"Yeah? Like you." I reached out and ruffled his hair.
"Speaking of your adoration for your one and only brother..." He reached out and tugged on one of the ropes to my hoodie.
"You want food?" I asked.
"God, yes, but no vegetables. I already had mine for the day." He moved to sit at one of the stools by the breakfast nook.
"Oh, yeah? What veggies did you eat?" I walked to the fridge and pulled out various cold cuts and cheeses.
"I had Cheetos and green gummy worms. I'm thinking that's pretty damn close to carrots and celery." He snorted.
"You're an idiot." I rolled my eyes and worked on getting him something better to eat. "So, I met this guy in town today. He seems to be a local."
"Yeah? What's his name?"
"Finn. I didn't get his last name." I shrugged and handed him the plate.
"Oh, yeah. He's the town slut. My friends are always talking about wanting to be like him."
"How do you have friends here?"
I made myself half a sandwich and glanced at the clock. I had twenty minutes before I had to put it in high gear. I was surprised that Cindy wasn't at the house already.
"You know Dad and I spend the fall here." My brother lifted his eyebrow and I nodded, not willing to admit that I'd gotten so wrapped up in my own stuff that I hadn't realized that they were in Colorado all fall. When I called them, I dialed their cell, which was an Arizona area code.
"So, this Finn guy is a big fat no?"
"Um, yeah. Unless you like being used for the night and tossed away."
I picked up my lunch and walked away, not ready to have any kind of sexual discussions with my teenage brother. A shiver ran through me and I made a sound of disgust at the thought.
"Yep. He's gross. Stay away."
"Done," I called over my shoulder and walked into my room to start sorting through what I would be wearing for the evening.
I texted my friends to see where everyone was. The twins were an hour out of the city and Cindy was headed my way.
It was decided that it would be easier to meet at a nice little Italian place in the center of town rather than all the way out at my father's house. I dropped the phone on the bed and lamented over the fact that Finn wouldn't be able to find me. If I wanted to see him again, I'd have to find him or bump into him. Why do things always have to be so damn difficult?
I dressed in a cute skirt and tight top before choosing a pair of heels and fixing my hair and makeup in order to impress my friends properly. We all came from wealthy families, and it seemed like the first thirty minutes of any get together was catching each other up on what we did or didn't have, as well as eying each other's clothes and jewelry. Some part of me wanted to cancel for the evening, but it would look bad and I'd never hear the end of it.
"Besides, getting out will be good for me."
I leaned in toward the bathroom mirror and put a second coating of dark pink lipstick on my lips. I looked like a Barbie doll, which was annoying. No man treated a woman who looked like me seriously, especially when I dolled myself up.
"What are you doing in there?" My brother beat at the door and I yanked it open.
"Oh, great. You're going out with this guy, anyway?"
"No. Some old friends are coming into town. We're going to dinner and maybe a movie."
"Go dancing. There's a new club my friend's sister was raving about the other day. It's one block from Dad's store, though I can't remember the name of it to save my life."
I nodded and turned around. "Do I look alright?"
"Like my undercover gamer sister." He shrugged and walked back down the hall as I laughed.
"Gee, thanks, buddy."