Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 104252 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104252 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
I know my brother. He just needs a chance. Placing him in the action will give him time to acclimate. He needs to be able to observe, process, and adjust. Every now and then, he’ll need to back away, and our apartment will give him that.
“I hear you, man. We’ll leave as soon as we can. I have some shit I wanted to do at the apartment too.”
“What is this party even for? I don’t want to talk to people. I’m not in the mood today.”
I snort. It’s not like Mama is going to give him a chance to speak, even if he were in the mood. It’s one of the things that infuriates me about our mama.
“Don’t worry about it. I don’t know what the heck this party is for, but you head on up to your room. I’ll deal with the party and Mama,” I say to my brother.
“Thanks, Cam.”
“You know I’ve always got you. I’ll bring you something to eat too.”
Caleb sits, flexing and unflexing his hands. He might know he has an escape when we get to the house, but it’s still worrying him. Unnecessary stress.
My mama is the queen of creating it. For as long as I can remember, she’s made everything about what she wants. The rest of us just have to grin and bear it.
“Will Kay be there?” Caleb asks.
I think he needs a distraction. I glance over and find him squinting and pursing his lips. Fuck, I could strangle Mama for this.
“Yeah, she’ll be there. Dakota will too, and Thomas. If you want, we’ll come up and hang in your room,” I offer.
“No, Mama will get mad I took y’all away from the party. I’ll find something to do.”
“You excited for the season? I think it’s going to be a good one,” I ask to change the subject and distract him.
“Yeah, I’m excited, but I don’t think Coach Robinson likes us very much,” he replies.
“Fuck him. If he gives you shit, tell me or Coach Snider. You hear me?”
“Yeah.”
“I mean it, Cal. I’m not going to let him fuck with you as long as I’m around, but if something happens where I can’t be there, you let me know right away.
“That dude is an asshole. I picked up on that our first week of meetings.”
“I think he’s mad because I made him look stupid.”
“I’m sure that’s what it is.”
Caleb is nothing but honest and straightforward. Coach Robinson tried to embarrass him and got embarrassed instead. My brother is far from stupid and if you’re wrong, he’s going to correct you.
We pull up to the house and Cal releases a groan as all the cars come into view. Mama said it would only be a few people. This is far from a few people. I bite out a curse under my breath.
“You can go in through the side door and head straight upstairs,” I say.
“I did good this week, didn’t I?”
“Yeah, you did fucking awesome, bro.”
“We have four more years. That’s a lot of time and people. I’ll walk in with you. Baby steps, right?”
He turns and gives me a smile. My chest swells with pride. I’m so proud of this kid.
I nod and try not to get choked up. This is big for Caleb. I’ve been watching him try to find his own way more and more.
We climb out of the car and head into the house. Music and chatter greet us as soon as we walk into the door. Caleb looks around at all the people then makes a beeline for the stairs to head up to his old room.
I smile and shake my head. I’m not about to force him out of his comfort zone. Just walking in here knowing he could be bombarded by all these guests was a lot.
“Cameron,” my mama sings as she floats toward me, her gaze locking on a retreating Caleb.
I step up and tug her into a hug before she starts in on him. She has this thing where she doesn’t want Caleb to talk but she wants to show off her handsome twin boys at the same time. Not tonight—at least not with my little brother.
“Is everything all right? Where’s your brother going?”
“He had to use the bathroom. He’s fine.”
“Oh. Well, I just saw Kayleen. She looks lovely tonight. I’m sure you’re already missing her,” Mama says.
I narrow my eyes. Is this what this shit is about? I haven’t seen Kay since our fight the day of freshman orientation.
I’ve had a lot on my plate. I haven’t had time. It’s not like I haven’t called her or told her she can come by the apartment as long as she didn’t harp on the same bullshit while there.
She can’t let it go and I don’t know what the fuck she wants me to do about the situation. It’s not going to change. Caleb and I ain’t changing schools and I don’t think there is a way for Kay to join us this year, so it is what it is.