Immediately, I cringe. Shit. I was trying to say I’d touch base with him later while also trying to say I was glad he was back.
Okay, it’s fine. Just—breathe. That happened, and I have to accept it. He probably didn’t notice even though I did.
More than ready to be out of there for the wicked breakdown I’m on the verge of, I duck my head and hurry down the street so I can do it in private.
This is just fantastic. Dumped and bumping, literally, into the guy I crushed on in high school in the same day. Mondays really suck.
It should’ve occurred to me Cole was serious about seeing me later when I drag myself down to the main house for dinner a few hours later and find him leaning against the kitchen counter. The sight of him sends me back about nine years, before he left for college and was a regular fixture at our place.
It’s hard to believe. Long stretches of time often feel like nothing at all to me.
I blink, just in case this is some overstimulation-induced hallucination.
Nope, still there. Accepting a beer from Dad.
I feel a little more grounded after a tiny mental breakdown and a shower, but I’m not prepared to face him so soon after ourrun-in. My fingers curl in the cozy oversized sweater I bundled myself in, needing every form of comfort. It sayshappy fall y’alland has leaves embroidered on the cuffs.
“Hey, sweetie. Help me out and bring the potatoes to the table.” Mom wipes her hands on a bright red dish towel covered in a snowflake pattern.
It’s just the beginning. Soon every inch of this house will be covered in seasonal decor. This year I’ve actually convinced her to hold off until after Thanksgiving to give fall—and me—a minute to breathe.
I scoop up the serving dish and take it to the dining room. The table is set with the nice plates. She even pulled out the fancy cloth napkins and folded them with her brass leaf napkin rings. When it’s just us, we eat at the kitchen table. That included Cole in the past, but I guess Mom’s itching to host before the holidays are fully underway.
The front door opens, letting in a chill. Benson comes in alone, jerking his chin in a nod while unwinding the colorful scarf I knit for him last winter. He’s got Mom’s blue eyes and thick brown Lombard hair, like me.
“‘Sup?”
Tossing a glance over my shoulder to make sure our parents are distracted, I skirt around the table and give his arm a soft jab.
“Dude. Way to not give me any warnings.”
Some things never change. We might be older, but we’re still siblings. We love each other in our own way and growing into adulthood hasn’t changed that. One minute we’ll be squabbling like we’re in Lord of the Flies, the next we’re united and raising hell together.
He rubs his arm, unbothered. “Warning about what?”
I roll my eyes as he steals roasted carrots out of the bowl. “Why didn’t you tell me Cole was coming back?”
“It all went down pretty quick. I just found out a few days ago when he texted to see if I’d be around to pick him up from the airport and help him move in. And he only brought two big duffle bags, so we were done in about five minutes.” He shrugs. “Left us time to drink and catch up.”
A sigh escapes me. I suppose I haven’t always known what they were up to.
“No Jess tonight?” I flick his hand when he goes to snack on more of the spread.
“She had to fly out to meet with one of our new distributors. She comes back this weekend.” He pretends to search the room. “No Shawn? Good.”
What I had with my on-again-off-again boyfriend has never been like what my brother has with his wife. That kind of love is special. They’re supportive of each other and they worked together to create their dream by opening a microbrewery.
I bite my lip. “Yeah, we’re not—uh. Together anymore. As of today.”
It feels good to tell someone rather than bottle it up. Sometimes I keep things to myself so I’m not unloading on everyone around me, but my brother’s seen me through more than one breakup, including whenever things with Shawn have ended.
Benson’s amused smirk drops. “Shit. Sorry. Are you okay?”
“I will be. Thanks, Benny.”
“I stand by it, I’ve always thought that guy sucked. You deserve so much better than him.” He holds up a case of bottles with the brewery’s logo and drapes an arm over my shoulders to squeeze me. “I brought something that’ll cheer you up. Your favorite fall cider.”
My lips twist into a smile. “That does make my day a little less shitty.”
