Page 126 of Break My Heart
‘I heard some kid talking about it.’
‘Tall and skinny with braces and messy brown hair?’ Gina says.
‘Yeah, that was him. I heard him telling some other kid that the old guy who owns the brewery got third place.’
‘Old guy?’ I say. ‘What the hell? I’m only 30.’
Nick laughs. ‘When you’re a teenager, 30 is old.’
‘Hey, did you guys hear the news?’ Jason says, coming up to us.
‘What news?’ Nick asks.
‘Brody bought a house. That one over on Maple Street that’s been for sale forever. The kid’s younger than all of us and already has a house.’
‘I wonder how much he paid for it,’ I say.
‘I hope he got a deal on it,’ Nick says. ‘That place needs a lot of work.’
Brody walks up to us, a huge grin on his face. ‘Guess what?’
‘You bought a house,’ we all say.
Brody shoves Jason. ‘What the hell? I told you I wanted to be the one to tell them.’
Jason shrugs. ‘I forgot.’
‘What are you doing buying a house?’ I ask Brody.
‘I got a good deal on it and now I’m not wasting money on rent. And while I’m living there, I’ll fix it up, then sell it and make some money.’
‘When are you going to have time to fix it up?’ Nick asks. ‘That place needs a lot of work.’
‘I’ll do it now. I’m done with lawn work for the year, and until it snows, I’ve got nothing to do.’
‘It’s actually a good idea,’ Jason says. ‘It’s better than him sitting around all day.’
‘Did you buy it from Matt?’ Nick asks.
‘Yeah. I told him not to tell you anything until the sale went through. I didn’t want you trying to talk me out of it.’
‘When do we get to see it?’ Gina asks.
‘After I close. I’ll have a big party. You two can bring the beer.’
My little brother bought a house. I could’ve done that if I hadn’t put all my money into the brewery. But when I was Brody’s age, I didn’t want a house. I wasn’t sure if I ever would. I pictured myself being a bachelor, living in my apartment. But now a house is sounding more appealing. Maybe Gina and I should get a house instead of moving to a bigger apartment.
Buying a house together is a huge commitment, but I’m committed to her, even knowing it’s possible she could leave. But I don’t think she will. Just looking at her now, smiling and joking around with my brothers, she has more than just G’s keeping her here. She has a family. She has me. And she has a whole town that supports her.
‘Did he tell you?’ Matt asks, coming up beside me.
‘About the house?’ I say. ‘We just found out.’
‘I can’t believe you didn’t tell me,’ Nick says to Matt, sounding annoyed.
‘He’s old enough to make his own decisions,’ Matt says,smiling at Nick. ‘To make it up to you, I’ll get you a deal on the house over on Sycamore.’
‘Yeah, I don’t think we’re ready for that yet,’ Nick says, glancing at Lyndsay.
