Page 72 of Chasing Hope

“You could say that.”

Wrinkling my nose, I fake a gag. “Just don’t be making me an auntie yet.”

Now it’s my brothers turn to gag. “Don’t worry, sis, I’m safe.”

“Please tell me you’re doing more than just partying and…”

“Fucking,” he supplies.

“I was trying to avoid that word, you moron, but yes.”

Running a hand through his shaggy blonde hair, he gives me a lop-sided grin. “For sure.”

“I’ll take that as a no.”

“I’m just living life!”

At least one of us is.

As if he heard my thoughts, his expression sobers. “How’s everything going? Matteo’s taking care of you, right?”

Leaning back on the couch, I dip my chin, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear.

Maybe I should cut my hair. Hair holds memories, right?

“He’s taking care of me. Everything is good here. I actually applied for a new job.” The last bit is rushed out in an exhale.

Caleb’s brows shoot up into his hair line. “No shit. Another financing gig?”

Biting my lip, I murmur, “Not exactly, no.” Sighing, I avoid his gaze, that nervous flutter in my stomach appearing once more.What if I fail the academy?“I’ve actually applied for a training position in the dispatcher academy.”

Caleb stops, searching my gaze, and he must see how nervous I am, or perhaps takes it for excitement. Because in the next breath, a smile stretches across his cheeks, and I’m not ashamed to admit I feel relief as he hoots, “Fuck yes! That would be sick, V! When do you start?”

“I’m not sure if I got into the academy, and I’m not entirely sure what their process is for selection, but I should know within a few days if I start training next week.”

Whistling low, the smile remains on his face. “I’m proud of you.”

“Yeah?”

He nods, the view of Milos in the background making me yearn to hop on a plane. “Of course I’m proud. It’s no easy feat starting a new career in your late twenties, never mind that you’re kind of…well…”

“Starting from scratch in everything?”

His lips flatten. “Yeah, which I’m really sorry about. I don’t think I’ve said it enough. What happened wasn’t deserved.”

And he doesn’t even know the half of it.

Shaking his head, Caleb goes on. “Nevertheless, you’re taking life by the balls and starting over and you should be proud of that. Not a lot of people could do it.”

“Well, took me a bit of time to try and stand again.”

“At least you’re standing,” he points out.

I smile, a blush creeping along my cheeks at his incessant compliments.God, I missed my brother.

Carter hated him with a passion, and that’s because Caleb saw right through his bullshit and called him out on it. Every time we saw him, it would be hell for me after. Not that I’d ever be able to tell Caleb that—the guilt would eat him alive.

And not only that, he would interfere.