“I’m only two years younger than you,” I remind him, picking up my bottle and taking a sip of it.
“I’ve always been the wise one.”
“No one in the entirety of our lives has ever said that,” I tease with a laugh, which makes him grasp his heart in mock pain before laughing with me.
“I fly back to Georgia tonight. You can crash at my place for the rest of the summer until school starts if you want,” he offers, and I look over at him.
“What? You’re leaving?” I ask.
“Yeah, I really only came for the party. I have no need to stay another day, and I’m afraid that I may freak the fuck out on Dad if I stay any longer,” he says, pulling out his phone and going to the Delta app.
I gently push his hand down. “No, I’m ok. I think I wanna stay just to see what happens,” I say, looking over at Beckett, who is already looking in our direction.
“Ok, but in a few months, you better bet that I’m going to be seeing you all the fucking time. There’s no way that I’m letting my best friend slip away from me again.”
“I am not your best friend.”
“Outside of Mason, yeah, you are,” he says, turning serious for a moment.
“Oh, shut the fuck up. You’re so dumb.”
“I’m being so fucking for real right now. Why do you think I call you so much?”
“Honestly, I have no idea,” I admit.
“Because you’re my favorite sister, duh,” he says, bumping me with his shoulder.
“Wow, thanks. My competition is really stiff,” I say, rolling my eyes, making him laugh again.
“Hey, for real though…I love you. Don’t be a stranger, phones work both ways. And if you ever need anything, I’m here for you, ok?” he says. He has no idea how much that means to me.
He stands up, and I stand too, as he pulls me into a hug. I hold him tight.
“Love you, big bro.”
“Love you, lil sis,” he says, pulling away. He gives me a small wave before leaving me alone again on the grass.
I lay back down on the blanket and let out a deep breath.
“You always watch the fireworks by yourself?” Beckett’s voice comes from behind me, several minutes later.
I jump slightly. I didn’t even hear him approach.
I shrug, tipping back the rest of my bottle before setting it down on the grass.
He doesn’t say anything as he sits next to me. I’m overcome with emotion, and I want to cry, my chest feeling tight.
“No one even noticed me,” I whisper. My conversation with Kaden had been nice, but it doesn’t change the fact that I felt like an outcast in my own family all day.
He wraps his arm around me and pulls me into his side.
“I noticed you,” he whispers, kissing the side of my head.
“I wish that it had just been us today. That they could’ve just gone and done something else, or maybe I should’ve. It’s not like anyone would have cared.”
“Don’t say that, I care. I’m glad you’re here. I’m sorry I didn’t give you more attention today. Tomorrow it’s just me, you, and Mocha. We can do whatever you want,” he says, gently grabbing my chin and forcing me to look at him.
I let out a sigh. “It’s fine, I know why you didn’t. You can’t let them know about us,this, whatever the fuck is going on. It’s whatever,” I whisper, but my bottom lip trembles.
