I've been home for a couple of days now. The winter chill clings to everything, wrapping Oak Hill in a heavy blanket of frost, and with it, the sleepy town feels more suffocating than ever. I figured it was time to return, pack a bag, and spend at least a week here. My parents have been nagging me for months, and while the idea of being back under the same roof as my family doesn't scream ideal, it seemed like the right thing to do. One week, I told them. They agreed, but I'm already regretting it.
Two days in, and my brothers, Kayce and Brooks are already testing my patience. Sitting on the edge of my bed, their identical blue eyes locked on me, I know they're about to ask me for a favor. The type of favor that usually drags me into some ridiculous scheme.
Kayce has been the golden boy since the day he picked up a baseball. Scouts have circled him like vultures since freshman year, waiting for the right moment to pounce. But after what seemed like an eternity of indecision, my brother finally chose his path. The question was whether he'd go straight to the MLB or spend a few years in college before taking the plunge. After many sleepless nights and discussions that stretched on longer than they should've, he opted for college—shocking our parents, and everyone else, in the process.
The decision wasn't what surprised us, though. It was his choice to stay here, in Oak Hill. With all the D1 schools knocking on his door, begging for him, offering scholarships, opportunities that any high school athlete would die for, he decided to remain at our parents' alma mater.
It was unexpected, but there was also a part of us that was secretly relieved. If he had gone out of state, we all feared we'd lose him to that fast-paced, big city life, and we'd rarely see him again. Still, I thought maybe his staying would help get mom and dad off my back a little.
But that was a foolish hope.
"Nola, come on. Be the best sister you are and help us out here!" Brooks pleads, his voice just short of whiny.
I narrow my eyes, wondering why on earth they've dragged me into this conversation. "What makes you think I'm going to help convince mom and dad of whatever this is?" I shoot back. "You know how they are with me!"
Kayce, ever the mastermind, is unfazed by my annoyance. He's moving out, that much is clear, but what caught me off guard was that he plans to take Brooks with him.
"Look," Kayce says, his tone serious. "I just need a little support. You've already moved out, so you can vouch for how much better it is not living under their roof. They'll listen to you."
I let out an exasperated breath, shaking my head. "I moved out because I go to school in Los Angeles, Kayce. You're literally going to school here. It's different. Stay home, save money."
He rolls his eyes at me, clearly annoyed that I don't see things his way. "I'll make more money in the MLB than they'll spend on rent for the next ten years. This isn't about money, Nola. I just... I can't stay here another four years. I'm growing up." There's a plea buried in his words, though his expression remains defiant.
A part of me understands exactly where he's coming from. By the time I hit my senior year, I was itching to get out of here too. Oak Hill has that effect, it suffocates you, ties you down with invisible threads. So I left, choosing a school on the opposite side of the country, as far away from this small-town life as I could get.
But then, there's Brooks. He's fifteen, practically a kid. And the idea of him moving out with Kayce seems insane.
"Kayce, you know mom and dad aren't going to let you take our fifteen year old brother with you, right? That's a huge stretch," I tell him, crossing my arms as I watch their hopeful expressions falter for just a second.
Kayce shrugs, unbothered. "Brooks doesn't have to come if they won't let him. I'm fine moving out alone."
At this, Brooks' eyes widen, and his hands clutch Kayce's arm in desperation. "What? No! It's both of us or nothing, Kayc!"
Oh, lord. This is escalating quickly. Brooks is nothing if not persistent, and if he's got his heart set on something, there's no changing his mind. He'll fight tooth and nail until he gets what he wants.
I sigh, rubbing my temples. "Brooks, why are you even involved in this? You're a sophomore. You've got it easy. Stay home, enjoy being a kid while you still can."
Brooks spins on me, shaking his head as if I just said the most ridiculous thing ever. "I'm not staying here with just Foster and Kiersten! You know that'll suck. I'm supposed to be having the time of my life, not sneaking out every night!"
Kayce's eyebrows shoot up. "You're not moving out just to get into trouble, Brooks."
Brooks scoffs, a look of indignation on his face. "Oh, please. Like you were an angel in high school. Uncle Rhys taught me how to shotgun a beer, okay? I've got skills."
My jaw drops, but Kayce just shakes his head. "Jesus, Brooks."
Leave it to Uncle Rhys to be the bad influence. Of course, he taught me a few party tricks too, but that's a different story.
"Wait, wait," I interject. "Since when did you start drinking? I thought your fifteenth birthday was your first time."
Brooks shrugs, looking way too casual for my liking. "Beer, maybe. Not vodka. That was new."
I blink in disbelief, while Kayce stifles a grin. This is spiraling fast.
"If you move out, you'll be an alcoholic by seventeen," I groan.
"He won't."
"I won't!" Brooks echoes, defiant.
Kayce leans in, his expression softening for just a moment. "Sis, just this once. Help us out. If they say no, we'll drop it. But if you ever do anything for me, let it be this."
The familiar sibling plea tugs at something in me, and after a long moment of hesitation, I let out a sigh of defeat. "Fine. But just this one time. If they don't say yes tonight, you're on your own."
My brothers exchange a victorious high-five as we hear the front door swing open, followed by dad's booming voice. "Dinner's here!"
Kayce grins. "Game time."
---
Dinner is a quiet affair. Mom and Dad brought home food from Killian's, our favorite local restaurant. The clink of utensils fills the room as we eat in relative silence. My brothers haven't made a peep about their grand plan yet, but I can feel Kayce's impatience growing beside me. His knee bumps into mine, and when I glance at him, he nods, a silent signal. It's time.
"Mom, Dad," Kayce starts, his voice casual. Too casual. My parents turn to him, giving him their undivided attention. "I've been thinking about next year. College and stuff. I know it's early, but I've been looking at some off-campus apartments for the fall. I haven't found anything yet, but Dad, I was wondering if you could help me out with that."
There's a pause, as my mom's brows furrow in confusion. "Wait, what? I thought you were staying in Oak Hill?"
"I am," Kayce replies smoothly. "But I'm still moving out. And... well, I want Brooks to come with me."
Mom's fork clatters against her plate. "I'm sorry?" Dad's face stiffens, and I can see the gears turning in his head. "You can't be serious."
Before they can explode, Kayce presses on. "Just hear me out. We'll still be in Oak Hill, close to home. We'll probably be here every day anyway, so it's not like we're disappearing. I just need my own space. I'm eighteen, and I'll be off to the MLB soon enough. This would be good for me, good for both of us. Nola's done fine on her own."
Kayce throws me a quick glance, and I know what he's asking. I take a deep breath before adding my voice to the mix. "Yeah, I mean, college has been good for me. And like Kayce said, they'll still be around a lot. It's not like they're moving to another city."
My parents' expressions remain dubious, but they're listening. Kayce presses his advantage.
"And Brooks?" Mom stammers, her voice shaky. "Why does he have to go too? He's just a baby."
Brooks groans. "I'm fifteen, Mom. Not a baby."
My dad sets down his glass with a loud clink, his eyes narrowing as he turns to Brooks. "You want to move out too?"
"No!" both my parents say in unison, their voices firm.
But Brooks, ever the stubborn one, doesn't back down. "Mom, Dad, listen. Kayce needs me. We've always been together. I promise I'll be here all the time. I don't even know how to cook