Page 177 of The Otherworld

I don’t care.

My mind is reeling the whole drive to the port. The sky goes from indigo to gray to pale blue. It’s almost dawn by the time I pull into the parking lot.

I see his truck right away, parked in its usual spot outside his hangar. I swerve my Mustang to a stop beside it. Kill the engine, get out.

The port is still sleeping—silent and shrouded in early morning fog. I spot Adam standing at the end of the dock, looking out over the harbor.

Even through the fog, fifty feet away, I recognize him.

My brother.

My hero.

My lifeline.

I make my way toward him, tears fogging my vision. Still barefoot, he doesn’t even hear my approach until I finally manage to get my voice out.

“Adam!”

He turns and sees me running down the docks, but he doesn’t have a chance to say anything before I throw my arms around him.

At first, he’s caught off guard. His body goes rigid. Then suddenly, he’s hugging me so hard I think my ribs might break. Tears roll down my face as I hold onto him, wishing I could tell him so many things—but I can’t get any words past the lump in my throat.

So instead I just stand there hugging him.

Finally, I manage to choke out an apology. “I’m sorry, Adam. I’m sorry I’ve been such an asshole.”

“I’m sorry too, Jack.” His voice cracks, raw with emotion. “For everything.”

“Well, I forgive you. So shut up about it already.”

A surprised laugh rumbles out of him. I feel it in my chest. “You’ve got one hell of a left hook, little brother.”

“And you’ve got one hell of an uppercut.”

Adam sighs, pulling back to give me a weak half-smile.

“Come back home, Adam. Mom won’t be able to handle both of us gone.”

He frowns at me, clueless. “What do you mean? Where are you going?”

I smirk, swiping the leftover tears off my face. I can’t tell my brother that I’m joining the military while I stand here crying like a little girl. I suck in a deep breath.

“I’ve joined the Air Force.”

Adam stares at me, shocked. “What?”

“It’s what I want,” I assure him with a decided nod. “Really. I’ve thought about it a lot. I’ve always wanted to travel. And Mom and Dad want me to stop wasting time and pursue a career, so… that solves everything, doesn’t it? Maybe someday I’ll even become a fighter pilot. Who knows?”

Adam stares at me for a few seconds, taking it all in. “Wow, Jack. That’s… sudden.”

“I know.”

“Crazy.”

“I know.”

He studies me for a moment, skeptical. “It’s gonna be a lot of hard work.”

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