Marriage Material

Chapter 1

Robin

“Jim, you can’t be serious!” I yell. I knew this was going to happen. I just freaking knew it. I take a deep breath, trying to calm down. If this wasn’t the fifth time this happened it might actually be funny, but it’s getting old.

“I’m sorry, Robin, but things have changed. I’m not looking to rent out the studio anymore.”

I stare at him, knowing he’s full of shit. He’s been trying to rent the upstairs of his antique store for a few months now. It isn’t my ideal place to rent, but I’m pretty much out of options at this point. My brothers sabotage every place I try to rent, so at this point I’ll take anywhere I can get my hands on.

“It was Kent, wasn’t it?” I put my hands on my hips and give him my best angry face.

At five foot four I could never be intimidating, so no matter what I do I know it’s not going to work. Even though it won’t make a difference, I’m pissed and want it to show. I’d thought I was sneaky enough this time, but I guess not. When you live in a small town nothing is ever secret. I should’ve known.

“The sheriff might have stopped by and mentioned he didn’t think it was a good idea for his sister to move out.” He shrugs like this isn’t a big deal. “The sheriff knows what he’s talking about. He’s a good man and I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes.”

“But we have a signed lease,” I remind him.

I’ve been trying to move out from under my brothers for three months now, but I’m having no luck. They don’t want me moving out of my parents’ house where they watch me like a hawk. This is what happens when you have five older brothers and you’re the baby of the family. Not only am I the baby, but I was a late in life surprise for my parents. I’m ten years younger than my youngest brother.

“You can talk to my lawyer if you like.” Jim folds his arms over his chest, knowing he’s won.

“Ahh!”

I turn away and stomp out of there because we both know that my other brother is his lawyer. At this rate I’m never going to move out and I’ll likely die a virgin if my brothers have anything to say about it.

I walk into Millie’s diner and plop down in one of the seats at the counter.

“You look like you could use extra cherries in your Coke today,” Millie says, walking over towards me with a smile on her face. Milly and my mother are best friends and she’s pretty much like an aunt to me.

“Yes please,” I sigh. “And fries.” I need some comfort food right now, even if my hips don’t.

“Will do,” she says as she puts in my order and brings me my Coke. “So they found out?”

“Yeah,” I mumble. “If I didn’t love this town so much I’d move out of here.”

“Liar. You’d never move away from your family. Those brothers drive you nuts, but you love them.”

She’s right. I love my family. It’s why I couldn’t even move away to go to college. I did everything online instead. Though I’m not sure how my going to college would have gone over. I have a feeling one of my brothers would have followed me, because they’re all crazy.

“I know, but it doesn’t mean I don’t want to punch them right in the junk.” Millie laughs, and the bell dings, telling her my order is up. “Thanks,” I say as she goes back to serving other customers.

I pull out my phone and double-check to make sure the tracking is off. Somehow they get their hands on my phone and turn it on no matter how many times I’ve changed the password. When I see it’s on I grumble and switch it off. Two seconds later my phone rings and it’s my oldest brother Kent. He’s the sheriff of Deercreek, and everyone loves him. I answer it only because I’m going to give him a piece of my mind.

“Don’t think I’m not going to tell Julie what you did,” I snap before he can get a word out. I know the only way I can get back at him is to hit him where it hurts.

“Ah, come on, Robin, don’t be like that. This is for your own good.”

Julie might not be able to get him to stop ruining every place I try to rent, but she would make his life a little harder. She’ll give him the silent treatment, which drives him crazy. They were high school sweethearts and I’m pretty sure Kent thinks she hung the moon. So anytime she’s upset with him, you would think the world is coming to an end.