Bad Seed

“Not a kid anymore, Bry,” I said with a roll of my eyes.

“You always will be to me,” he replied.

Bethany and Bryan had started dating when they were sixteen. I was in kindergarten at the time. Bryan had been around ever since. He was just as much my big brother as Bethany was my sister.

“How’s work?” Bryan asked. “Any new scoops for me?”

“Not yet,” I said. “I have a Skype interview on Monday morning with this new online journal. Keep your fingers crossed for me.”

“You’ll get it,” my dad said brightly.

“I hope so.” My stomach twitched again. The last thing I wanted to do was focus on work right now.

“You will,” Bethany said confidently. “You’re the ultimate success story. You’ve never failed at anything in your life.”

I rolled my eyes but didn’t say anything. Bethany, more than anyone, knew that wasn’t true. Still, it was nice of her to say so.

“Don’t get her hopes up,” my mother said from the kitchen. I jerked my head up to see her watching me with reproachful eyes. “If she doesn’t get it, she’ll only be more disappointed.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” I said without thinking.

“I’m just being realistic, honey,” Mom said. “Someone has to be.”

I nodded and looked down at my shoes. I’d only been in the house five minutes, and already, my mom was on my case.

“Anyway,” Bethany said loudly. “How’s Ennis? I need to get down there and see your new house!”

“You do,” I said, grateful for the subject change. “But before we talk about that, where’s my niece?”

“She’s napping,” Bryan said. “She should be up soon, though.”

“Ugh, can’t we wake her?” I begged.

“Only if you want to deal with the tantrum that will ensue,” Bethany said with a laugh.

“I’d rather not,” I said, laughing along with her. Bryan and Dad joined in easily, but Mom barely cracked a smile.

“Can I help with anything?” Bethany asked. She hurried into the kitchen, but Mom shooed her away quickly.

“Go entertain your sister,” Mom said. “Your dad can help me.”

“I suppose I can,” Dad said. He squeezed my shoulder as he passed by.

Bethany raised her eyebrows at me and linked her arm with mine. Without a word, she led me outside to the backyard. Bryan followed close behind.

We stepped into the backyard and, immediately, my entire body sank. I sighed deeply and practically collapsed onto a patio chair.

“What the hell was that about?” Bethany demanded, pulling up a chair beside me. Bryan followed suit.

“Mom’s still pissed about my move to Ennis,” I said. “She thinks it was a mistake.”

“Well,” Bethany said. “Screw her. You have to do what’s best for you, right?”

I met my sister’s eyes. Her expression was a little too understanding. She knew all about my breakup with Joshua. Other than Andrea, Beth was my biggest advocate when it came to leaving Dallas. She knew just how much the breakup had torn me apart.

Still, Joshua was the last person I wanted to talk about. I quickly changed the subject, asking questions about Layla until her sweet cry rang through the baby monitor.

“She’s up!” Bryan announced, unnecessarily.