Page 15 of Not A Chance

Chase

Yes, Emery. You’re the only one. He hasn’t cared what’s been going on with us for years. Why should now be any different?

Emery

Chase! That’s not fair. He’s our brother.

Chase

Yeah, well. Maybe he should act like it once in a while rather than only coming home when he absolutely can’t avoid it.

Chase has left the chat.

Theo

At least they have each other’s backs.

Emery

*sigh* I’ll talk to them.

Theo

Em, it’s okay. This is my fault. I’ll fix it with them. You don’t need to take this on.

Emery

Fine. But if you need my help, the offer is there.

Theo

You’re too good to me, sis.

Emery

Damn right, I am.

And you still have to tell Dad!

Theo

Fuck.

Emery

Yeah, good luck with that. I’ve gotta get to class. Freshmen to corral and all that. Even though I’m mad at you, I stilllove you, Theo.

Theo

Love you too.

I chucked my phone onto the couch beside me.

Great. I had three pissed-off siblings, and I hadn’t even unpacked my suitcase yet. I’d have to make an extra trip home during the first break in the team’s schedule.

There were things I should have done to get ready for my first practice with my new team tomorrow. I could have been making use of the cell numbers of the captain or alternate captain of the Tempests, watching old game tape, or even reaching out to team services about the arrival of the rest of my stuff.

Instead, the weight of the last few days hit me all at once. A tsunami of shock, now tinged with guilt over my siblings, rolled over me and sank deep in my gut. My body was trapped by the overwhelming sense of powerlessness to fix all the ways I’d apparently screwed up.

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