They’re such players.
Sometimes I think that’s why they hate Reed so much. Because they know he’s exactly like them.
Ledger and Shep shut up and before anyone can say anything else and sidetrack the conversation again, I ask, “Why are you guys bringing me cupcakes?”
Ledger side-eyes Stellan and Con. “Because you’re our sister.”
Getting serious, Shepard nods. “And we love you.”
“We also respect you,” Ledger says.
“And your choices.” Shep goes next.
“Also your independence,” Ledger adds, making me think that they’ve memorized their lines.
Shepard proves me right in the next second. “Yeah, we respect that too.” Then frowning, he tilts his head toward Stellan. “Wait, is that what it is? We respect her independence.”Looking at me, he explains, “Stellahere said something this morning that totally went over my hungover head.”
Ledger snickers again atStella, I’m sure.
It’s my fault really.
When I was a kid, I couldn’t say Stellan so I’d call him Stella and, well, it caught on. And now every time Shep wants to annoy Stellan, he calls him Stella.
I glance at Stellan apologetically, who’s watching Shep with a flat look. “You like your face, don’t you?”
Shepard chuckles because they’re identical twins. “Not on you though.”
“Yeah, keep talking and I’ll rearrange it for you.” He glances at Ledger who’s still snickering. “Yours too.”
When the most mischievous of my brothers, Shep and Ledger, go quiet again – not happily though – Stellan speaks up, looking at me. “Look, what these morons are trying to say is that we acted like giant asses last night. We shouldn’t have barged in, like an army or something. But you scared us, all right? It’s not like you to lie and we thought something happened to you. We thought –”
Ledger bursts out then, as if he’s been holding it all on the inside. “We thought he did something, okay? We thought you needed our help.” He shakes his head angrily. “You needed us to rescue you from him and…” He goes quiet for a second before saying, “You need to be careful.”
“I know and I am. And –"
“No, it’s… you need to be really careful.Really.”
“O-kay,” I say, frowning at Ledger’s grave tone. “I am.”
“You don’t get it.” He sighs sharply. “The thing is… fuck it. The thing is that he’s attractive. Good looking, handsome, whatever. Not more than me, but still.”
“What?” I’m so confused.
Shepard snorts.
Stellan’s lips twitch as well.
“Yeah, and also the thing is, Calls, that our little brother wants to say that he’s got a big boy crush on him,” Shep adds with raised eyebrows.
Stellan chuckles as Ledger swats Shep’s head. “Fuck you, dude. I’m trying to explain something.”
“No need. We get it,” Shepard says, hitting Ledger in the stomach with his elbow.
“The point I’m trying to make is, he takes advantage of that,” Ledger continues loudly, rubbing his stomach. “Of his looks. Girls become stupid when it comes to him and he uses their stupidity against them. And you’re my sister. He’s bound to mess with you. Because he’s smart enough to know that I’m going to win this season. Like last season. So you need to stay away from him, Callie. He’s a fucking asshole, all right?”
I bite my lip as I finally get my window to apologize. “I know and I’m sorry. I don’t want to ruin your game and –”
“This is not about the soccer rivalry.”
