Grant worked his normal hours up until Christmas Eve, and then he and Reagan spent all their time together. He was determined to give her a holiday to remember when she went back to school. He hated that she felt so homesick when she was gone, but he knew she was in good hands with her friends. They cooked Christmas Eve dinner together and sat on the couch looking at the tree they’d put up earlier in the month.

“I can’t believe I have to go back in a little over a week. It’s been great being back here with you.”

Grant’s arm was already around her shoulder, so he gave her a squeeze. “You belong there, Ray. You’re too smart and capable to be stuck here with me working in a dead-end job.”

Reagan felt more than a momentary flash of guilt. He was only stuck there because of her. “Do you ever wish you’d had more choices?”

“No.” He answered so quickly that she didn’t fully believe him, but then he sighed. “Yes, sometimes. I wouldn't have enjoyed college, but trade school would have been beneficial.” He leaned into her side. “But I wouldn't give up what we had for anything. I wanted to raise you and watch you grow into this beautiful young woman.”

“I know you did. You know I appreciate everything you sacrificed for me, but I can’t help feeling guilty sometimes that you gave up everything to make my life easier.”

“Not everything. I have you.”

She snorted. “You don’t even have me now. I’m away more than I’m home.”

“This isn’t more of your great advice about how I need to date, is it?” He straightened up but kept his arm around his sister. He didn't want another discussion about his lack of a lovelife.

“No.” She laughed when he gave her a doubtful look. “I promise. I just meant that you can go to school now if you want. You can do anything you want, now that you don’t have to worry about me so much.”

Grant hummed. “I suppose. I just don’t know what I would do if I had the option. I’ve spent years doing the same thing day and night.”

“You mean stuck in a rut.”

“Yeah, I guess that’s what I mean.”

“Maybe it’s something to think about, but it doesn't have to be tonight.” Reagan snuggled into his side again and inhaled his scent. It was the simple smell of male soap. “What did you get me?”

He laughed, good and loud. “You’ll have to wait until tomorrow to find out.”

The following morning, she was pleased with the books and the necklace he got her. She’d gotten him a subscription to a car magazine and new work boots. They spent that day together, enjoying each others company, being a family, and it felt as comfortable as every day she’d lived there growing up. It was easy to be together, to find things to do and not be bored. It was exactly what Reagan needed to recharge and be ready to go back to a new semester of college.

Though she loved spending so much time with Grant again, she missed Hudson. Now that they were getting to know each other, she wanted to see him in person. Reagan liked the idea of talking to him and sharing more about herself. She left her phone in her room while Grant was home so she wouldn't be tempted to be on it all day instead of focusing on her time with her brother. After he went to bed, however, she would spend at least an hour talking with Hudson. They didn’t venture into phone sex again, but there were plenty of promises of what would happen once she returned. She’d never been more tempted to leave home early, but she refused to give up her time with Grant. Instead, she satisfied her need for Hudson over the phone.

Since she hadn’t found a job through the campus ads, Reagan had asked Hudson to keep an eye on the paper for jobs near the school. On the first of January when he called to wish her a Happy New Year, he informed her that he’d found a position at a daycare center she might be interested in. He gave her their number and she promised to call them the next day to set up an interview. She’d spent the last of her money on Grant’s gifts and would be in a bind when she returned to school.

“Thank you so much, Hudson! You have no idea how desperate I was getting.”

“Oh, really? How desperate is desperate?” he teased.

“I was thinking of selling myself on the streets, clearly,” she said in a heavily sarcastic tone.

“As long as I’m your only customer.”

She groaned. “How was it at your parents’?”

“Awful.” She heard a noise that sounded like him closing a door. “They badgered me about bringing home a woman for them to meet. What they really mean is to interrogate about her lineage.”

“They’ll never approve of me,” she moaned, flopping down on her bed.

“I don’t plan on subjecting you to them any time soon, so don’t worry. Hell, they don't even approve of me.”

“But they love you.”

He snorted derisively. “That’s highly debatable.”

Reagan sighed. “They sound so difficult to deal with. I’m sorry they’re like that.”

Hudson was quiet on the other end for several long seconds before he spoke again. “Thank you. Everyone else I know tells me to suck it up. They assume that money fixes everything, despite the fact that I don’t benefit from my parents’ money. I’m told too often that I expected my parents to coddle me and that I should be grateful they didn’t because it made me into a stronger person.”

“It sounds like none of them are true friends, that’s for sure. You’re who you are because you chose to take the path that made you happy, not because you come from a well-connected family.”

“I don’t know how you just get it.” He groaned. “How much longer until you’re back? I want to hold you, Reagan, to put my arms around you and remember that you’re real.”

“I promise I’m real.” Her voice dropped as she said the next words. “Hudson, I want you to know I really like you. I care for you.”

He chuckled. “Well, that’s a relief, since I like you, too.”

She kept back any stronger words, unsure if she truly felt them or if she simply missed him. “Yeah.”

“I’ll see you in a few days. Will you come to my apartment when you get back?”

She thought about the day she was leaving, what time it would be, and how much she really wanted to go to him. “I’m not sure. I have to meet my new roommate and get unpacked. God, it’ll be so much easier next year when I don’t have people looking over my shoulder the entire time.”

“I agree with you there. Summer can’t come fast enough for me, baby.”

“Yeah, summer. Um, I should go.”

“Okay. Sleep well.”

She smiled. “You, too.”

She couldn't sleep at all, instead tossing and turning with thoughts churning in her mind. Hudson had reminded her that summer was coming sooner or later. Would she remain in College Park and work through the summer, or would she come home? If she stayed, how would she deal with missing Grant? If she had to quit her job to come back home, there was no guarantee she’d get another one. Of course, it was all speculation since she didn't actually have a job yet, but she had to get one of some nature. She had no idea what the answer was, but it didn't stop her from obsessively thinking it over rather than sleeping.

Reagan didn't get up until almost lunch time the following day. Another habit she’d have to break when she went back to school, but it was a direct result of not being able to sleep the night before. She sent Grant a text to let him know she would make dinner and he didn’t have to bring anything home, and then she stood in front of the fridge and stared into it. She didn't have a clue what was wrong with her, but she felt off. Grant was her home. The apartment with the peeling paint outside and the sagging couch inside, that was what meant home to her. She’d never even considered that she might have to stay put over the summer. That just gave her more things to worry about, like where she would live. Only students taking summer classes were allowed to stay in the dorms, and her scholarship wouldn't cover that for her. Luna didn't have an apartment off-campus that Reagan could stay in, and she didn't relish the idea of living with Davis, as much as she liked him. Although it wouldn't be too bad if it was only for the few months until the fall semester began, she still couldn't exactly picture it.

She made coffee and pondered her choices. Getting a job as soon as she went back was mandatory. If she kept up with that job, she would need to stay in Maryland over the summer. She’d need a place to live if that happened. Sighing, she pulled out the number she’d written down for the daycare and gave them a call. It was at least one thing she could cross off her list.

Fifteen minutes later she hung up the phone, fairly certain she had the job with only the formality of needing to go in for an interview in the way of an official offer. She should have felt happy considering that the job was in her general field and was down the street from her dorm. It was only minimum wage, but that was to be expected. Instead, it distressed her.

She was no happier when Grant came home while she was finishing up with making dinner. He disappeared to shower and came back with a kiss to her cheek and news about a raise. He was in such a good mood that Reagan didn't have the heart to bring up her problem. She was already positive that he would tell her to do what was right, even if it hurt. That was his motto, always had been. She thought about the fact that she wasn't doing the right thing when it came to Hudson. They were planning on breaking the rules on purpose, for a long time. She was so distracted that Grant had to ask her what was on her mind, ruining her chances of letting it go for the night.

“I think I got a job, back in Maryland.” She sounded subdued, even to her own ears.

“That’s fantastic, sweetie.” He grinned at her, clearly pleased with her news. “Then why do you look like someone kicked a puppy?”

She dropped her fork and lowered her head into her hands. When she looked back up, there were tears on her cheeks. Startled, Grant got up and kneeled by her chair. She tried to explain between his hushed words of comfort. “It’s just that I realized that I might have to stay in Maryland if I take this job. They won’t want me taking three months off and let me keep my job.”

“Oh.” Grant sat back on his heels as he stared at his baby sister. It would gut him to have her stay away for so long, but he couldn't let her put her dreams on hold, no matter how much he would miss her. “Ray, it’s okay. We’ll figure it all out, I promise. Just wait until you get back and have a real offer before you get so worked up.”

Reagan worked hard to stop crying so he wouldn't worry about her, but she knew she was right. She’d be hard-pressed to visit him except for on an odd weekend here and there. She’d have to live away from him for the summer, and it would pretty much kill her.