“Thanks. I’m so glad you were here for it.”
“Me too.”
***
Present Day
Sam and I spent no more than a few hours together on Christmas. He almost didn’t show up at all.
His boss demanded that he stay and work through the holiday on a last-minute project for one of the firm’s top clients.
He took a redeye and landed in Charleston in the early hours on Christmas Day, only to hop on another redeye back to Chicago that night.
I knew he was angry about the situation, but we did our best to make the most of it.
After exchanging gifts, he fell asleep while we watched a movie in the loft. I wanted to talk to him but didn’t have the heart to wake him. Instead, I helped him get comfortable with his head in my lap and ran my hands through his hair as we watched Christmas movies.
“I refuse to work for an organization that thinks so little of my personal time,” he complained to me the next day, his voice gruff with exhaustion from traveling and spending the day working. “It’s one thing to significantly lower my ability to take a vacation. But over fucking Christmas?! Kat, I have to get out of here. I just don’tknow if I should find a different firm to work for or just bite the bullet and open my own.”
“I know you’re upset. Just don’t make any rash decisions while your emotions are running high.”
His voice lowers. “It’s not exactly a rash decision, Kat. I’ve been thinking about this for a while. Everything was fine until they replaced my boss. Now, I just think my timeline has shifted up.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that the way it came out.” I pace in my room, feeling anxious for him.
“I know. I’m just frustrated and feel a little stuck right now. I miss being in Charleston. I miss my dad. I wanted to spend time with you, and I’m mad that I slept the entire time.”
“I wanted to spend time with you, too, but I’m not upset that you slept. It was enough for me that you were there.”
He sighs, and I picture him dragging his hand through his hair. “I’m nervous about transitioning out of this job. What if I fail?”
“What if you don’t? Sam, you’ve shared some of your designs with me, and they’re incredible.Youare incredible. And whether you choose to join another firm or start your own, I’m confident that you’ll succeed. Don’t stay in a toxic job.”
He’s quiet for a moment before speaking again, “Thanks. I—thanks, Kat.”
Over the past month, Sam and I have fallen into a comfortable routine of texting in the morning and talking on the phone in the evenings. He hasn’t made any solid plans for his future. Of course, I want him close to me. But I won’t pressure him.
I can’t believe I went so long without him in my life. I can’t take that time back, but I’m glad to have the chance to move forward with this friendship.
Fourteen Years Old
I never realized how popular Sam and Ethan were until this year. I knew Ethan always had a date whenever he wanted to go out. But this?
They practically have an entourage with the number of girls that follow them around campus like puppy dogs begging for treats.
Even some of the girls in my grade are in awe when they learn Ethan is my brother and that Sam hangs out at our house all the time.
The number of times I’ve heard “Oh my God, how do you handle being around Sam all the time? He’s so hot!” I just roll my eyes.
I get it, they think my brother and his best friend are hot. I’ve also seen them both pick their noses, fart, burp, and cry. Whatever.
It's my freshman year, and I’m just glad all my classes have at least one of my friends in them, so I don’t have to deal with the swoony girls on my own.
Liv, Sophie, and Kristen are great at coming to my rescue and changing the topic away from my brother and his best friend.
Sam and Ethan are juniors this year, both on the track team. And both got muscular between their freshman and sophomore years. It isn’t a surprise that the girls all fawn over them.
I would be lying if I didn’t say I think Sam is hot, too. But the constant ogling and fawning over my brother is just too much.
