But I can’t skip out on Sasha. Not after everything she’s been through. She deserves to be surrounded by people who love and support her.
You know I hate surprises.
LOGAN
Well, I have a feeling you might like this one.
Fine. Whatever. It better be good, or you’re buying my drinks at The Brew for a whole month.
LOGAN
Deal.
five
SIXTEEN YEARS AGO
“Family meeting!”my mom’s voice carries up the stairs, interrupting my intense focus on the canvas in front of me.
I groan, setting down my paintbrush. I’ve been working on this painting for days, trying to capture the exact shade of blue where the lake meets the sky. Why do stupid family meetings always have to happen right when I’m in the zone?
“Coming!” I yell back, wiping my paint-stained hands on my already ruined jeans.
When I reach the living room, Logan’s already sprawled across the loveseat, dangling his long legs over the armrest. Mom and Dad are sitting on the couch with serious looks on their faces.
“What’s up?” I ask, flopping down next to my twin. “If this is about the broken window in the garage, I swear it was all Logan.”
“Hey!” My brother sits up, indignant. “It was your ball!”
“Kids,” my dad interrupts, tone clear he means business. “This isn’t about the window, though we will be discussing that later.” He gives us a pointed look. “We have something we want to discuss with you.”
Mom sighs. “It’s about Rowan.”
My stomach drops. Five years, and it still stings a little when someone says his name.
Suddenly alert, Logan sits up. Of course he cares. He’s been talking to Rowan on the phone regularly the whole time he’s been gone. Unlike me.
Dad clears his throat. “As you know, Rowan’s grandfather passed away a few months ago. Last week his grandmother died.”
“Is he okay?” I ask.
“As far as we know,” my mom answers softly. “But he’s alone now. He doesn’t have any other family.”
“And since he won’t be eighteen until the end of the school year,” Dad continues, “he still needs legal guardians.”
The pieces click together in my head even before my dad finishes speaking. My heart starts hammering against my ribs.
“Please tell me you’ve decided to let him come live with us,” Logan says.
“Yes, honey. He’s going to be staying with us,” my mom nods. “He’ll finish out his senior year here with you both at Lakeside High.”
His face lights up. “Seriously? That’s awesome!”
My eyes bounce between my parents and my brother as I twist my hands in my lap. “How did you find out? When did this get decided?”
“Logan brought up the idea a few days ago,” my dad explains. “We’ve been working with the authorities in Ireland, making the arrangements.”
When I glance over at Logan, he gives me a guilty shrug. He knew about this all this time and didn’t say anything? Seriously?
