The two of them joke constantly that they were twins separated at birth—even though she’s three years older than Connor. They have the exact same sense of humor and larger than life personalities. I think that's why she and I bonded so quickly and why the two of them becameinstant friends when they met on one of Connor’s visits a few years ago.
Connor talks for a moment before Selena lets out a hoot of laughter. “Okay, yeah … and because your stubborn sister won’t tell you what’s going on with her, I will. Paul’s being ahugeass, she’s definitely been crying this morning. Okay, bye.”
She throws the phone back to me, leaving me to shoot daggers at her head.
Seriously?
“What’s she talking about?” Connor presses. “Is this why you haven’t been answering my phone calls? What did he do? … Auds, did he seriously make youcry?”
His tone makes it sound like me crying over Paul is equal to someone stealing from our entire family.
Connor is overprotective at times, especially if it involves me and tears. Growing up I didn’t cry much. But, when he left for school, I became a bit more emotional. That seemed to be a culture shock for my entire family, one that no one ever really got used to.
I exhale, leaning my head in my hand, not wanting to open this can of worms. I’m half convinced that if Connor knew how many times I’ve cried over Paul over the years, he’d call in the military or hire an assassin.
Who am I kidding? He’d probably take action into his own hands and do it himself.
“It’s nothing. He’s been working late a lot. Just leave it, I gotta get to work. Some of us don’t have multi-millions sitting in the bank just because we can toss a ball around.”
Connor chuckles loudly and I can sense the smug smile on his face. “Don’t start with that. As I remind you often, I have an account set up for you too. You’re just stubborn.”
“I make enough money, Connor. I was joking.”
“I know, Auds. I just don’t want to waste money on shit I’ll never use. You deserve to treat yourself. Especially if Paul is being a dick.”
A small smile graces my lips. “I appreciate that. But really, we have morning round-up soon, so I’ll text you later.”
“You better! See you Thursday, but you call me if you need me? Don’t make me call in the big guns.”
“I’m fine, I promise,” I say, weakly.
My parents retired, thanks to Connor, and now they live in Palm Springs. They’ll come to visit me every few months, but I hate the idea of burdening them with the feelings I’m so adamant about keeping locked away.
“Okay, I’ll pretend to believe you for now so you can go to your meeting. Love you, Sis!” he calls out before hanging up.
Selena and I head towards the main conference room while I polish off my drink. My brain is focused on anything other than work right now.
I can’t say I love my job—if Selena quit tomorrow, I’d be right behind her. It’s mostly mindless data entry. I wanted to work as a financial analyst, but when I got a job offer right out of school, Paul told me I couldn’t take it. His career hadn’t fully taken off yet, but he always made a point to tell me that his career mattered more. He was very clear that me being the “bread-winner” and making more money would be “distasteful.” So, instead of taking a job I would’ve loved, I ended up here.
At least I got Selena out of it.
“So … who’s Benson? And why the heck should I care about him?” Selena nudges my shoulder as our manager drones on at the front of the room. “You’d think I’d know who Connor’s best frie—Oh. Holy fuck.”
I shoot her a look that says “don’t start” and her eyes widen with glee once she realizes it’s the person I’ve talked about non-stop since meeting her.
“Benson is Noah?!” She squeals, leaning into me. I'm trying to hide the flush that's taken over my whole body. At least she can't see the butterflies—or should I say fireflies—going crazy in my stomach.
Yeah.Noah.
Three: Audrey
My Brother’s Best Friend - Hannah Trager
Imet Noah Benson when I was just three years old. I don’t remember much about our first meeting besides the fact that he had the brightest blue eyes in the entire universe and held a baseball bat over his shoulder, mirroring Connor.
He was quiet in contrast to Connor back then, and some things never changed as we aged.
Connor brought him home on the sixth day of kindergarten and from that moment on, they were a package deal. It felt like he lived with us sometimes, but I never saw him as a brother, even when I was too young to understand my feelings for him.
