Page 39 of Stirred Up

“Pretty good. What about you? I feel like we haven’t talked in forever.” I slink back in the sofa with my glass.

“We haven’t.” He laughs. “Sorry about that, I’ve just been busy getting things up and running.”

My smile can’t be contained—my brother’s actually living his dream! “Don’t apologize, Dyl. I’m so proud and excited for you!”

“Thanks,” he says, his voice humble. “So hey, can you do lunch tomorrow, my treat?”

“Of course! Need my big brother fix.”

“Great, say noon at Ruby’s?”

I immediately agree and end the call with a giddy excitement, sitting back a minute to revel in how happy I am for my brother.

****

I’m actually more surprised that I’m surprised...whywouldn’tBrady be here, already seated and cutting up with Dylan as I’m lead to their table?

“There she is!” Dylan springs from his seat to wrap me in an energetic embrace. “You look great, Moe. I’ve missed you.”

“Me too.” Swipingquickly at my silly tears of pride, I glance hesitantly at Brady, who still hasn’t greeted me as Dylan pushes in my chair. It’s official. “Brady and Moe” is broken. Never has that man not acknowledged me within five seconds of being in a room. For fuck’s sake! I didn’tsay we couldn’t talk, I said we couldn’t be more. But in all fairness, I haven’t gone out of my way to send a text and invite him over to hang out either. It’s no longer easy with us as friends and I haven’t been able to bring myself to face it.

Seems his “coward” comment held more truth than I’d care to admit.

“Hello, Brady,” I grind out as civilly as possible, aggravated at his stubbornness.

“Moe.” He gives a curt nod.

Dylan’s watching back and forth like a Ping-Pong match, understandably confused. “The hell? Ya’ll have a fight?”

Brady cocks one brow my way, challenging me to answer. Not biting. “No, of course not.” I smile at Dyl. “Anyway, this is your day. So tell us all about things.”

Don’t have to ask him twice; he instantly starts gushing out all that’s been happening as I hold my enthusiastic smile firmly in place, trying to keep up and stay focused, while kicking Brady under the table. He looks my way only once and I stick out my tongue, face twisted up like a slapstick comic seeking a laugh. I don’t get one andwhen I kick my foot out again its only air I hit; he’s moved his leg, and worse, he’s scooting his chair over.

Thankfully, Ruby’s is a sandwich shop, so we’re able to order and be served quickly, the atmosphere slightly more amicable, but still “off” despite my attempts to lighten his mood. Brady wasn’t this quiet when he had laryngitis two years ago, and if he doesn’t stop dampening Dylan’s parade with his pouting, Iwillthrow this pickle at him.

“So you’ll both come, right?”

“What?” I ask, having zoned out on the last part of Dylan’s speech.

His head cranes my way. “My launch party. It’s this Friday night. You’ll be there?”

“Of course I will.” I pat his jittery hand. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world. Just let me know when and where. Did I mention how proud of you I am?”

“Shucks, ma’am,” he jests with a wave of his hand. “Oh and it’s formal, so gown and tux,” he speaks between us both. “And bring dates. The more the merrier. I want a big crowd there.”

I struggle to temper my expression—formalanda date, not what I’d expect from my brother.

“You got it. No worries,” Brady says directly to Dylan. His voice cuts through me, sparking the flame Dr. Reynolds had been managing.

We’re mercifully saved from further “surprises” by Dylan’s phone, but the bomb’s already dropped...gown and date.

“Sorry guys, but I need to go. See you Friday?” My brother leans down and kisses my cheek, hardly waiting for our answers before he’s out the door.

I jump up, busying myself with throwing away our trash, ready to rush out as well. But as I turn I’m immediately pinned by a brooding, menacing Brady hovering in my space.

“Be my date for Dylan’s party, Moe. Me and you, please. I missus.”

“Do you?” I scoff, shoving against his chest, not budging him whatsoever. “Could’ve fooled me! What’s with the doom and gloom pouting then? You could have gotten up and hugged me, called me, anything! Didn’t seem like you missed us? Which, P.S., isexactlythe reason I said no to more in the first place!”

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