Broken Hill Hearts (Broken Hill High 4)

“Fine,” he groans.

“But,” I say. His eyes narrow on me, sensing he’s not going to like this. “This is Kaylah Millington we’re talking about. If you’re actually going to go through with asking her on a date and acting like a decent human being with her, then you need to tell Nate.”

He shakes his head. “No, I’ll go on my date and if I want to go on another, then I’ll tell him.”

“Jess,” I groan. “You know your brother. He’s going to kill you if you keep this from him.”

“He’s going to kill me either way. I may as well prolong the inevitable and enjoy it first.”

Now it’s me shaking my head. “What are you going to do about Jackson?”

“Nothing,” he scoffs. “That’s Kaylah’s business if she wants to tell him.”

“You’re not at all concerned he’s going to try and kick your ass?”

“No, I know that’s exactly what he’s going to do, but the key word is ‘try’. He’s tried so many times before and every damn time, I’ve come out on top.”

“It’s different if you have feelings for his sister.”

“Bullshit.”

“Believe me or not. Just be careful, ok?”

“Yes, mom,” he laughs before leaning back into the couch and scanning over the show I was just watching “So, what are we doing tonight?”

“We are not doing anything. You’re going home so I can watch ‘Suits’ in peace.”

“Oh,” he says, turning to see the screen better. “Is that the show with the new princess?”

“Yep,” I say, popping the ‘p’.

“Good?”

“Uh huh.”

“Does she get naked?”

“No,” I groan, throwing a cushion at him. I mean, there are a few sex scenes but you can’t see anything. It’s very tasteful. If he knew that though, he’d never leave me alone.

“Ugh,” he grunts, throwing the cushion back at me. “I don’t want to watch if I don’t get to see titties.”

“Then go and tell your brother that you’re screwing the enemy.”

“Go and tell him that you’re moping over him again.”

“You go and tell him that you eat dicks for breakfast.”

“You go and tell him th-”

“What the hell is going on in here?” my mom’s voice says, cutting off Jesse’s comeback. “I swear, how many times do I have to tell you idiots to stop bickering? You’re like annoying siblings.”

I scoff and look away. “He started it.”

“I don’t care who started it,” Mom scolds. “I’m finishing it. I’m done hearing about what Jesse likes to eat for breakfast, and I certainly don’t want to know what he enjoys for dinner.”

“For the record,” Jesse grins.

“Nope,” mom scolds holding a finger up to stop him. “I don’t want to know what you actually like eating. Now, are you staying for dinner? I was going to order Thai.”

“Oh, yeah,” Jesse says. “I could eat Thai. You know, if it’s alright? Mom spent the day cleaning and now we have to tip toe around the house. Nate got his head bitten off for walking across the tiles when they were wet. I think mom’s close to making us live in a hotel.”

“Oh, dear,” mom laughs. “Trish does like her home a particular way, doesn’t she?”

Jess scoffs. “Well, that’s the biggest understatement I’ve ever heard.”

Mom shakes her head but can’t help smiling at him. “Maybe you wouldn’t have an issue if you and your brother didn’t live like pigs.”

“Pigs?” he gasps in mock outrage. “I’ll have you know, me and Nate are the perfect sons. Anyone would be lucky to have us.”

“Uh huh,” she laughs before waltzing out of the den and into the kitchen, most likely to find the menu from the Thai place that’s hiding on top of the fridge.

“Can you believe that?” Jesse laughs.

“You know, when she said you and your brother live like pigs, she was only referring to you? Nate is the cleanest guy I’ve ever met.”

He puts a hand to his heart and falls back onto the couch, pretending that my words hurt him. “I’m wounded,” he rasps out. “Call for help.”

I roll my eyes and reach across to grab the remote off him while he’s busy being distracted by his own dramatics and hit play on ‘Suits’.

Jesse sits back up to watch the show and within minutes he’s hooked which also means he asks at least a hundred questions per minute. “Would you shut up and watch?” I scold.

“I can’t,” he demands. “I need to know what’s happening.”

“Then watch it and you’ll find out.”

Mom walks back in and drops down beside me. “Are you two seriously at each other’s throat again?”

“Can’t help it,” Jesse admits. “She just brings out this awful side of me. We should have her sent away.”

“Agreed,” mom grunts.

“No,” I demand, turning to face mom. “This is not happening. You’re supposed to be on my side, not his.”

“Sorry, sweetheart. But teasing you is far too much fun,” she laughs. “Just like Jesse, I can’t help it.”