Page 39 of The Voice We Find

“Because that was our arrangement, Gabby. Aunt Judy is not the one responsible for you, I am. You should have talked to me first, and you know it.”

I cringe inwardly. This is not going to end well.

“You mean like how you told me about the infected cut on your hand?” Gabby gestures to his bandage.Touché.She definitely scored a point there.

“I apologized for that, which I’ve yet to hear from you.” He sits back, crosses his arms over his chest. “You’re too young to have a boyfriend.”

She jerks her head back as if she’s been slapped. “I’mtoo youngortoo deaf?” Tears flood her eyes. “Or maybe Tyler’s the one who’s too deaf?”

August closes his eyes, rolls his neck. “Gabby—”

“No, don’t tell me I’m being overdramatic. You know as well as I do that if Tyler washearing, this conversation would be very different.”

I expect August to defend himself, but he says nothing as Gabby pushes away from the table and rushes down the hallway. A second later, a door slams.

August sighs and drops his face into his non-bandaged palm. “I’m sorry, Sophie. Battle of the Siblings was not on the agenda for tonight.” He threads his fingers through his hair, and for a minute, I can’t do anything but stare. Not because I’m offended or uncomfortable, but because I’ve rarely witnessed such a passionate debate between two people who love each other like they do.

“This is new.” He huffs a breath. “The boy stuff, I mean.” Music blares at a volume that causes August to shake his head. “I thought I had a lot more time.”

I try to suppress my surprise. “How long did you think you had?”

“Two, three years? Maybe post-college if I was really lucky?” He glances up at me, and his expression is so innocent I feel a momentary pinch of guilt for having to be the bearer of bad news.

“What?” he asks. “What’s that look?”

I proceed with caution. “I’m just wondering if that’s how it was for you?”

He’s quiet, and I know the answer before he opens his mouth. “No, but I made a lot of stupid mistakes I don’t want her to make. More than that, I don’t want her to get hurt.”

“That’s understandable,” I say. “But from the sound of it, they’ve been good friends for a while now. And they seem to share some big common interests.” I stop myself from saying more. I haven’t parented anyone, and I don’t even have a sibling I can use in an example. So instead, I ask more questions. “What can you tell me about Tyler? Do you think he’s a good kid?”

“Technically, he’s not a kid. He’s eighteen.”

“Okay,” I say. “And what’s he like? Is he respectful?”

August contemplates his answer for a minute. “I suppose. He always comes to the door when he picks Gabby up for church—looks me in the eye, shakes my hand, that kind of thing. He graduated in May, summa cum laude, though from what I understand, he’s taking a gap year to help his parents with a new business endeavor.” He looks down at his hands. “His family’s been good to Gabby, his mom especially. Although...” He pauses for a long moment.

“What?” I press.

“We have different perspectives.” He takes a deep breath before continuing. “Tyler’s dad was born deaf in both ears, and so was Tyler. They waited until he was old enough to decide if he wanted a cochlear implant.” August shakes his head, sighs. “I guess he didn’t. So instead he signs, reads lips, and sometimes uses his voice, although according to Gabby, it’s not his preference.”

I let his explanation sink in before I dare to ask another question. “Do you think there’s any truth to what Gabby said about you having more of an issue with her dating Tyler because of his impairment than someone who can hear?”

He studies my face for several heartbeats before I hear the tension release in his exhale. “I wish I could say it didn’t bother me. And yes, I’m fully aware of how awful that makes me sound, but nothing about Gabby’s situation is black-and-white. I’d be lying if I said their relationship doesn’t concern me—especially in regard to her future. A relationship between them adds another layer of complication to an already complicated situation.”

I nod, appreciating his honesty more than I can say, and then nudge his shoulder. “So what happens next?”

“I wait until it’s safe to approach her door and hope she doesn’t throw a shoe at my head?” His right dimple winks at me, and it’s so endearing I can’t help but reach out for his bandaged hand on the table. I give his fingers a companionable squeeze.

“You’re a good brother, August.”

He studies our joined hands. “I try, but I fail a lot. As you witnessed here tonight.”

“That’s what she’ll remember most,” I say quietly.

“What?” He chuckles. “That I fail a lot?”

“No.” I meet his gaze and think of all the moments I could have used a big brother like him when I was growing up. “That you never stopped trying.”

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