Page 14 of Princess and Country

Two weeks later

A soft knock on my door startled me. I raised my eyes from my computer screen and pivoted in my chair. Carter appeared in the doorway.

“Hey, can I come in?”

“Sure,” I said, forcing my brooding away. “How are things going?”

“Great. Is something wrong? You’re never home, and it’s like you’re avoiding me. Did I do anything to piss you off?”

I motioned for Carter to sit on my bed. I missed my brother. We barely ever fought. We’d always been like twins, born three years apart. I hated the idea he thought I was upset with him. All I wanted was to stay as far away as possible from him and Dahlia. For all our sakes.

“Got a lot on my mind. I haven’t picked a college yet, and Mom is on my back about it. She wants me to get a college education before enlisting or doing whatever else I’m supposed to do.”

“What do you want to do?”

“I don’t know. Maybe getting away from here is the right thing to do.” I dropped my head on my desk with a loud thud.

“It can’t be that hard. Pick a college, get Mom and Dad off your back, then take the time to decide.”

“Maybe you’re right. I’m sorry I’ve been distant.”

Concern took over Carter’s eyes. “Are you serious about the Army stuff, though? I’m not sure it suits you.”

I lifted my head from my desk and shrugged. “Yes. No. I’m not sure either. Maybe I could do some good, you know? Change the world or something. It’s not really about the Army, but more about helping people who might need it. Be part of something—”

Before my brother could say another word, I rose to my feet and grabbed him in a headlock. He let out a laugh and started wrestling me. We fell on the bed, both of us holding tight to each other. Carter had shot up over four inches in the last year. He now neared the six-foot-five mark. I was three inches shorter but broader than him, so it compensated for my lack of height.

“I’ll drive you to the restaurant on Saturday night. Tell Dahlia she can come along if she wants.”

My brother let go of me. “Thanks, man. I appreciate it. You should apply to be our road manager. I’m sure you’d be good at it. I might even get you a ‘number one fan’ title ribbon to wear to every show. Something bright pink with glitter and flashing lights.”

“You’re so stupid,” I said, unable to stop laughing. My younger brother had a knack for improving my mood. “How about I treat you to burgers instead?”

“With milkshake and Cajun fries?”

“I wouldn’t offer anything less,” I said with a wink.

“Count me in. I’ll meet you downstairs in fifteen.”

Carter exited my room, and I exhaled all the angst filling my lungs.

Thirty minutes later, we were seated in a booth at the back of Bryce’s Burgers. The place was filled with young families and teenagers. The walls were painted in some royal shade of blue, and the ceiling was a light shade of silver. Surfboards—which didn’t make sense in the middle of Tennessee—were hung on the walls. Palm trees with wrapped-around lights framed the entrance.

The staff behind the counter wore colorful leis and bright red shirts with exotic birds on them. The place looked festive. No country music or a Southern feeling here. It looked straight from 1980s California instead. Our parents had been bringing Carter and me here since we were kids. It was one of our favorite spots in town.

“So, who are you taking to prom?” Carter asked, pushing a handful of fries inside his mouth, chewing as he spoke.

“Man, you’re gross.”

“Any name? I heard there were at least ten girls who asked you to go with them already. Did you pick one?”

I shook my head. “There’s only one girl I want to ask to prom. But I’m not sure she’ll agree to be my date.”

“Who is she? Anyone I know?”

I shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. I won’t ask her.”

“Since when do you chicken out?”