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I seek out my stepsister. Still absorbed by her phone, she’s oblivious to me, oblivious to everyone really. Something on it appears to be making her blush. Unfortunately, the slight stain on her cheeks only makes her more gorgeous.

Why does she have to look like that?

“Anyway, what are you doing after this?” Dex asks.

“Depends how long it lasts.”

“Is Sera out of town?”

I nod.

“Then all night.”

“I’ll be around for a while, then I got some business.”

“Business, huh? Now you’re starting to sound like you got money.”

“I don’t know about that. I’m just private.” Or I try to be. A criminal record doesn’t fucking help though.

“Good luck with that living with females. They’re like lie detectors and private investigators all in one.”

I force a laugh.

“Want to play darts until Tina wakes up and demands I take her home?”

“Sure.”

We get several rounds of darts in before Tina appears, eyes bloodshot, declaring, “I want to go home. Now.”

Dex looks at me with a told you expression that makes me chuckle.

“Morning, Sleeping Beauty. You got some drool on your chin,” I tell Tina, earning myself a hiss.

She seems like a damn cat to me.

Before the two can leave, Dex and I exchange numbers.

“Oh.” He pauses. “I almost forgot. Chocolate and applesauce. Keep ’em on hand at all times. Not just on hand, but, like, on your fucking person. Literally, bro, I’m not even joking. They’ll save your life in an emergency.”

“What kind of emergency?”

“Hanger and moods.” He holds up his thumb and pointer finger. “Those are the two things you gotta look out for and treat before they go apocalyptic.”

“They?”

“Women.”

Women. I live with women now.

“How do you keep applesauce on your person?” I ask, more out of curiosity than anything. It sounds messy as all fuck.

“Squeeze pouches. They’ve saved my ass more times than I can count. Hit me up if you need anything else.”

Knowing damn well I won’t be stocking up on either of those things, all I say is, “Cool. Thanks.” I’m no camp counselor. I don’t give out snacks.

With the Mathews siblings gone, there’s only one thing left to do. And luckily, she’s in the perfect spot.

She’s right near the edge of the pool, twerking her ass. The group around her is about four people deep, so it’s gonna take some effort, but like Dex pointed out, I have heavy hands.