Shawn nodded as we lingered close to each other. I had a little more to do on the studio before dark, but I wasn’t in any hurry to get back there. “How’s your writing going today?”
“It’s all right. I’m just getting started.”
“Right, you’re a night owl,” I said. “I usually am, too, back in the city.”
“That’s me,” he said with a funny laugh. “Up all night.” He turned slightly, like he was going to walk back in the house, then paused. “Hey, I thought I’d mention it’s the last night of the Lyrids tonight. Would you want to watch it with me again? I thought I’d make my grandma’s tomato pie recipe to celebrate.”
I reached out and grabbed his shoulder, squeezing lightly. “Shawn, man, I’m never going to say no to a good tomato pie.” The pleasure of touching him sent a jolt up my arm, and our eyes caught as we stood there.
“Great,” he said softly. “I’m glad.”
I released him, then stepped back slightly. Suddenly, I felt a little dizzy from the heat and exertion of mowing the lawn. When my phone buzzed in my back pocket, though, I snapped out of it. “Oh hey,” I said, pulling it out. “Leo. You want to say hi?”
Shawn rolled his eyes. “Tell him he owes me a proper phone call, and soon!”
I chuckled. “I will.”
Shawn took my glass, and I noticed that his cheeks were pink, which did a funny thing to my gut. “See you later, Cass,” he said as he parted.
I walked out to the lawn. “Leo, what’s up?”
“Thought I should check in. How are things in Kentucky? Everything working out with the studio?” In the background, I could hear the sounds of his office
“No surprises with the studio,” I said. “I might try to steal your little brother, though.”
Leo laughed. “Shawn’s the best. Now we just have to find you a local girlfriend, and you’ll be all set for the summer.”
I snorted. “I don’t know about that.” I picked some grass, then flung it toward some of the oaks and maples that grew at the edge of the lawn. “I found out Twice Shattered signed a contract with a major label. A big contract. The kind that comes with a fat paycheck.”
“Shit,” Leo groaned. “Can you join again? If you need to ditch the studio remodel, that’s fine. I can get a replacement.”
I gritted my teeth. It was the one big difference between Leo and me. Once we got tired of getting into trouble as teenagers, he dealt with life by throwing himself into his work. He thought his success made him worthwhile as a person. I was happy for him, but I didn’t want that kind of life for myself. I wasn’t trying to be a bigshot or a billionaire. I was just happy doing my thing.
“I’m chill,” I said. “They won’t even sound like Twice Shattered after the label gets ahold of them.”
“And their bank accounts won’t look the same either. Why don’t you hit the bar in town man, maybe even find yourself someone pretty for the night? I know you’ll roll with the punches, but it can’t hurt to clear your head after something like that.”
“I’m just going to hang here. Shawn is showing me some stuff with his telescope, and I’m enjoying the quiet.”
“I guess that works.” Leo chuckled, and I heard a phone ringing in the background. “Just don’t get so horny out there that you fuck my brother.”
I tensed, then tore another handful of grass from the dirt. “What does that mean?”
“Chill, Cass. It’s a joke. I know you’re not going to hook up with Shawn. You might have made out with that dude at a party once, but I’ve known you as long as anyone. You’re straight.”
I sucked on my front teeth, way more annoyed by his comments than I should have been. “That doesn’t mean you can tell me who to hook up with.”
Leo whistled. “Okay, okay. Lighten up. I didn’t mean to boss you around.” He laughed. “Fuck, that would be weird, though. That is not a relationship I would approve of.”
I grunted under my breath, eager for him to shut up. “Anything else, Leo? Or did you want to pre-judge my sex life a little more before we go?”
“I think that’s good for today. Catch you soon, Cass.”
I shoved my phone back in my pocket, anger bubbling up inside of me. What the hell business was it of his anyway what me or Shawn did? We were out in the woods alone for the summer to get some peace and quiet, and we didn’t need Leo butting his nose in our business.
I kicked at the grass clippings as I made my way back to the studio, little bugs buzzing around me. If I were actually interested in a man, I was pretty sure Leo would just support me, the same way I had stuck by him when he came out in high school. As I grabbed the can of primer at the studio and started stirring the paint, though, I realized what really bothered me about it.
Leo must not have thought I was good enough for his brother. Shawn was smart as all hell, and he was going to have a bright life ahead of him, just like Leo was crushing it with his new business. Was he always just going to see me as some loser without a future?
