“When have I seen you jealous?”
“Last summer.”
“I did?”
“Yeah, when Brendan came and hung out with us that night. He was looking at you like you were some kind of dessert.”
I scoff. “No, he wasn’t. Besides, he wouldn’t do that to you. You’re his best friend. Wouldn’t that be breaking some kind of bro code?”
He presses his lips together before responding. “Well, he didn’t exactly know how I felt about you.”
“Why not? I thought he was your best friend?”
“He is.”
“Why would you keep that from him?” I press.
“It just didn’t feel important to tell him.”
As the silence settles over us like a damp blanket, he quickly amends, “I mean you’re of course very important to me. You always have been. It’s just that I’m not the greatest at telling people how I feel all the time. I cut a lot of people out last year when I was grieving Rebecca’s loss because it was easier than talking about it. It’s not about you, Em. I promise. This is a me thing.”
I nod thoughtfully. “I guess that’s something you’ll need to work on.”
He smirks. “Yeah, I guess so.” He presses a kiss to my lips, assuring me in the best way he knows how.
“So, how the heck do we get down from here?”
“I’d recommend the ladder.”
“Smart-ass.”
He chuckles. “I’ll be with you every step of the way.”
CHAPTER 23
Summer 17
Rebecca’s panic continues to rise by the second. I’ve never seen her so scared, but I can see the possibility of her twin not being okay is completely shattering her.
I carefully put on my best brave face, recognizing for once I have to be the one who isn’t terrified. For Rebecca.
I grab Andrew’s wrist and lean toward his chest. “He’s breathing, and he has a pulse. Those are great signs!” Despite my best efforts, my voice shakes a little as I report the news.
“How do we get him to wake up? Oh God! This is all my fault. I’m such an idiot! If I had just slowed down...”
“Becs, this isn’t your fault. He’s going to be okay. I promise.”
I swear God himself was looking out for me at that moment because Andrew wakes up, coughing up water.
Rebecca quickly wraps him up in her arms. “It’s okay. Your big sister is here. It’s okay. I’m so sorry, Andrew. Are you okay? Do we need to call 9-1-1?”
He looks incredibly disoriented. His pupils are huge, his eyes are glassy, and his movements are slow.
I nudge Rebecca a little, indicating we should give him somespace. “I think he’s going to be okay, but he almost definitely has a concussion. We should take him to the hospital to get checked out.”
Blinking rapidly, Andrew pushes against Rebecca and me, forcing himself to stand. “I’m fine. Thank you, but it’s going to take more than Rebecca’s elbow to take me out.”
“Clearly not! She just knocked you out cold. We are going to take you to get looked at.”
