Page 2 of Sticking Out

No wait, she messaged last night and said she couldn’t make it—which, with nothing on the agenda today, is probably why I stayed out too late and drank too much last night. I hope her grandmother is doing okay. Summer said she hasn’t been well and she’s been staying with her. She even missed the game last night, but said she caught it on TV.

“Two. Can you take her?”

Jesus, that’s in half an hour. Way to leave it to the last minute. “Yeah, I’ll be there, for her.”

Clearly picking up on my anger, he shoots back, “Bro, come on. Put yourself in my shoes.”

“Oh, I am.” Honestly my brother had shoes I knew I could never fill, and this…this fucking hurts. My idolization of him, for all he’s done for me, is now battling with his infidelity…or infidelities. The less I know, the better.

“You can’t tell me you wouldn’t do the same,” he shoots back.

“Pretty sure I can, bro.” With that, I end the call and toss the phone to the foot of my bed like it’s about to give me the plague. I exhale loudly, and wince as I turn toward my window, the bright afternoon sun hurting my eyes.

My phone pings, and thinking it might be Dani, I grab it only to read the text from my brother.

* * *

Alec: Thanks. I owe you.

* * *

It’s not me he owes. No, it’s Dani he owes and what he owes her is a big fucking apology, followed by months of groveling for forgiveness. Instead of answering, I focus on what needs to be done, and shoot off a message to Dani—all the while hating myself for even knowing my brother’s secret.

* * *

Me: Hey, heard from Alec. He asked me to take you to your appointment. How are you feeling?

* * *

Dani: Probably better than you.

* * *

I chuckle. She knows me well. I know her well too. She was my friend in high school before my brother ever showed her any attention. She moved into our Boston neighborhood when she was a sophomore, like me. Alec was a senior, who had girls falling all over him. Why wouldn’t he? He was the smartest guy I knew, going places, and doing things. Okay, maybe there was a tiny part of me that was envious at how easy schoolwork came to him, when I struggled so horribly. Even though I eventually got help with my dyslexia, I still have troubles, and I keep that part of my life hidden.

* * *

Me: I’m okay. I can take you.

* * *

Dani: I’m a big girl. I can go by myself. Don’t worry about it. You probably want to commiserate with Summer today.

* * *

Me: She’s with her grandmother and I need the distraction. Trust me.

* * *

Dani: Fine then, dinner is on me.

* * *

Me: You’re not cooking dinner when you’re not feeling well.

* * *

Dani: I have homemade lasagna in the freezer.

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