Letting My Brother's Best Friend Take My V-Card

A CHANGE JOSH PRESENT DAY

I stared at my phone, thumb hovering over Luke's name in my contacts. The thought of skipping practice felt like a betrayal to the team, to everything I'd worked so hard for-but today, I couldn't do it. I just couldn't go through the motions, pretending that everything was

fine when it wasn't.

Luke picked up on the second ring.

"Hey man, what's up?" His voice was casual, but I could hear the background noise of the gym, the faint echo of sneakers squeaking against polished floors and the low hum of chatter. "Hey, man," I started, already feeling guilty. "I need a favor."

Luke groaned dramatically. "Look man. I get you are in a tough spot but you need to start getting your shit together. For Asha..."

"It's not like that," I interrupted, pinching the bridge of my nose. "I just... I need today, okay? Just one day. I promise I'll be back tomorrow, and I'll make it up to you and everyone else."

The silence on the other end stretched long enough to make me uncomfortable.

"Luke," I added, my voice dropping lower, "I really need this."

There was a pause, then a resigned sigh. "Fine. I'll cover for you. But, Josh-"

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I know. I cut him off. "I need to get my shilt together. That's what I'm doing, okay? That's exactly what I'm trying to do."..

Another pause, then he muttered "You better, man."

I know. Thanks, Luke."

The call ended, and I dropped my phone onto the counter with a clatter, exhaling a shaky breath. My chest already felt tight, like the weight of everything was pressing down harder today than usual.

table where my laptop sat open. The glow of the screen felt harsh against the early morning light filtering through the blinds. My inbox was pulled up, and at the top sat an email I'd been dreading to open. From:

Subject: Update on Progress

words blurred together for a moment before I forced myself to focus, reading each

Good day,

well, though I understand the circumstances remain

latest update regarding Laura's condition based

overall state. Her brain activity, while still

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LA CHANGE

transparent with you-while we continue to monitor her closely and provide the best care possible, the likelihood of her regaining consciousness

Laura and your family in every

recover.

defy the odds, and I do not wish to take away any

any questions, concerns, or if you need

Sincerely,

Dr. Elizabeth Harrington

words sinking deeper into my chest like knives. "No significant improvement." "Likelihood of regaining consciousness

been used to this by now-used to the weight of bad news. But

room to where Asha lay on her back in her playpen.

She had Laura's laugh.

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