Half truth

“Which is why you’re going to be taking pictures of sports instead of writing actual content.”

I paused in front of my door, with my key midway to the lock. Under any other circumstance, using my family name might work in my favor. Even in this case, it may have worked in my favor, but who knows. She was letting me get in on the action despite not having applied for a position there. Still, my brother’s tone, as bored and matter-of-fact as he sounded, bothered me.

“I did tell her who my father is, but guess who she dated in college? Dad. And guess who screwed her over? Dad,” I said, pushing the key into the lock and turning it. “She was dating Dad when he met Mom.”

“So she’s punishing you for Dad’s actions.” Lincoln snorted. “Just when I think I can’t hate him any more than I already do.”

“Lincoln.” My eyes widened. That was the only thing he actually did talk about these days—his hatred toward our father. “You’re living under his roof again.”

“Not by choice. Besides, he’s never home anyway. I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t know I’m here.”

“Stop saying things like that.”

“Whatever, Mae. He’s an asshole and that lady tried to put you in charge of fashion,” he said. “So, fuck her too.”

“Well, I’m not going to argue that sentiment.” I bit back a laugh, because it was the most Lincoln-thing he’d said since the accident. He responded with a laugh of his own, which made me smile wider.

“What do you think dad will say now that you got another job with another paper after he specifically told you to forget about that dream?”

“I don’t know.” I set my bags down on the counter and cradled the phone on my shoulder as I undid the straps of my wedges. “He’s the one paying for school and you know he wants all of us to work in one of his businesses, so he’ll probably scream at me, but what’s he going to do? March over here and make me quit the school newspaper?”

“Are you asking? Because I wouldn’t put it past him.”

“Lincoln.” I sighed. “I’m trying to think of what else has happened since I’ve been here. Oh. I bumped into some guy today. He was really mean about it.”

“Want me to go beat him up?”

“Would you come back here to do that for me?”

“I wouldn’t go back there for anything.”

His words stung even though I tried not to let them. I stayed quiet for a moment, hoping he’d add to that statement, wishing I hadn’t been so stubborn and followed a boyfriend to another state instead of attending here with my brother. He would’ve finished a year ahead of me, but that would have been okay. At least I would know what happened to him and maybe help him somehow.

“How was your day at the psychologist’s office?”

“Same.”

“You need to talk about it, Linc,” I said, finally. “If you won’t speak to a professional, at least tell me. I’m supposed to be your best friend.”

“If I could talk to anyone about it, it would be you. Just stay out of trouble. I have to go.”

“Okay, I—”

He hung up before I could tell him I loved him. My shoulder slumped. Whatever happened to him here had turned him into a different person and I refused to let it go until I found out what it was.