Jordan rolled her eyes. So Max and Danny could share a room, yet she still got reprimanded for making out with a boy. These double standards were a really annoying. Mom picked up the dirty dessert dishes and left the room again.
“Can she make it any more obvious that he’s her favorite?” Jordan asked irritably.
Max didn’t bother answering her question. His eyes were still focused on the drama outside. “Oh, Jo-jo, this is bad.”
“Give him some credit, Max. If he didn’t want to talk to her, he would have stayed inside.”
“Twenty bucks. He’s gonna say something awful. She’s gonna jump in her car and drive off.”
Jordan could see that Kevin was angry. His hands were clasped behind his head, a sure sign he was about to snap. But the reason why she decided to take the bet was because Jasmin reached up and touched his face and Kevin let her do it. He was feeling a lot more than just anger. “Deal,” she said.
Despite her initial sentiments, Max’s prediction still came true. Jasmin hopped into her car and drove off.
“Pay up, Jo-jo.”
Jordan groaned, left the room and came back with his money.
“Easiest twenty bucks I’ve ever made,” Max said with a smug smile.
“I hate you, Augustus.”
“You love me, Alberta.”
In most families, siblings taunted each other with names like dickhead or dipshit. In her family, their middle names served the same purpose. Actually, it was more offensive.
His playful smile disappeared and she knew the questions she’d been trying to avoid were coming. “So are you going to tell me what happened with Tyler?”
She thought long and hard before she answered. “I fell too hard, too fast and he was always a few steps behind. A relationship can’t work like that.”
“Maybe you just need to give him some time to catch up. And let’s hope in your case, it doesn’t takeseven years.”
She managed to smile despite her sadness. “He won’t catch up. His heart was never fully in it.”
Although she saw a hint of anger flash in his eyes, he said nothing further and pulled her into his arms. She sighed and enjoyed the comfort provided by her brother. It was the quality she loved most about him. He always knew when words were not enough and a simple hug would do.
“Oh, my God, Jo-jo,” he said against her hair. “I can actually feel it happening. My dick is falling off as we speak.”
She laughed and pulled away, but he still kept one arm around her shoulder.
“I need to rectify this. I can’t deal with an emotional Jordan. It’s so unnatural.” He forced her down into a choke hold and rubbed his fists hard against her head.
“Max!”
“Ah, this feels so much better.” Not even the jabs to his ribs made him loosen his hold. “Now let’s go watch Wreck-it Ralph with the girls.” He kept her in a headlock and dragged her out of the dining room.
*****
Jordan brushed her teeth the next morning, pulled on her robe, and walked to the kitchen. There were many reasons why she was tired, but she hadn’t been able to fall asleep last night. They were going skating at the lake today. It was tradition. She made herself a cup of coffee, because energy was required for the day ahead.
She took her coffee back to the living room and saw Danny, looking equally exhausted. She knew why. Danny and Max had had a very busy night last night and listening to the headboard knocking against the wall was one of the reasons why Jordan hadn’t been able to sleep. Incessant calls from Tyler were another.
“Good morning, Jordan,” she sang happily.
“Morning,” Jordan responded. She tried to match Danny’s cheer, but fell a little short.
Danny was glowing, had the most satisfied smile on her face. Max came in a few minutes later.
“Coffee, Honeybun?” he asked, handing her a steaming mug.
