I cross my arms. “I do.”
“You don’t have to get so defensive. I like seeing you happy. Just remember, you’re young. Your first love doesn’t have to be your last.”
I narrow my eyes. “Are you serious?”
He raises his hands in surrender. “I wouldn’t be a good older brother if I didn’t say it. That’s not to say I wouldn’t be happy if she were it for you, but my job is to protect you, even from things you don’t want to hear.”
Harrison has always tried to shield me, especially from our fucked-up parents. The problem is, we’re years apart. He missed an entire chapter of my childhood.
“So, what did you want to ask me?”
For the first time, he shifts uncomfortably. Harrison is the most confident person I know.
He doesn’t get nervous.
“When you’re done with camp, I know you only have a few weeks before college, but I was wondering if you’d want to move in with Seb and me.”
I blink. “Really?”
The thought of returning to my “parents” house makes my stomach turn.
“I won’t be in the Hamptons as much this year because of work, so of course, you could stay with Rosa and Javier. But if you’d rather be in the city, I’d like you to stay with me. That way, you don’t have to deal withthemanymore.”
“Hell yeah, I want to stay with you.” Without thinking, I pull him into a hug. “Thanks, bro. You have no idea how much I dread going back there.”
“Oh, trust me. I have an idea.” He pulls back, clapping my shoulder. “I wish I could’ve taken you away sooner, but since you’ll be eighteen in a few weeks, they can’t stop you. You’ll always have a place with me.”
“Seriously, Harrison. Thanks. I don’t even know why they care where I live. I spend every second possible at the Moraleses’ house. I barely see the sperm donor and incubator.”
Harrison blows out a long breath. “They get a kick out of punishing us. They know you’d be happy staying with me or theMorales—” He pauses and looks behind me. “Votre copine est derrière vous.”Your girlfriend is behind you.
I turn and find Maddie frozen in place, wide-eyed, pale as a ghost.
“I-I’m sorry,” she stammers. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but Rosa asked me to tell you we’re leaving.”
I wrap an arm around her, easing her embarrassment. “It’s okay, Maddie. We’re done here.”
I side-hug my brother’s shoulder again. “Love you.”
“Love you too.”
I lead Maddie toward the exit, feeling the nervous energy radiating off her.
“Mads.” I stop, cupping her cheeks. “Don’t worry.”
“I didn’t hear anything, I promise,” she says quickly, the words trembling out of her parted lips. “Well…mostly nothing.”
I chuckle, pressing a soft, fleeting kiss to her lips.
She’s going to find out about my fucked-up life eventually. It’s not all a secret, but I’d rather not stain the best summer of our lives with it just yet.
Or at least until she asks.
Mom hugs Maddie last, holding her close as if she’s already part of the family. “I hope to see you again soon, Maddie Grace.”
Maddie tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, her expression warm but shy. “Thank you so much for lunch and for letting me join. I had a really great time.”
“Anytime, sweetheart.” Mom hesitates, then adds, “I know you’re eager to live in New York, so if you ever want to visit, you’ll always have a place to stay with us.”
