Free The Day That Saved Us by Mindy Hayes

be back soon.” Brodee motions us to follow him back inside. “C’mon. You can put your stuff in my room.”
     

     
    “SO, SKYLAR,” NICK says as we’re gathered around the dining table, eating the pizza they brought from Rocco’s. “You’re heading to USC with Peyton and Harper?”
    “Yes, sir.” Skylar wipes at the corner of his mouth, biting on his lip ring nervously. I can already see where this is headed.
    “Have you decided on your major?”
    Oh, the dreaded major talk. As soon as we decide to go to college we’re automatically supposed to know what we want to do with the rest of our lives? I plan on changing my major at least three times. Maybe four. Maybe even five just because I can. How am I supposed to know at eighteen years old what career path is the one for me? It’s too much pressure.
    “Uh, right now I have it as computer science. I’m pretty tech savvy, so I’ll see where it takes me.”
    “Good choice. Maybe you can do some web design for Brodee when he gets his law degree and opens his own firm. He’ll need a tech savvy guy like you to help him out with all his computer issues.” Nick winks at Brodee while chewing his food.
    Nick and I get along. I love the guy like family, but sometimes the way he talks about Brodee’s future like it’s his own, or like Brodee doesn’t have a say, rubs me the wrong way. Especially when I look at Brodee and can’t read his expression. Is he agreeing with Nick? Does he resent him ever? Does he even want to be a lawyer? Duke was a bit of a joint decision. How about law? Does he want to follow in Nick’s footsteps? I can’t picture Brodee being a lawyer. He’s too laid back for that. Too much of a peacemaker. I don’t want him to choose a career that will change him.
    “All right.” Mom pushes herself away from the table and stands, clapping her hands together. “Enough with the college talk. I’m done thinking about my baby leaving home. Shall we play a game of cards?”
    “I’ll go get a few decks, and we can play Hand and Foot,” Tatum says and points to us. “Children, clear the table, please. It’s about to get competitive.”
     

     
    THE SKY IS clear tonight. Hardly a cloud in sight. I feel him. Cloudless skies make me feel like it’s a little easier for my dad to watch over us. Nothing is there to hinder the pathway.
    After we played cards with the family, the four of us decided to veg on the roof.
    “That’s cool that your parents are so close,” Skylar says, looping his arm around Harper on the recliner they share.
    “Oh, yeah,” I say, blinking away the moisture in my eyes, grateful for a distraction. “My mom and Nick go way back. They grew up together in the same church and went to the same schools. Even went to college together. Nick is actually the one who introduced my mom to my dad.”
    “Really? That’s sweet,” Harper says. “How come I didn’t know that?”
    I shrug and look back up into the night. “I guess I never mentioned it. My dad and Nick were roommates their freshman year of college. Just fell into place from there. And Nick met Tate shortly after that. So, they all go way back.”
    “Pete and I were doomed from the start,” Brodee says. His tone is light.
    I shove his shoulder. “You’re blessed to have me in your life. You. Are. Welcome.”
    He laughs. “Yeah. I guess.”
    “We hitting the waves tomorrow?” Skylar asks Brodee.
    “Yeah, man. There’s going to be some sweet surfing in Buxton. It’s only like fifteen minutes from here.”
    Brodee and Skylar talk over Harper and me in the middle. She leans into me. “You going to invite Tyler?”
    “Why would I?”
    “Oh, I dunno, because you’re totally into each other.”
    “Well, yeah, but we don’t have to do everything together. Should I invite him? You don’t think it would be weird?”
    “Invite who?” Skylar interrupts us.
    “Peyton’s boy toy,” Harper replies.
    “You have a boy toy?”
    “Can we not refer to him as