"Donotsay another word," I interrupted, pointing a finger at him. His mouth closed then opened again as he took a breath. "No, J.J. You need to shut up right now before you say something that will make me angry."
His frown turned into a scowl. "Really, Cam? You're jerking my friend around and you're angry withme?"
That was it. I'd had enough. I marched over to him and jabbed my finger at him. "Brody and I have barely gotten along since high school. We went to the movies last night and just hung out. It was nice and I think we're going to finally be friends again. Do not lay this shit on me as though I'm going around torturing poor, pitiful Brody because that's not what's going on." I turned away from him and walked a few steps away before I scoffed and whirled back around. "And after all your bitching about how he and I bickered too much, I can't believe you're upset that we're getting along."
"Don't pretend like you don't know what you're doing."
Exasperated, I threw my arms out to the side. "You know what? I'm done talking to you. You're just as bad as Brody used to be, always thinking the worst of me, and half the time, I have no idea why. Tell Mom and Dad I'll see them next week."
"Cam—"
I didn't hear the rest of what he had to say because I'd grabbed my purse and I was already out the front door before he could get any further.
My temper was so hot that the temperature outside felt nice and comfortable rather than the insane heat of Texas in July. Muttering beneath my breath, I stomped out to my car and yanked my keys out of my pocket.
I was nearly home when my cell phone rang and I saw Sierra's name on the screen.
"Fucking shit," I snarled. I couldn't believe I'd left without her. I lifted the phone to my ear. "I am so fucking sorry. I was just so mad when I left, I didn't even think."
"What did your brother say to you?" Sierra asked me. "Because he looks like a puppy who just got the crap beat out of him with a newspaper."
I couldn't suppress another snarl.
"Whoa. You really are mad."
"He told me to quit messing with Brody." My breath hitched. "That I shouldn't be playing mind games with his best friend."
"Oh, no he didn't," Sierra whispered.
"He did."
"Okay, then I'm officially not upset you forgot to take me with you when you left. Want me to hurt him for you?"
I laughed as I turned into my driveway. "Thanks, but that won't be necessary. Just make him squirm a little."
Sierra's answering laugh was dark and a little scary. "Oh, that I can do."
Then I realized that my mother would want to know why I'd left. "Crap. I have no idea what to tell my mom."
"Tell her the truth, that J.J. was being an asshat."
I didn't laugh. "I can't. She's always had this thing about how we had to work out our differences without yelling or violence."
"How exactly does she think you're supposed to do that?" Sierra asked. She was an only child and though she and I had the occasional spat, it was never anything like the knock-down-drag-outs that J.J. and I could raise.
"By talking," I answered, my tone dry.
"You mean shouting?"
"Nope. Talking. Calmly and reasonably about why we were upset with the other person and resolving the issue with compromise and love."
"Screw that. Total annihilation is the only way to go."
There were several reasons that Sierra and I were friends and this was definitely in the top five. She understood the way my brain worked because hers worked the same way.
"Today, I'm going to settle for not having to stare at my brother's face across the dining room table at lunch. If you want, I can swing back by and pick you up."
"Don't worry about it. I'll get Brody or your mom to drop me off at the shop. Besides, if I leave now, who will make your brother squirm?"
Yep. Our minds definitely worked the same way.
"Let me know if that changes."
"Roger that, Ghostrider."
The phone line clicked as Sierra disconnected. I shook my head and laughed. My brother was in for one heck of a Sunday lunch.
I was almost sad to miss it.
Almost.
