"He told me it wasn’t my place. That I didn’t understand what Mom was going through. That she was fine." His laugh is hollow. "She wasn’t fine. I was the one here. I was the one grocery shopping, paying bills, handling her meltdowns, driving her to every random appointment she’d agree to until she stopped leaving the house at all. I worked nights at the gas station just to get out of the house. Just to breathe."
I could say something. Ishouldsay something. But the words stick in my throat.
I sit frozen, absorbing every word.
Jasper glances down at his lap. "She’d ask for something and if I didn’t jump the second she wanted it, she’d nag me into the ground. I love her, Ellie, but it’s exhausting." He finally looks back at me. "So, yeah. I’m mad. I’ve been mad. I haven’t reallytalked to Dad since that fight. And going to the hospital? It means facing all of it again. And I don’t know if I’m ready for that."
"I’m sorry," I murmur. "I didn’t know. I thought… I thought you just didn’t want to go."
"I didn’t want to dump it on you," he admits. "You were out there living your life, chasing your dreams. I didn’t want to be the reason you came back."
I’m not sure how I missed all of this. How did I not see Jasper drowning here? It wasn’t just Brooks who stayed and picked up the pieces after I left. It was my brother, too.
"I’m sorry I left you to deal with everything on your own," I say quietly. "I know it might’ve looked selfish, but I didn’t want to be stuck here anymore. I wanted…more."
"I’m not mad," Jasper says, and his voice is steady. "I want you to be happy, Ellie. I want you to succeed."
The problem is… I’m not happy. I haven’t been happy in California for a while.
"What doyouwant to do with your life?" I ask him.
He lets out a short laugh. "I don’t know."
"Do you have dreams? Things you’ve always wanted?"
"Brooks and I always talk about opening a sports bar," he admits.
I raise a brow. "You two don’t even watch sports."
Jasper grins. "Yeah, we know. We just like the idea of a place where people come together. Wall-to-wall TVs, cold beer, maybe good wings. A place that feels like home."
I shake my head, smiling. "You two are weird."
His grin fades. "I don’t think I ever let myselfreallythink about the future. I figured helping Mom was temporary. Just until she got back on her feet. But then… I blinked and I’m 25, still here, still doing the same stuff I was doing in high school. And at some point, I stopped asking what I actually wanted."
I chew the inside of my cheek, then say, "I don’t have to go back to LA right away. I could stay a little longer. Give you some space to figure it out."
He gives me a sad, grateful smile. "I could never ask you to rearrange your life for me. We all made our choices when you left. I respect yours. But I don’t want to be the reason you’re unhappy."
"You keep bringing up my happiness," I note softly.
Jasper chuckles, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. "Everyone always talks about how successful you are—followers, brand deals, going viral. But I guess I’ve always thought success meant happiness. And maybe that’s why I never left. Why I just stayed here making nature videos with Brooks. It’s not flashy, but it makes me feel grounded. Surrounded by the people I love."
His words hit me like a punch to the chest. Not because they hurt, but because maybe he’s found something I’ve spent my entire adult life searching for. People to love. A career built on creativity and expression. A place to call home. Isn’t that what we’re all really searching for? Love. Passion. Belonging.
"I think you’re incredibly successful," I say softly, watching my brother. "More than most people I know."
Jasper shakes his head, a small, bashful smile playing at his lips. "I don’t know about that."
"I do," I say with conviction.
He exhales, long and slow, like he’s been holding his breath for years. "I think… I’d like to go to the hospital. If you’ll come with me."
My lips part, stunned. "You want to see Dad? Really?"
"I should’ve gone days ago," he admits. "But I was scared. And maybe… maybe a little angry."
"But you’re not angry anymore?" I ask gently.
