The Revenge Games Duet

I’m mentally thinking about my bank account, about the check due to Mom’s facility tomorrow and my rent due next week. I have received a few paychecks since I started and managed to put away some money for a rainy day. I’m not sure if this constitutes a rainy day.

“Would you please let me cover this? Besides, I know most of the owners on Rodeo Drive.”

“Rodeo Drive? That’s not me.”

He throws his hands into the air with frustration. “Look, I know you’ll look beautiful no matter what you wear. Just go pick anything. They owe me. In fact, I’ll send you to a shop that owes me big time. I wear their shit all the time, and that’s how they get their sales. Stop frowning and just do it.”

Flynn’s voice echoes through the apartment, calling my name.

“I need to go. Tomorrow?”

“Wait, you don’t have to go. Can’t you stay?”

I want to ease my concerns. Put to bed everything I have read about him and start our newly formed relationship on a fresh slate. But he’s fidgeting and desperate to leave. It’s not worth the argument.

“Tomorrow.”

Wesley kisses my lips one more time before leaving the room. He stops outside, chatting to Flynn before the main door closes shut.

Flynn steps inside my room. “I didn’t know you were friends with Wesley.”

I sit on the bed, tying my shoes. “You don’t talk to me. Anyway, it’s a bit more than that.”

“You’re banging him?”

“No!” I grab my cell and purse. “Why does everyone assume I’m some whore who just sleeps around?”

“Calm the fuck down. I like Wesley. He gets this crowd. Liam left?”

I fall backward onto the bed, allowing the tears to fall. “I hurt him. I didn’t mean to. Everything is so different. He says I’ve changed. I’ve become one of them.”

Flynn sits beside me smelling of stale beer. “C’mon, it’s hard. They just don’t get it. He’ll move on. You guys just weren’t on the same page despite what I said earlier. Sorry, Mills.”

My brother giving me relationship advice is odd. When did he turn into this mature man? Back home, he was the boy who sulked in his room while playing emo beats on his drum.

“You think?”

“Wesley will be good for you. The thrill-seeker to bring you out of your shell.”

“I’m not in a shell. I’ve already lived that crazy life. You were too young to remember. I’m happy this way.” I don’t sound very convincing, and if anyone can see through me, it’s my baby brother.

He laughs, slapping my knee. “You’re one step away from joining a pottery class.”

“You know, pottery students around the world will take offense to that. Wesley is different. He invited me to some event. I have to go buy a dress. I really don’t want to buy anything, I have to send some money to Mom.”

Flynn leaves the room, coming back moments later. “Here.” There are a few hundred-dollar notes in the palm of his hand.

I sit up, cautiously eyeing the pile of money. “Where did you get this from?”

“Gigs.”

“I can’t take this.” I push his hand back toward him.

“You can. It’s the least I can do for being a pain in the ass.”

“Okay.” I take the money with a thankful smile. “But just promise you’re not doing anything illegal.”

He places his hand on my head, purposely messing my hair, much to my annoyance. With the pillow by my side, I grab it and whack him with it, just like old times.