Briar huffed out a laugh. ‘As you’ve both explained, it would be irresponsible for me to keep it.’
Her father put what she assumed was meant to be a comforting hand on her shoulder, but the constricting feeling in her chest was back. ‘We’re not trying to force you into anything.’
‘No, of course not,’ Briar said, shrugging him off. ‘You’re just telling me exactly what to do.’
‘Look,’ RJ said, seeming to realize their dad wasn’t getting anywhere, ‘I don’t want to watch you sacrifice everything for someone who isn’t here anymore.’
Briar had never heard her usually stoic brother express concern for her before. ‘I didn’t know that was how you felt.’
‘It is,’ RJ said firmly. ‘Look, my therapist says I need to be more direct, so here goes.’ He took a deep breath. ‘I know I said it was just about the money, but it’s not. I figured it’d be easier for you, if you were doing it for me and the twins. But really, I want you to give it up foryou. Please.’
The fight drained out of her at the look on her brother’s face. Thinking about how the twins had planned the annual camping trip, how RJ and her dad had discussed selling the camp, she realized how far removed they were from the time when things would have fallen apart if Briar hadn’t been dedicating everything to keeping her siblings on track.
In a way, running the camp had been just another thing on the long list of responsibilities that had transferred from her mom to her over the years. And Briar knew now that she could figure out something else, something better, to do with her time than to shoulder another person’s legacy. Even if she didn’t know what that was yet.
‘Okay.’
‘Okay?’ her father asked, and Briar nodded.
‘I’ll sell it.’ She looked around for Alice and met her gaze. ‘I’ll call Mr. Lavish back tomorrow.’
Alice was at her side the next moment. ‘Sorry to interrupt, but I need Briar’s help in the basement.’
They descended the rickety stairs, and Briar was immediately grateful that Alice’s excuse had brought them somewhere cooler. The unfinished basement was still a little dingy, housing her mom’s old potting bench, a few storage boxes and an auxiliary fridge.
‘Are you alright?’ Alice asked.
Briar turned into Alice, nuzzling her neck. The sensation of her skin against Briar’s was the only thing drowning out the panic and relief fighting inside her.
Alice’s arms wrapped around her. ‘How did that go?’
Briar hummed in a way she hoped conveyed her unwillingness to talk about it. Instead, she kissed Alice, crowding her against the bench and hoisting her onto it.
‘At your birthday party?’ Alice teased, already pulling Briar closer.
‘Itismy party,’ Briar said, ghosting her hands up Alice’s thighs.
Alice’s reply was lost as Briar kissed the spot on her neck that always made her breathless.
‘It would be…’ – Alice carded her fingers into Briar’s hair – ‘…irresponsible to hook up here.’
‘Totally,’ Briar said, popping open the top button of Alice’s shirt. She ducked her head to suck at her exposed collarbone.
‘Everyone’s upstairs,’ Alice gasped, as Briar’s hand snuck into the front of her shorts, tracing the lace edge of her panties.
‘We will definitely be missed,’ Briar agreed, breathing out hard as her hand crept even lower. Alice gripped her shoulders.
Briar pushed her lips hard against Alice’s to stifle the moan she knew was coming.
Like a splash of ice-cold water, the lights in the basement flicked on and loud creaking footsteps came down the stairs.
‘Blimey.’
‘Woah.’
Briar froze, instantly knowing that voice.
‘Noah,’ she said slowly, turning. He stood halfway down the stairs, Freddie just behind him. The look on his face was inscrutable, his mouth pulled into a tight line.
