Page 12 of Love on the Waiver Wire

“Guys can like Taylor Swift too, you know.”

“Whatever. Change it, okay?”

A tight smile spreads across my face as I stare at him, nodding.

He nods back, looking between me and Mila before opening his stupid mouth again. “Where did you get two ladders?”

“I needed them for an art project. Why? Want to help hang these curtains?”

He makes a face, turns on his heel, and leaves before I can ask him for more help. He’s usually the first one to offer, so he’s definitely pissed off at me.

Oh well.

“What’s with your brother?” Mila asks, her eyes wide.

“I don’t know. He’s always a bit odd.”

“You know what they’re saying about him in the tabloids?”

I scoff. “One, who the hell reads tabloids anymore, and two, absolutely not. None of us pay attention to any of that. He has his publicist, and they do their thing. We don’t get involved, and I honestly don’t want to know anything about my brother’s sex life.”

Mila smirks. “So you know it’s about his sex life.”

Okay, she’s got me there. My brother has been in and out of the news online for the past few years. He’s made a name for himself as quite the lady’s man; I’ll leave it at that. Women seem to find the himbo energy he exudes cute. I just find it obnoxious.

“I just don’t want to know specifics. I know what he’s usually in there for, that’s all.” I shrug.

“Well, let’s just say he’s not a lonely guy,” she says before sitting down. I chuck a pillow at her before flopping down myself.

“I love him. I do. I just wish that he would let me have my own life here, you know? I mean, I do. He doesn’t invade my space that much. But I’m tired of being nervous that he’s going to barge in here for whatever reason at any time and just annoy the shit out of me. What if I have someone here? I feel like I’m allowed to have a dating life too.”

Mila picks at the frayed edge of a hole in her jeans before flipping her sleek black hair over her shoulder. “You should get out there, you know.”

“I don’t think I have time,” I tell her simply. Because I don’t think I do. I have so many pieces I need to finish for this show, and then I need to get ready for the show, and then maybe, if it goes well, I’ll book a bigger show, and then I need to get ready for that one. Between all that work, I have to complete several commissions for some of my favorite clients.

I look over at my stack of canvases, immediately finding a small spot that isn’t up to par. I’ll have to fix it later.

Although I love to paint just about everything, I’ve started to make a name for myself with the blend of modern and neo-impressionism styles. I haven’t gotten far yet, but I’ve gotten quite a few clients around the country who commission me occasionally. In the future, I would really love to just paint whatever I’d like and sell at art shows. Maybe I’d end up in a museum someday like my brother will end up in the Hall of Fame.

Biting my lip, I realize I’ve been dazing out when my phone vibrates at my side. I dig it out of my hoodie pocket, confused at the notification.

MagicFantasy: New message from Mission: Possible

Mission: Possible

Hey new guy, ready for the season?

I scratch my cheek, trying to figure out who Mission: Possible is. I can’t ask my brother because he’ll probably choke on air and yell at whoever this is, and I don’t want that to happen. I feel like that would be more suspicious than me just talking to this person.

Cover 1, 2, 3, Let’s Go B?—

I think so, you guys seem fun.

Mission: Possible

I would hope so. Though I was surprised when you picked me first.

Ice runs down my spine as realization hits me. It’s Owen.

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