Campus Hottie (Campus)

That statement is enough to have hot tears pricking the backs of my eyes. “I know that too, Bray.” Carefully, I return the silver frame to its home on the bookshelf. “And I realize that everything you’ve done comes from a place of love, but sometimes it feels like you’re smothering me.”

Guilt flashes across his face.

“It would have been nice to have a boyfriend in high school. No one would even look twice at me because they were so afraid of you. And it’s been the same at Western. You need to back off and let me live my life. I’m more than capable of taking care of myself, Bray.” There’s a pause before I force out the rest. “Haven’t I just proven that?”

He stiffens, fury igniting in his eyes as his hands tighten at his sides. “I swear to god that if—”

I shake my head. “I don’t want to talk about how the situation with Dr. Holloway will play out. My point is that he tried to do something I didn’t want, and I handled him on my own.” I press a hand to my chest. “I know who I am and what I want. I didn’t let him take advantage of me. You need to trust that I can protect myself and make good decisions.”

The anger that had flared to life so easily moments ago drains away, and his voice softens. “I do trust you, it’s everyone else I have a problem with.”

“Dad wouldn’t have wanted you to keep me safely protected in a bubble. He would have wanted me to experience all that life has to offer and be confident in my own abilities to handle whatever situation comes my way. You don’t have to worry so much.”

He releases a steady puff of air. “That’s kind of difficult to do. You’re my kid sister, and I’ve spent my entire life looking out for you.”

“I know, but you’re going to have to back off eventually. Next year, you won’t be around to take care of me. Take a few steps back and give me a chance to prove that I can handle myself.”

He drags a hand through his dark hair before gazing out the large picture window that overlooks the front lawn. “It’s not that I think you’re helpless or incompetent. I just...” His voice trails off, and for a long stretch of moments, silence fills the air before his gaze returns to mine. “I don’t want to let Dad down.”

That’s all it takes for me to close the distance between us and slip my arms around his ribcage. “You could never do that. You’ve taken care of this family the best you could. Don’t forget that you were only seventeen when he died. Way too young for that kind of responsibility.”

His arms band around me, squeezing me tight. “I’ll try to do better in the future, okay, squirt?”

“That’s all I can ask for.”

“So, about you and Carson...”

When his voice trails off, I pull back until I can search his face.

He shrugs. “I’m cool with it.”

My brows rise. “Really?” That’s the last thing I was expecting him to say.

He glances away before murmuring, “Yeah. I’m good if you two want to, you know, date.”

Another wave of shock crashes over me. I can’t believe I’m actually hearing these words fall from his lips. Especially when he was so vehemently opposed to it. Until that terrible morning at the cabin, I’d never seen the two of them have so much as a disagreement. I didn’t think there was anything that could drive a wedge in their friendship.

“What changed your mind?”

“He’s a good guy.” There’s a pause before he tacks on, “And he really cares about you.”

My heart swells with love as I pull him in for another embrace. “Thank you.”

“All I want is for you to be happy, and if Carson does that, then I don’t want to stand in the way of your relationship.”

For the first time since the morning he barged into the cabin, a genuine smile spreads across my lips before I stretch onto the tips of my toes and press a kiss against my brother’s cheek. “I love you, Bray.”

“Right back at you, squirt,” he says with a smirk. “Now, I’m not saying it won’t take time to get used to seeing you two together.”

I nod. Totally understandable. “We’ll try our best not to make out in front of you.”

He scrunches his nose. “Don’t even joke about that.”

A chuckle escapes from me before I grab his hand and tow him from the room. It feels so good to finally hash everything out. We’ve always been close, and not talking to him on a daily basis was difficult. Once we return to the kitchen, my gaze settles on Carson, who sits at the island with a plate of stroganoff in front of him.