“Wow!” Holden exclaims. “How’d you know I made pancakes for breakfast?”
On the chairlift to the top of the slopes, Sergio remains sullen after his altercation with Rose and Adrien this morning. He’s half tempted to pitch himself off the chair lift again to get this version of this day over quicker. However, he did promise Jeremy yesterday he wouldn’t do that ever again, regardless of how desperate he feels or how little permanent consequence that is likely to have on anyone. Sergio intends to honor that request. After all, isn’t that one of the things that loving someone is about? Refraining from doing anything that may hurt them, no matter how inconsequential that action may in fact be.
“I’m worried about you,” Adrien says about halfway up the mountain.
“Don’t be,” Sergio says. “You won’t even remember this tomorrow.”
“I doubt that.” Adrien turns to look at him. “Did you mean what you said this morning?”
Sergio sighs. “Which part?”
“The part about being in love with Jeremy.”
“Yeah.” Sergio nods. “I’m in love with him.”
“And when exactly did you figure this out?”
“It’s a long story.”
“It’s a long ride up the mountain.”
“Not long enough.” Sergio sighs again.
Adrien jostles him with his shoulder. It makes the chairlift gently swing. “Well, regardless. I’m proud of you. Confused. But proud of you.”
Sergio turns to look at his brother. “Why on earth would you be proud of me about this?”
“Honestly? I never thought I’d see the day you fell in love with anyone.”
“Why does everyone think I’m incapable of falling in love?”
Adrien takes a deep breath. “Truthfully? It’s because you’ve actively shut that part of you down. You can deny it all you want, but you’ve avoided the possibility of love at every turn. Even four years ago with Jeremy. You could have had it then, but you took the first excuse train you could away from him and any potential of a genuine relationship.”
Sergio slumps and frowns. “You’re not wrong.”
“I know I’m not,” Adrien says and jostles him again. “You’re my brother. I love you, and I know you better than you know yourself sometimes.AndI think Jeremy could be good for you.”
“Yeah, me too,” Sergio says as the end of the lift comes into view. He braces himself to dismount, then glides forward on his skis once they hit the snow. Before going down, he stops and looks at his brother. It’s nice to know that even after having theirblowups, in the end, they always have each other’s backs. This is a reminder he desperately needed. “I’ve been thinking.”
“About what?” Adrien asks.
“All this talk about love. I think it’s time we stopped working together.”
A hesitant grin lights up Adrien’s face. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah,” Sergio says, with a sad half-smile. It’s the first hint of a smile he’s had all day, and he’s really feeling it. “Go live your life. Followyourdreams now, and grab hold of Daphne like she’s the most important person in your world.”
“You’re not joking?”
“I’m not joking.”
Adrien embraces Sergio. He thumps him on the back twice. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Sergio says, and lets go. He turns away and heads down the mountain, understanding for the first time, thanks to how he feels about Jeremy, that Adrien’s love for Daphne doesn’t mean he loves Sergio any less.
“Did you guys have fun?” Holden asks them once Sergio and Adrien reach the bunny hills.
Sergio gives a quick, “Yes,” as Henry calls his name. “Uncle Sergio! Look!” he shouts, then zooms down the hill and comes to stop by way of a forward flip onto his rump. “Did you see?”
