Page 50 of Two Is Better Than One

"AJ does have a brother, but he's married."

"So is my new bodyguard, JP. Too bad, because of the initials and everything. We could marry AJ and JP—it would be a bunch of initials."

"Do you like JP? You just said he was married." Allie stared at me with a confused expression.

"No. I'm just saying… I'm open to anyone single now that you have a man."

"You don't want just anyone. I’m surprised you say you even fell for Casey."

"Why?" I asked.

"No offense to him. I love Casey. But I wouldn't think you'd like the whole military, or cop thing, or whatever he does. He's gone all the time and in danger, apparently."

"I don't like it, but it is what it is. I would have been fine with it. But he can't even see or talk to me. Probably never again. The thing is, I was fine with his work, whatever it was. He was the only guy I've ever… never mind. I thought it was too good to be true, and it was. He left."

"Can't you just fly to wherever he is and see him? We'll be back home after Friday, and you could—"

"I can't. He can't see me at all. It's fine. We already talked about it. I'm just not taking it well. I think I thought things might work out where he'd stay."

"Your only regret is that Casey is not here? You don't regret stirring Brooks up or posting the video?"

"No, I don't. I still hope that it gets to Casey. I'm not taking it down."

"He's trying to make you pull it. I heard him say that."

"It's fine," I said to her. "I'll deal with Brooks. I'm happy it has a million views. I really hope Casey hears it."

My sister climbed into bed with me and snuggled me like we had been doing our whole lives. I was on the heels of making a speech about losing her and not falling in love when she did, and I felt like crying when she came and embraced me.

"I'm hurt that I didn't know you were posting it, Summer, but objectively, I think the song is amazing. And you look beautiful in the video."

I thanked her for saying that, and she and I stayed there for another ten minutes. It felt good to connect with my sister. The trip to Miami had been a month-long emotional roller coaster, and I was honestly ready to have it over and get back to my normal life. I knew life wouldn’t be completely normal again, though. Allie was changed. AJ wasn't going away when our trip to Miami was over. I didn't have my sister confirm that, but I knew it to be true.

"Mom said Garrett's painting made it to the house today, but I don't want it anymore," Allie said.

"Even though Garrett didn't do anything to AJ?" I asked.

"Yeah, I just don't want it. I don't know why. I'm donating it to a charity auction for the church."

"Well, I know they'll be glad to get it," I said.

I was thinking about that YouTube video having a million views and wondering if it might reach Casey, and I was only able to half-concentrate on the conversation about the painting. It was nice to hold onto my sister, though, and neither of us moved for a few more minutes. I flinched when someone knocked on the door.

"Summer, how are you feeling? Did Allie get you up? Could you come out here, please?" Brooks asked the questions through the door.

"I'll be right out!" I said, feeling annoyed that he was standing there yelling. "Can you go out there for me?" I asked my sister. "Tell him I only have two hours to get ready for the movie shoot, so I'm going to stay in here. Tell him after I shower and get dressed, he can come in here and say whatever he wants to say about the video. He can come in later, but I need about an hour."

"I'll tell him," she said, getting up.

Chapter 20

Summer

I knew what I was wearing to the movie set, and I planned on showering but not washing my hair. I didn't need very long to get dressed, but I also didn't yet feel like dealing with Brooks about the video.

I absentmindedly stared at a brown bottle that was near my bedside. The bottle was full of curious little items called peppermint beadlets. It was a drop of peppermint essential oil encapsulated in these mini, dissolvable, dots. I rolled and reached out to grab the bottle. I popped one of them into my mouth. They weren't there for my breath, although that was a good side-effect. I took peppermint for my stomach, and thinking about Brooks asking me to take the video down made me take one as a precautionary measure.

I had been in my room a lot since Casey left, and I knew Brooks and Allie thought something was wrong with me. I could tell by how they walked on eggshells around me. I didn't want to think about the awkward encounter I would no doubt have with Brooks later.

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