“Of course he cried. His baby girl’s gonna be a Pioneer.” I’m not crying. No, there’s just... something in my eye. Both eyes. “Mom must be going nuts.”
“She’s already planning what to wear to signing day,” Megan says, a grin almost audible in her voice. “I think she’s more excited than I am, if that’s even possible.”
I tip my head back, staring up at the water stain on our ceiling—a vaguely smudged outline that kind of looks like Nicolas Cage if I squint. All those nights spent lying awake,staring at this same ceiling and wondering how the hell we’d manage to send Meg to college. The extra shifts I took, the sleepless nights, the backup plans... all of it.
“Fred?” Meg’s voice softens. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” I clear my throat, swallowing hard. “Yeah, I’m just... I’m so damn proud of you, kid.”
“I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Bullshit,” I say, managing a laugh. “This is all you, Meg. Your talent, your grit.”
“No, I mean it.” Her voice catches. “All those times you drove me to practice when Mom and Dad couldn’t, the equipment you helped pay for... You never let me give up, even when I wanted to.”
Christ. When did my baby sister get so grown up?
“That’s what big brothers are for,” I say, my voice rough, definitely not because I’m wiping my eyes. “Someone’s gotta keep you in line.”
“Yeah, well.” She pauses. “You did good, big brother.”
We hang up, and as I set my phone down, I’m saved from completely losing it by Troy ambling in, a hoodie slung over his shoulder.
He stops mid-stride when he sees my face. “Dude, you okay?”
I nod, still finding my breath, words just out of reach.
“Megan got her scholarship,” I finally manage. “Full ride. Denver.”
For the first time in months, it feels like I can actually breathe.
You did it, Meg. You really fucking did it.
Troy’s face breaks into that mega-watt smile. “No shit? That’s awesome!” He claps me on the shoulder. “This calls for celebration. I’m talking shots.”
I check my watch. “It’s two in the afternoon.”
“It’s five o’clock somewhere,” he shrugs, already heading for the cabinet where we keep the good stuff. “And your sister’s gonna be aPioneer. That deserves tequila.”
I watch him pour the shots, my mind spinning. My baby sister’s really doing it—getting out of Goldbend, chasing her dreams. The thought of her not needing her big brother anymore is both a massive relief and fucking terrifying.
Troy plops down in the chair across from me, sliding a shot my way. “Hey, I know that look. I had the same one when Tara decided to come here.”
I raise an eyebrow at him. “Yeah?”
He shrugs, a wry smile playing on his lips. “Ethan tell you about my reaction?”
I snort. “Said you threw a bitch fit.”
“I didnotthrow a bitch fit,” Troy protests, but he’s grinning. “I was justifiably concerned about my reputation.”
“What reputation? Campus beefcake?”
“Har har.” Troy rolls his eyes, but he’s still grinning. “Point is, it’s weird, you know? Watching them grow up, become their own person. But it’s kinda nice too. Like you did something right.”
I let his words sink in, thinking about Megan’s voice, all excited about Denver. Maybe Troy’s right. Maybe this is just part of growing up and not fucking everything up.
“When did you get so wise?” I tease.
