“Cam, how have you been? I’ve missed you.”
He nods, his ashy brown hair falling in front of his face, his matching hazel eyes boring into my own. “I’m good. Listen, I’m sorry that the veterinarian program didn’t work out for you, but I know you’ll get another shot at it. How can they say no to this face?” He boops my nose teasingly, and I shove his hand away with a mixture of a groan and a snicker.
I assumed my mother would tell Cameron about what had happened to me. It’s embarrassing having to admit you lost your dream job and had to move back in with your mother, but my brother has always been supportive, and I know he would never make me feel small for something I have no control over.
His eyes scan my bag, my medication pouch filled with epi-pens sticking out. He uses his pointer finger to push it back in so it doesn’t fall out. “Still got those allergies, huh?”
“I don’t think an allergy to nuts is something you just grow out of, Cam.”
He shrugs. “I think I just feel sorry for you because you could never have any of Grandma’s peanut brittle. Honestly, it was life-changing.”
My eyes roll as I swat at his arm. “She’d pluck her nose hairs while making the mixture. Somehow, I don’t think I was missing out on much.” I shoot him a toothy grin. “How are you finding working here?”
“It won’t be for forever. It’s just to get my foot in the door, and then I’ll apply for other teams to help physio. Can’t stay in Missarali my entire life.”
Cam’s four years older than me and has always been drawn to the sports world. He never had the desire to play but instead wanted to be on the sidelines, helping the team behind the scenes.
Becoming a physiotherapist seemed like the perfect fit for him. And God knows my mother couldn’t be more thrilled with his career choice. She’s so proud of him, and honestly, there’s a small part of me that wishes I knew what that felt like.
But then I remember that I don’t need her approval. I don’t care what she thinks of me.
“How’s Mom treating you?”
I bring my fingers to my lips, picking at them—something I’ve always done when unhappy. Cam detects my uncertainty immediately, sighing. “It’s—”
“Mae, come on, what’s going on?”
Our mother is a sensitive topic for us. We’re both aware she’s not my biggest fan, but it’s not something we’ve spoken about openly—besides the one time we both got drunk while out with friends and I cried to him about being made to feel like a failure. He tried to help by speaking to her about it, but she did nothing but call me an attention seeker, and it made the situation a million times worse.
He wants to stick up for me, but doing so only hardens things. It’s why he keeps her at arm’s length now.
“She’s being her usual self. It’s fine. I’m here for a season, and then I’ll be moving. I can handle it.”
“Do you want to come and stay with me?” Cameron’s lips curl upwards at the question. He knows what the answer is going to be.
I deadpan him. “No, thank you. Last time I stayed, I didn’t get a wink of sleep because all I could hear was one of your roommates fucking through the paper-thin wall. Their moans are forever etched into my brain.” I fake a shiver. “I’m scarred for life.”
My brother booms with laughter. “I won’t lie to you and say it’s got much better.”
I glance down at my phone as it pings, quickly reading over Flo’s text. “I need to go, but let’s get dinner next week?”
“Sure. I need to go and give these pussies their massages, anyway. Nathan’s hamstring keeps seizing up.”
My mouth suddenly goes dry.
Images of Nathan’s thick thighs oiled up flash into my mind without warning, and I clear my throat, nodding, trying to keep my face neutral.
I’m sure it’s the same thought every horny viewer tonight had as Nathan shucked his helmet off and doused his face in a stream of water to cool down, droplets trickling down his stubbled face and dripping onto his neck, sweat sticking to his football gear.
I’ve never wanted to be a droplet of water before.
But there’s a first time for everything.
“Mae?” Cam barks at me loudly, jolting me from myveryvivid thoughts. “You haven’t eaten anything with nuts in, have you? Your face has gone all red.”
My hands fly to my cheeks, prodding at the flaming skin. “No. What? No.”
My brother eyes me up suspiciously before nodding slowly. “Right, well. I’ll see you next week. Text me.”
