Page 71 of Let Me Keep You

“Har har.” Gemma groans. “I’m gonna need something to get through this day.”

“Me too. Maybe we can call in sick,” I taunt.

“That wouldn’t be suspicious at all. My dad wouldn’t know how to handle the phone.”

“Well, you might have to train someone if you plan to leave,” Everleigh says, grabbing a plate, then scooping scrambled eggs and potatoes onto it.

I study Gemma’s expression.

She frowns, shrugging. “Not happenin’.”

The three of us sit at the kitchen table and chat. Everleigh finishes, then pops up with a giddy smile. “I’m gonna shower so I can get to work a little early.” She punches my shoulder and laughs.

I playfully rub the spot. “That’s all ya got? Wuss. Gotta put your weight into it.”

“Next time you hog all the hot water like you did yesterday morning, it’ll be much worse. I swear, you take the longest showers. I have long hair to wash and legs to shave. What the hell do you do in there?”

“What do you think?” I waggle my brows, and Gemma nearly chokes on her food, quickly recovering as she takes a sip of her coffee.

“Ew, gross! You’re my brother.” She gags.

“That’s how I felt when I found your little clit massager in there the other day. Perhaps put it away after you’re done?”

Everleigh gasps, her cheeks burning red. “That’s it. I hate you. Move out.”

Gemma and I laugh hysterically. “Never. You’re stuck with me, sis.”

I smirk as she storms down the hallway.

“That was mean.” Gemma chuckles.

“Siblings, remember? I have years of catching up to do. Next will be hiding her bra and panties in the freezer.”

“Oh my God…” She laughs again, and the sound makes up for the restless night’s sleep. I could get used to hearing it every morning, but too bad she pretends I don’t exist when we’re at the garage. She stands, taking her empty plate to the sink. “Thanks for last night. I feel so much better this morning.”

“No need to thank me. It was fun even though I’ll miss your commentary about it later.” I grin, and it takes her a minute to catch on to what I’m referring to.

“I was obsessed with movies in high school and recapped them for you, didn’t I?”

I stand as well, setting my dish on the counter. “If I remember correctly, twenty-six. Some multiple times, though.”

“What can I say? I’m a hopeless romantic.”

“I didn’t mind. Though some things you suggested I see were questionable.”

“That’s early 2000s rom-coms for ya.” She spins around, and we’re face-to-face. Her chest rises and falls at the realization of how close we are.

“I will say, though, that I got a lot of heat for watching Bring It On.”

“Another classic.” Gemma snickers. “Two decades later and I can still recite every line.”

“It’s a shame I was never able to get you to try a Jack Nicholson movie. Now, he’s a badass actor.”

“Most of the stuff he’s in is ancient,” she counters. “And I’m ninety-nine percent positive they don’t involve romance of any kind.” She folds her arms over her chest and blinks at me.

“No, but you need to expand your portfolio. Perhaps we should plan a movie marathon with all my favorites.” I place a hand to my chest and lock eyes with her. “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and The Shining. Those two definitely need to happen. Then we’ll make our way up to his more recent films.”

“How many has he been in?”