Selfish Preach reared his ugly head on my left shoulder, thinking how it might be nice if Grace didn’t go away to basic training and then onto the Air Force. Boyfriend Material Preach, on my other shoulder, brutally rebuffed the thought, though.
It was her dream to be in the Air Force, carrying on her family’s legacy, honoring her brother’s memory. I had no right bucking that.
I shook the warring Preaches off my shoulder and took a drink of my Pepsi.
“Willow said that Grace kind of reminded her of herself, when she first ruptured her Achilles. Angry, defensive.” Brodie nodded toward me. “In denial.”
“What would she do? She told me she’s rejected every college scout who has approached her about running track for them, and now I’m sure it’s too late.” I stepped closer to the fire to warm my hands. “What if there aren’t any options left?”
“According to Willow, Grace shot any talk of doing something else down. It’s not an option. She’s going into the Air Force.”
“Sounds like Grace. She’s another Willow when it comes to strength and coming back from an injury.”
“You’re not wrong, and I really hope she makes a full recovery.” Brodie nudged me with his elbow and said, “What about you, bro? How are you doing with all that shit going on with your mom?”
My stomach dropped a little, and shame burned my cheeks. I shook it off, though. This was Brodie asking. My best friend. The only friend I’d talked with about my mom’s issues.
“I’m okay. I mean, I hear the whispers.”
“Who?” Brodie tensed.
“Pax’s dad. Drunk. Blabbermouth. Man, that guy’s a mess.”
“This town.” Brodie shook his head.
Yeah, he got it for sure. When his dad had gotten arrested, that was the talk of the town for weeks, even months.
“So, what about after graduation? Any ideas yet?”
“No clue. It’s weird, because I’ve had everything in place so long. I’m not even sure where to start.”
“You thinking about college, though? Around here, maybe?”
“Or a gap year.” Nobody was in earshot, but I still leaned toward Brodie. “There’s no money for college. With Mom’s debt still getting paid off, I’m not sure we’d even qualify for loans.”
“That sucks, I’m sorry.” He dipped his head, then sipped some soda. “Is your mom doing okay? I mean with the gambling stuff?”
I shrugged. “I think so? She’s going to meetings. Has a sponsor. She looks a little better, too.”
“She does. Man, that’s tough. Never thought gambling could be like a drug, you know? Like my dad’s drinking and stuff.”
“Yeah, even though you’re notliterallytaking in a drug, you still get the ups and downs, the rushes and highs. Evidently it can be pretty addicting. I’m learning more than I bargained for about all this stuff.”
Brodie took another sip of his soda. “I’m right there with you.”
Being the son of someone who ran a Ponzi scheme and stole millions of dollars from people, some from town here, too, was tough. And to lose everything…yeah, Brodie got me better than anyone.
“You’ll figure it out, though, Preach. I’ll help.”
A round of clapping started off to the side. Sam and Grace strode up to the campfire. I heard Grace laugh when Nathaniel said something to her.
“Oh great. What are your teammates saying to her?”
“Myteammates?” Brodie smacked my arm. “Ourteammates, man. For always!”
“You sap.” I ducked out of his reach, then hustled toward Grace, with him close behind me.
She faced me, and her smile widened.Holy Track Cleatsthat just made my Friday night—no, my week—that I could be the reason for a smile like that on a face already so beautiful.