“He’s with his mama. Damn shame. I can’t even get a hello from my own sister since his little ass came in the picture.”
I laughed, swatting his chest. “I did say hey and thanked you for stopping by to fix the faucet.” The faucet behind the bar had been acting funny, and when I mentioned it to Sean, he offered to stop by to take a look at it. He was the consummate handyman.
“Yeah, whatever. Speaking of your guys, why didn’t you ask your little friend to come take a look?”
I gave him a dry expression. “Don’t refer to Eric as my little friend. Especially, since he’s about the same height as you.”
“Yeah, but he’s scrawny.”
I laughed at the ridiculousness of his statement. “He’s hardly scrawny. You’ve seen firsthand that he’s very well chiseled.”
My brother snorted, lips twisted in disgust. “Don’t fucking remind me.”
I laughed, remembering how Sean had walked in on us the day before…
“Angela you? Oh shit! The hell are you doing here and with no shirt on?” Sean yelled, as he walked into my house, using the house key I given him.
“Sean!” I screeched, moving around Eric and entering the living room. “What are you doing here?”
My brother frowned, giving me an incredulous look. “What am I doing here? This is my parents’ house. The house I grew up in. The more appropriate question is what is he doing here, and with no shirt!”
“You probably should calm down.”
My eyes bulged when I heard the challenge in Eric’s voice as he stepped around me, getting in between Sean and I. I couldn’t let this happen.
“Yo, who the hell?”
“Hey, hey, hey!” I yelled, getting in between the two giants. “Let’s everyone take a breather.” I inhaled, as a example, and then exhaled. “Okay, Sean, you already know Eric. He and I are… dating.”
“Dating?” Sean acted as if it was a foreign word to him.
“Yes, dating, as in seeing each other, a couple,” Eric spoke up.
“Yes, Sean, we’re dating. And this isn’t your house. It’s mine, and I’ve told you to call before you come over.”
My brother sucked his teeth, giving me a side-eye, before directing his attention back to Eric.
“You’re dating my little sister? This better not be some game, or for gossip around the station.” He pointed at Eric.
“If it were, you would’ve heard about it by now… not that it’s any of your damn business.”
“My sister is my business. And I know how you bunch at Rescue Four blow through women.”
“Not any more than you all at Rescue Two,” Eric retorted.
Sean looked stumped there.
“Whatever, man. You just make sure you do right by my sister.”
“I don’t have to be told that, but thanks for the reminder.”
“Yeah, whatever,” Sean grumbled, taking one last look at me and then heading out the door he just entered.
“That’s what you get for barging into my house without calling first. Serves you right,” I told Sean, leaning over the bar.
“Whatever, Angela. I just hope you know what you’re doing.” He planted the small tool bag he brought with him on the counter.
“And why wouldn’t I?” I asked defensively.
