My chest tightens. “So there’s a history?”
“I don’t cut my friend’s grass.”
“I—I wasn’t saying you would. But, high school was a while ago for you guys, and I just wondered if they…”
“They both went to Oregon State. They might’ve hooked up, I don’t know. But as far back as I can remember it’s always been… sibling vibes, you know? Something happened to them both back then—a car crash, I think. Anaise stayed at OSU but Tek went off the rails for a bit then switched from medicine to art before disappearing to Canada for three years.”
“Oh… Okay, then,” I say, trying my hardest to sound like I don’t care.
“I couldn’t tell you the last time Tek was in a relationship. He dated some girls in high school, but… we lost touch for a few years after that, so I'm not the person to ask.”
“Right… So… What does he… do…”
“He lives on Tinder.”
“Really?” I blurt out and instantly try to back pedal. “I mean, why? Because, you know.”
“Your guess is as good as mine. I’ve never seen that man struggle for female attention in his life. So it’s gotta be because he doesn’t want a relationship, not because he can’t get one.”
I have so many more questions I want to ask but I swallow them all down.
“You got plans for Saturday night?” Austin asks.
“I don’t know anyone. So, other than with my own hand, no.”
“So that asshole hasn’t taken you out anywhere?”
I lower my head and smirk down into my chest. “He took me to his parent's for Thanksgiving.”
“Mawww.” He glances over to me. “Maybeyou’rehis girlfriend.”
“Shut the fuck up.” I smile back at him.
“Seriously though, he’s not taken you anywhere?”
“Nope… I asked him a couple times, but he’s at the shop twelve hours a day, so it’s fine. I get it.”
“Goddamn he’s a stubborn son of a bitch.” Austin shakes his head as he turns the final corner. “Guess Anaise was right again.”
“About what?”
“That’s why we were there today. She knew he’d just ignore our texts and calls, and it’s harder for him to say no to two people.” Austin pulls his truck up out the front of the apartment building and keeps talking like he knows it’s something I need to hear. “You’ve gotta be firm with him. He pushes, but you’ve gotta push him straight back. Being Eden’s brother, I know you know what that's about. That pair are two peas in a pod, if I’ve ever seen it. So, how you handled yourself in there today, was really fucking refreshing. Not many people would talk to Tek like that, so don’t ease up. He needs a strong hand. Anaise is the only one where a gentle approach works.”
I have no idea what I’m meant to say to that?
About any of this.
An hour ago I set out to pick up a package. Now I’m sitting in the truck of someone who's been friends with my brother for twenty years, but I’ve never heard of before. And they’re giving me unsolicited advice that I really need to hear.
I reach for the door handle. “Thanks for the help. You really didn’t have to.”
“We’re going out on Saturday night.”
“Okay.” My tone is timid, and sounds more likewhy are you telling me?
“Straight from the shop so he can’t back out.”
“Okay,” I say again in exactly the same way.
