Chapter Thirty-Eight
Declan
“There’s your amazing big brother,” Mom gushes, passing me Grace. “Say congratulations on becoming the big boss of the bar.”
She wiggles my sister’s hand in celebration, her big brown eyes lighting up with delight as she giggles in my arms.
“What a way to start off the new year,” Holly says, tipping her glass at me. “I’m so pleased for you, honey. Cooper was so happy when we spoke to him about it last week.”
Would have been nice if he replied and told me that himself…
But I don’t say that. Instead, I smile, because it feels safer than opening a door that would drag our parents into something that isn’t theirs to fix. Keeping my gaze on Grace as she blows spit bubbles, I ask, “When are you guys heading out?”
“Are you sure you don’t mind staying in to babysit?” Mom asks again for the umpteenth time. “Shouldn’t you be out celebrating New Years like every other twenty-two-year-old?”
Sure. If every other twenty-two-year-old felt as hollow as I do.
“And miss this time with my sister?” I say, tickling her belly. “Go out and have fun. I’ll be fine.”