Trials and Tiaras (Untouchable #7) - Heather Long Page 0,54

“Sis,” I said slowly. “The game plan has always been us going off to college. It’s what you do after you graduate high school if you have specific plans.”

“I know.”

“And we were always planning on going to school out of state.”

“I know.” She glared at me. “But you spend all of your time with Frankie. You spent Christmas with her. You’re going to move away with her and then she’s gonna be your family, and where does that leave us?”

“First of all,” I said, holding her gaze. “Frankie was already family. Frankie has been family for years.”

Expression crumpling, she let out a miserable, “I know. I’m not really mad at her but…this whole thing with Dad. He left and we barely get to see him. Now you’re going to leave. Then it’s just me and Mom.”

“Sis, I don’t care where we move or go to school, I’m still your brother. You can call me or text me, we can video chat. Though based on your recent schedule, you’re usually too busy to hang out with me without a lot of arm twisting.”

Her cheeks pinkened, even as she swiped at the tears.

“And Dad leaving—that’s between him and Mom. You still see Dad every other weekend, and if you want to spend more time with him, then say something.”

“You don’t want to spend the time with him though,” she pointed out. “So if I say I want more, then it’s like I’m having to choose between all of you.”

Deep breath. I fisted my temper and shoved the whole thing in a box. I could punch my dad and his wandering dick right now, but that wasn’t what Trina needed. Nudging my plate out of the way, I rested my forearms on the table and leaned forward. She needed one hundred percent of my focus and to know I heard her.

“We’re your family, for better or worse, and we’re always going to be your family. Saying you want more time with Dad doesn’t mean you want less time with me or Mom.”

“Except that’s exactly what it means. If I spend more time with him, it’s less time at home. Mom always looks so sad when I go, and so does Dad.”

“That’s because they both love you. Do I look sad when you go?”

She glared and threw a chip at me. I picked it off my shirt and crunched it with a smile.

“They aren’t sad that you’re leaving one of them to go hang out with the other, they’re just sad you’re going at all. I expect full on waterworks at graduation, and fuck me, it’s going to be bad when we’re packing to go.”

Her eyes welled up, and she sniffed almost indignantly. “Why are you being an ass?”

“I’m not being an ass,” I told her, and I meant it. “I know you’re going to miss me. Even with the way you’re scowling at me right now. Did it occur to you that I’m probably going to miss you and Mom too?”

That earned a slow blink, and she took a long drink of her soda before swiping carefully at her eyes. The hints of black eyeliner smudging with her fingers made me want to sigh. When did she start wearing make up?

“I’m going to be a thousand miles away and some boy is going to ask you out, and I’ll have to find a way to fly back here and kick his ass and get back in time for classes. It’s going to be a whole thing.”

A real laugh escaped her, even as she rolled her eyes. “You’d totally send Jake.”

“Probably,” I agreed. “But I’ll always be a phone call away, and if you really need me, I’m going to be here.”

She sniffed. “I guess you going will help my dating life.”

“That’s it, you’re coming with us. We’ll get an extra room for you so I can keep an eye on any boys. Though we may need to get you earplugs.”

“Oh God, you are so gross.” Any sign of tears vanished as she flung another chip at me. “I take it back, I can’t wait for you to move out.”

Chuckling, I nudged her plate toward her. “Awesome. Do you want to try and finish that, or do you want me to go grab us some hot plates since ours got cold?”

“Hot plates?” She looked so hopeful, I just grinned.

“On it.”

When I slid out of the booth, she called, “Tamales and rice—and guacamole.”

“I know,” I said over my shoulder. I knew exactly what she liked.