The mailman's eyes widen before he quickly averts them and hurries on down the street.
Jeremy raises an eyebrow at Mia. "See?"
"See what?" she asks in exasperation.
"The mailman. Or did you not notice how he was ogling you?"
Mia just blinks at him innocently.
I let out an incredulous laugh. She doesn't recognize the effect she has on men. She looks between Jeremy and me as we share a knowing glance.
"That right there is why you can't go out alone looking like that," Jeremy tells her stubbornly. "You don't even see it."
"See what?" she asks again in frustration, shaking her head. "Never mind. You guys are freaking ridiculous. Trixie loves going to the beach, and this is what I'm wearing. Trixie!" For once, Trixie listens to her and leaves me to go bounding over, no doubt lured in by the promise of the beach.
Mia bends over to pick up her pup and drops some of her mail on the ground.Jeremy grabs it for her, and his jaw tightens as his eyes settle on one of the letters.
Mia's body tenses.
"The Institute for Design and Fashion? What's this, Mia?"
Mia sighs. "I was going to tell you."
"When?" Jeremy runs a weary hand over his eyes and doesn't give her a chance to answer. "Mia, this isn't like one of your extracurricular activities in high school. Choosing a career is a big deal. It's not something that you can just throw yourself into."
"I know that," she hisses at him. "I've thought long and hard about this. I love fashion, and I'm good at coming up with designs. Everyone says so."Her eyes take on a vulnerable look."Jeremy, I really want to do this."
Jeremy cuts her off with a harsh laugh. "Yeah, you want to do this now, Mia, but what about next week? It'll be something else like it always is. You flit from one thing to another and never stick with anything. I don't want to see you wasting money and time signing up for something that you're not even going to want to do next week."
Mia's face falls and tears shimmer in her eyes. Jeremy's words came off pretty harsh.
"I am not a child anymore, Jeremy. You are not my father, and you cannot tell me what to do." Mia's tone is icy even as her voice wobbles. "You know what sucks? I didn't come to you because I knew this is what you would say. I knew you wouldn't believe in me. You always treat me like I'm still a stupid little girl. Well, guess what? I'm not. I'm an adult, and you need to start treating me like one."She shakes her head as the tears spill over and run down her cheeks. "It hurts that my own brother doesn't believe in me and thinks I'm a total flake."
"Mia," Jeremy begins wearily, "that's not what I said."
"You didn't have to say it." Her pain is palpable as she turns and walks into the house, slamming the door behind her
I guess the beach trip is off.
"Fuck!" Jeremy shouts in frustration, scrubbing a hand over his face.He looks at me as if suddenly remembering I'm here."I should go talk to her."
I hold out a hand to stop him. "No offense, bro, but I think you're the last person she wants to talk to right now."
Jeremy's shoulders slump. "You think I should give her some time?"
"Definitely."
He exhales a breath before running a hand through his hair. "I guess I'll go home then. Listen, will you keep an eye on her for me?"
I nod at him. "Always."
His shoulders relax the tiniest bit."Thanks, Stone. I feel better knowing that you're around for her."
I wait for Jeremy to get in his car and leave, and then I march across the yard and up Mia's porch before knocking on her door.There's no way I can leave her alone when she's upset like this. I have to check on her and make sure she's okay.The thought of her upset and crying is like a cloud dimming the sun. Mia should be bright and happy—not downcast.
I'm here to check on her and help her patch things up with her brother.
Nothing more.