Page 182 of Rookie Attraction

“She’s doing good,” I offer. “Seems like she’s on the road to a full recovery from the infection. And Finn is… he’s there every day helping his dad. He’ll stay on until she’s released from the hospital.”

“Family means a lot to him,” she murmurs with a smile.

I nod.

“Everything.”

He’s my everything too.

“That was very sweet of you to visit them.”

I wave that off and turn around before my mom catches the blush creeping up my face.

My brother, however, isn’t so nuanced…

“It sure is,” Karson muses with a smirk. “I’ve never known you to take time off your break to visit a buddy’s family before.”

“We’re close. It’s different.”

“Do tell.”

“Karson, don’t bug your brother. You would do the same for a friend,” Mom interrupts before I can answer him.

“Yeah, I would,” he murmurs.

Thankfully, my brother relents and switches to small talk, so we chat while waiting in traffic. An hour later, we pull up the hillside drive to the Spanish-style casa that we’ve called home for more than a decade. The property was run-down when mom bought it, but now it includes a pool and a private casita with views of the city and the ocean that can’t be beat.

Stepping inside the tiled foyer, I’m greeted by the loud barking of Coco and Bean, mom’s mini poodles.

“Hey guys.” I set my bag down and crouch to give the dogs scritches while they nudge their noses into my hands and wiggle their fluffy blond tails. “Yeah, I’ve missed you too. We’ll cuddle later, okay?”

After a few more chin rubs for the canine duo, I stand up again.

“I’m going for a swim,” I announce.

Karson nods. “I’ll join you.”

“Wait, sorry, are we calling Atticus now?” I ask.

Mom shakes her head. “In a couple of hours.”

“Won’t that be the middle of the night over there?”

“You know him, he’s got lots of parties lined up. He said he’ll be awake all night.” Mom shrugs. “He insisted.”

Karson smirks. “Sounds like he’s already buzzed.”

“Hey, I did the same when I was young, staying out until sunrise,” Mom comments. “It’s the European way.”

“It’s gonna be an interesting conversation,” Karson quips.

“Karson, it doesn’t matter when he calls, we talk,” Mom warns. “Now, if you need me, I’ll be in the kitchen.”

Mom heads off down the hallway, the dogs following her.

Karson smacks my shoulder. “Come on, you need to relax. Let’s hit the pool.”

“I’ll meet you there in a few.”