eat it. But I couldn’t exactly tell Scottie no now.
“I’ll take one for the ride home. How about that?” I said, hoping it would appease him. Scottie flipped the lid and offered me the container. “Thanks.” I took a small one. “I’ll see you next week, okay?”
Scottie didn’t seem appeased though, fidgeting with his container, rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet, clearly agitated.
“Scottie?”
“I’m sorry I told you my name was Sam,” he mumbled, refusing to meet my gaze.
“That’s okay. I know your real name now, so it’s all good.”
“You’re sure?”
“I am.” I smiled. “Now you should probably go. Mason is waiting.”
“He’s staying the night with me.” He finally looked at me, and I saw the flicker of love and adoration for his big brother in his expression. “You could come over and—”
“Harper has to get back to Lakeshore, bud,” Mason jumped in.
“Another time, then?”
I looked to Mason for an out. I didn’t want to lie to Scottie. I knew how literally he could take things. He might never let me off the hook if I told him yes. But I couldn’t exactly tell him the truth either.
“Mason’s right,” I said. “I need to get back to Lakeshore. But I’ll see you next week.”
“Scottie, we need to go now.” Mason laid a gentle hand on his brother’s shoulder.
