Chapter 8: When Little Brothers Grow Up

NADIA

It was our last day here at Lover’s Orchard, and I had to admit I’d enjoyed my time here. Now Theo and I were sitting quietly in our room, working on our article.

~For someone who doesn’t travel, Lover’s Orchard has been a great transition. The small inn, along with its innkeeper, Mabel, makes for a unique getaway.~

~The small-town charm is strong, but the town’s beauty holds its own. From the beach to the shops to couples’ activities, there is plenty that can be done in a week.~

~You will check in as strangers, but you’ll check out feeling like you’re saying bye to a family member.~

There was so much more I wanted to say about this place.

I wished I could openly talk about my fake relationship and how this place was getting me to see Theo differently. I couldn’t talk about how the guy sitting a few feet away came across as a jackass during his first impression but eventually wormed his way into your life with his charm.

“Are you still heading home this weekend?” Theo asked.

“I am; where are you going?”

“I just bought a ticket to see my brothers and sister,” he said. “Etta wouldn’t leave me alone, so I figured now is a good time.”

“You’ll have fun. You have a nephew you haven’t met yet.”

“It will be fun, and Caroline is old enough to interact with, so I know it will be worthwhile,” he said. “The plan is I’ll meet you at the airport in Iowa. I have a flight that should be there an hour before yours, so I’ll wait in the baggage claim area for you on Monday.”

“Sounds good.”

***

When Theo and I separated at the airport and had to go to our gates, I felt a small wave of sadness, which took me by surprise. Maybe I felt this way because I spent a week with him; maybe the feeling would go away after spending a few days with Nathan.

The flight home wasn’t as calming without Theo, but I made it and was ready to see my brother. Jay’s mom assured me he was doing well, but I needed to see it with my own eyes, so when I met him after school and he looked happy and healthy, I was relieved.

One thing, among a load of other things that I loved about my brother, was that he wasn’t embarrassed by me. He gave me a hug when he approached me and didn’t care that it was in front of his friends.

“I missed you, Nadia.”

“I missed you too.”

“How long are you home for?”

“I leave again on Monday. How about we go get some pizza, and we catch up?”

“I’ll never say no to pizza.”

Nathan and I made the trip across town to our favorite pizza place. We didn’t eat out often; I preferred our money to be spent on groceries that could last longer than fast food could, but it had been a week, and it was a good reason to splurge a little.

“Tell me about your week. How was school, anything new going on?”

“School is school, but it’s been fun staying with Jay. How is Theo?”

“He’s good. He’s visiting family for the next two days.”

“Do you like him?”

“No!… I mean no.”

“It’s okay if you do. He seems cool, and he might be good for you. You always put yourself last, and it makes me feel bad because I know raising me isn’t easy.”

“But I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“And I love you for that, but I want you to be happy, Nadia.”

“I am, and when did my little bro get so wise?”

“I’m not little anymore.”

Nathan was right. He wasn’t little anymore.

He was growing into a man, and I was going to have to give him space.

“There is this girl at school that I like. Her name is Felicity.”

“That’s a nice name. Tell me about her.”

“Well, she’s smart, kind, and pretty.”

I liked how he listed smart and kind before pretty. I hoped it meant he wasn’t going to be a shallow teenage guy.

“Are you going to ask her out?”

“No, she doesn’t like me that way.”

“How do you know?”

“She has been hanging around another boy from school.”

“That doesn’t mean they’re dating or that she doesn’t like you.”

“I think I’ll pass for now.”

My brother’s cheeks were turning red, and I knew he was getting embarrassed. I changed the subject.

“So, I was thinking that tonight you could show me how to play that game you and Theo were talking about.”

“Yes! I knew you were cool, but Theo is bringing it out of you.”

Nathan had been doing well without me. I realized I may have been too protective of him. Maybe this assignment would be good for us.