Page 60 of Where It Begins

“I bet.”

Sidney ushers me inside the house and I follow him through the kitchen, which has been cleaned, to the backyard, which I’m also assuming has been cleaned since there are no red cups littering the lawn. “How’s Buck? I mean, Miller.” Violet is now insisting she call Miller by his nickname rather than his given name.

“He’s banished to his room with no TV and no devices until the end of time. He cried when Violet texted. He really couldn’t remember what happened.”

I press my hand to my chest. “It’s sweet that he cried, but scary that he couldn’t remember.”

“Hence, his being grounded for life.” Sidney’s gaze drops to my bare ring finger.

“It’s in my nightstand drawer. I figured we should probably let the dust settle before we go sharing the news.”

“That’s a good idea. He was really worried that he’d messed things up. So was I, to be honest. I can’t tell you how relieved I was when Violet texted.”

“I cried loudly in a fast-food parking lot, then relief binged on burgers and fries.”

“That sounds like a reasonable thing to do.” He wraps his arms around me. “Lesson learned, huh? Miller will stay with his grandparents when I go away, since I can’t trust him on his own.”

“How does he feel about that?”

“He knows he has to earn my trust back after this.”

Sidney releases me when there’s a knock on the sliding glass door. I turn to find Miller standing on the other side, looking a lot like a sad golden retriever. His big shoulders are hunched, one of his thumbs is tucked into his shorts pocket and his bottom lip slips through his teeth.

Sidney motions for him to open the door.

“Sorry to interrupt, but I saw Skye’s car in the driveway. I can come back later, though. Or maybe you don’t really want to talk to me right now.” He drops his head and stares at his feet.

I glance at Sidney. “It’s okay. Is there something you want to say, Miller?”

He nods and rubs the back of his neck. “I uh…my dad really likes you. Like a lot. And I like you a lot, too. And I know I fu—messed up this weekend. And that Violet is only sixteen and what I did was stupid and dangerous. Especially because I got hammered and then she had to be the one to take care of me instead of the other way around. And that’s not to say she can’t take care of herself. But all my friends were here, and she doesn’t know them and some of them can be real douchebags, but I don’t think they were douchebags to her.” He sucks in a long breath. “Anyway, I wanted to say that I’m sorry. And I promise to do better. I’ve never had the chance to be an older brother, but I think Violet would be a great sister, even if we’re both almost adults and I’m probably going to be on a farm team in a year. So, yeah. I’m sorry and it won’t happen again, and not just because I’m grounded until I move out.”

“It wasn’t your best choice, but you’re a teenage boy, and your kind aren’t known for making the best, rational decisions. I forgive you.”

His head snaps up, his eyes wide with surprise. “You do?”

“It can’t ever happen again.”

“It won’t. I promise.”

“I’ll wax your arms and legs if it does.”

He rubs the fuzz on his forearm. “That’s a fair and just punishment.”

I open my arms. “Want a hug?”

He nods and engulfs me in his enormous arms. He smells like body spray, sweat and dirty socks. “Thanks for being so cool, Skye.”

“It’s easier for me since I’m not the one who has to dole out or enforce the punishment. Remember this moment when you feel like giving your dad a hard time about it?”

“You should go to bed, son. You have a busy day and practice tomorrow after school,” Sidney says.

“Okay. Good night. And tell Vi I’m sorry again. And thanks for making sure I didn’t die like an asshole.”

“Will do.”

Miller disappears back inside and trudges upstairs to his bedroom.

“I think when you’re ready, we can probably tell them?”

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