I’m not the one who needs an intervention — you are.
You’re the addict, big brother.
You just can’t see it because your drug doesn’t come in a pill or a bottle.
It’s a girl you can’t have, and it’s fucking killing you.
I clear my throat. “I’m glad you’re here. Did I say that already?”
“You might’ve. My memory is a bit hazy.”
“Then, once more for the official record books: I’m happy you’re back home, where you belong.” I reach out and tentatively take her hand in mine. Her skin is ice-cold and far too clammy. “I’m sorry for ever telling you to leave. For making you feel like I didn’t want you in my life. It was a mistake. I was just so blinded by grief, I couldn’t see it. And by the time I pulled myself out of that spiral… you were already long gone.”
Chloe nods. “I understand. Trust me. I’ve made plenty of messes in my own life — drug related and otherwise. You don’t have to apologize to me, E. We’re good.”
“Fine. But can I do one other thing?”
“Depends what it is.”
“Can I be mushy for a second?”
“What do you—oof!” Her question cuts off abruptly as I haul her into my arms. Neither of us is what you’d calltouchy-feely; we’ve only ever hugged a handful of times. But I don’t care about any of that right now. I just tighten my hold, squeezing her until she’s complaining about cracked ribs. Her voice is laced with a laugh, though, so I ignore her protests completely.
We’re still wrapped in an embrace when her bedroom door swings inward. We both turn to look as Carter crosses the threshold. He’s shirtless, his hair still damp from a shower, a pair of dark gray sweatpants slung low on his hips. It takes all my self-control to keep from gaping at the sight of his rippling abdominal muscles.
Christ.
I have a distinct memory of the last time I saw them — specifically, of my mouth tracing each indentation, down down down, a slow path from his sternum to his belly button to his—
“Big brother!” Chloe exclaims, shattering my NSFW thought process. “You’re here too?”
Carter scowls darkly. “Of course I’m here too. Who the fuck do you think hauled you out of that club?”
“Um. Emilia?”
“And who do you think told Emilia you were at that club?”
“Ah.” She smiles wanly. “Well. Thanks for making my humiliation a full family affair. Next time maybe we can just go camping or something, though.”
Crossing his arms over his chest, he gives her a patented look of older sibling disapproval. “Don’t be cute. There’s nothing cute about this situation and you know it, Chloe.”
“Sorry, I wasn’t aware I was being cute. I’ll work on being less adorable starting immediately.”
“I mean it. You aren’t sixteen anymore. You’re an adult. You need to start taking better care of yourself,” he says sternly. “No more benders. No more going off the rails, falling off the wagon. No more of this half-sober, half-hot-mess line you’ve been treading.”
“No more?” She laughs. “Or else… what, exactly? Are you going to take away my bong? Institute a curfew? Am I grounded,Dad?”
Carter’s jaw clenches at her flippancy. “I’m not your father, Chloe, but I might as well be. I am the only person who’s had your back since the day you took your first breath in this world.”
“Isn’t that sort of your obligation as my older brother?” Her nose scrunches. “Aren’t you required by law to be an utter pain in my ass?”
Carter doesn’t even crack a smile. “Just because I’ve been there in the past to clean up your messes doesn’t mean I always will be. How many times do you expect me to stand on the sidelines, waiting to step in when you inevitably decide to destroy yourself?”
She flinches. “If I’m such a burden, just leave already. I don’t need you.”
“That’s rich, given how many times I’ve pulled you back from the brink.” His laugh is so bitter, it almost makes me wince. “You know, if you’re going to keep doing this, you could at least have the decency to let me know in advance, so I know where to send the ambulance.Hey, Carter, I’m planning to do so much blow my heart stops tonight. Should be good for defibrillation around midnight. Tell the paramedics I’ll be on the floor of a vomit-covered stall in the women’s restroom at Club Coriander.”
“You’re such an asshole,” she snaps.