completely.
I didn’t know for sure, but I had a pretty good feeling they’d have opinions about my choices that I didn’t care to hear. I knew damn well they thought college was a waste of time and money, and I didn’t think their perspective would change just because I wasn’t paying for it—especially since I wasn’t even getting college credits for them. It wasn’t something they’d be on board with, and I didn’t need any more doubt infiltrating my mind. I already doubted myself enough.
It was the reason I’d always been so protective of Cody. I wanted better for him than he wanted for himself. He was a good kid with a sharp mind. I didn’t tell him that enough. No one did. It’d be good for both of us to spend some time together, even if it was cleaning up our parents’ yard.
“Have you guys thought about Cody’s birthday?”
“What about it?” my mom asked. “It’s not until December.”
“Yeah, but it’s his eighteenth. I thought we could do something special for him.”
“What’d you have in mind? We never did anything special for the rest of you.”
That was true, though her argument didn’t do much to help her maternal image. She meant well. She and my dad both did, but there was no giving five kids anything more than they needed.
“I don’t know. Just like a small party or something.”
My mom was quiet for a few seconds. “You think we could have it at Rafferty’s? Do you guys have a back room or something? Maybe the owner’d give us a deal.”
My first choice would not have been to volunteer the bar as a place for my kid brother’s birthday party, but my mom clearly wasn’t offering their house as a venue, and something was better than nothing. There was no way they could afford to rent a place out.
“I can check.”
“Okay, we can make it a surprise!” she said, suddenly enthusiastic. “Let me know if you need any help with the planning or anything. I’m sure the girls would be happy to help too.”
“Sure, okay. And I’ll let you know when Cody and I can help with the yard work.”
We said our goodbyes, and as I hung up the phone, I wondered how I always seemed to bite off more than I could chew. I was currently taking higher-level college classes, working almost full-time, helping someone run for sorority president, and now I was planning a surprise party.
My life was almost unrecognizable. And it made me happier than I’d been in a while until I remembered much of it wasn’t really my life.
By the time I made it back out to the living room, my group was packing up to leave.
“I think I just agreed to plan a party,” I said, scratching my head as I let my conversation with my mom sink in.
Aniyah shook her head. “Does every member of the Mason family need a lesson on why parties are manufactured popularity contests?”
“Apparently,” I said.
Aniyah just shook her head again and threw the last of her books into her enormous purse. We’d gotten a good amount accomplished, and once everyone knew what their individual responsibilities were, they headed out. Carter was still there, about to begin his study session with Sophia. He pointed to her room now that I wasn’t in there and told her he was going to get set up.
Once he was out of earshot, Sophia said, “Everything okay? You seemed like you weren’t expecting her to call.”
“Yeah. Fine. She just needed me to help with some stuff around the house.” I pressed my hands into my eyes before massaging my temples. “And then I somehow agreed to plan a surprise party for my brother.”
“Yikes.” She winced.
I’m sure my face showed just how daunting I found the whole process, even if it was only a birthday party for my little brother.
“I also think I somehow made it my idea, which means I can only blame myself for whatever work I have ahead of me.”
She smiled widely, raising her eyebrows in a way that made me nervous for what she was about to say. “I’ll help you plan your party if you help me plan mine.”
It was an offer I couldn’t refuse.
Chapter Fifteen
S O P H I A
I was straightening up my—well, Brody’s—bedroom when I heard a distinct ringtone coming from my phone, which was charging on the bedside table. I took a deep breath before picking it up and answering.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Sophia.” Her tone was clipped as sharply as