Foster smirks. “Totally backwashed in that.”
Asshole. I flip him the bird and let the last bit still in my mouth trickle back into the bottle. Then I recap it and put it back in the fridge.
“You’re disgusting,” Foster says as he steps around me, grabs the bottle, and tosses it in the sink.
“Someone has to keep you on your toes.”
“Don’t worry, Zach’s got that covered.”
“You excited about him moving up here?”
“I’m pumped. This year is …” He shakes his head. “Training has been rough, fitting in with a new team has been a challenge, and then coming home and missing him made it so much harder.”
I’m not happy that it’s been a struggle, but it makes me see all my Foster has it so easy complaints and resentment for what it is: me being unhappy with my life.
“I owe you an apology,” I say.
Foster’s eyebrows shoot up.
“You don’t need to act that surprised.”
“I am surprised. Sorry about what?” Then his eyes narrow. “What did you do?”
I snort. “Nothing. Well, I mean, not totally nothing. But you know how Dad’s sort of been obsessed with your career to the point I kind of …” How do I word this?
“You don’t get any recognition for everything you’re doing with your life?”
“Exactly that. Well, I kind of … there’s always been resentment toward you because of how easy I’ve thought you’ve had it.”
Foster purses his lips. “I know. Well, I didn’t know know, but I’ve suspected. I’ve tried not to be an asshole about it.”
I sigh. “I’m the asshole, okay? It’s not like I’ve been jealous of your hockey talent or Zach falling in love with you, or any of that. I don’t want your life. But … I do sometimes think it would’ve been easier if I was more like you.”
“Well, I am awesome.”
“Sure you are. But now that I’ve gotten all of that off my chest, just know that my irrational and misplaced resentment doesn’t mean I don’t love you. You’re the best brother I could ask for.”
“Sorry, what? Wait, can I take my phone out and record that?”
“You’re an idiot.”
“I am that. But hey, listen, I do have a bit of a favor,” Foster says. “While we’re on the topic of things we want to say but maybe shouldn’t.”
“Shoot.”
“You know I love Cohen, but he’s a bit … he doesn’t always think things through. I made him an offer last night that he’ll probably never get again, and he turned me down.”
I frown. “What offer?”
“There’s an assistant PR position with the team. I thought it would be perfect for him, and he looked super interested, but then he said he couldn’t and wouldn’t tell me why. If he wants it, he needs to make a move now. You’ve gotta talk to him.”
“You want me to talk Richie … into moving here?”
Foster must sense something in my tone. “Look, I know it’s shitty for you guys. The long-distance thing is hard, but Zach and I have proved it can be done. These jobs are rare. If I wasn’t on the team, he never would’ve known about it because they fill really fast. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime.”
I swallow, my throat suddenly feeling thick. “Then why would he turn that down?”
“Family?” He eyes me. “You?”
Me? I glance over and watch Richie through the glass as he laughs at something Zach says.
With Richie graduating in two months, I have to face that very soon, we’ll need to talk about what happens next. He’s always borrowing my laptop to look up jobs and moaning when there’s nothing.
Jacobs and Beck made him a good offer, one that will keep him close to UVM, but if what Jacobs has told me is to be believed, there’s still a good year or two until they launch—if they launch at all. What’s Richie going to do? Get a job in a coffee shop and wait around? Move back home?
If he rejected this opportunity because of me … I can’t let him walk away from it that easily.
“He has to do it,” I whisper.
“There’re no guarantees,” Foster quickly adds. “But if he gets in fast, he’s got a good chance.”
This would be perfect for him. Except the part where he, Foster, and Zach will all be in Montreal, and I’ll be left in Vermont. He’d be moving two hours away and working for the same organization as my brother.
My heart twinges.
The thought of losing him kills me.
But he said no.
He said no to something he could actually be passionate about, and the only reason I can come up with is me. Of course it’s me. I’ve never been with anyone who put my feelings first, but Richie has done it from the beginning.
Can I really let my issues get in the way of his dream career?
Am I that selfish?