Lexi reached out and, on instinct, pulled her brother close. Squeezed him tight. Pressed his head to her chest and stroked his hair.
"I know I haven't been the best big sister lately," Lexi said, "But I'm here for you. For anything. Promise."
"Yes," Austin said, oddly distant and distracted, "Uh huh." Lexi leaned back and eyed her brother, warily. She noticed his breathing had started coming quickly. The tent was comfortable, even cool, but Austin was sweating bullets. His eyes wide.
"Lexi?" Austin asked. Little boy voice trembling. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close again. His urgency pressed hard into her thigh.
"You said you'd be here for me," Austin said, "For anything?"
"Yes," Lexi whispered in his ear. Lips almost touching him. "Anything."
"But what if?"
