Page 2 of Bossy Hero

I shake my head. “No way, bro.”

“What? I like girls too.”

“I’d be surprised if you didn’t, but these are women. Not little girls.”

“Likeoldwomen?” he taunts. “How much older? Like Mom’s age?” He cups his hands in front of his chest. “Saggy boobs and all?”

“Don’t be skeevy. They aren’t old. They’re just too old for you.”

“Maybe one of them has a younger sister. Did you ask?”

“Listen, kid. It ain’t happening. Helping my little brother lose his virginity isn’t on the to-do list Mom left me. Go fuck your fist until you can bag a chick of your own. Don’t forget the lotion.”

He shrugs, clicking his tongue. “Maybe I’ll take your girl.”

For being a shithead, he’s got moxie. I’ll give him that much.

“As if,” I drawl, impersonating the hot blond chick in that stupid movie to hopefully get a laugh out of him.

“YetI’mthe lame one,” he scoffs, rolling his eyes overdramatically.

I extend my hand toward him to help him off the beanbag. “Come on. Out of my room. I need to go, or I’ll be late. I’ll leave you some pizza money. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone.”

After he rises, he stomps his foot.Classic Daniel. “Come on, Al. Can I go with you?Please.”

“No way.”

Some of his broodiness fades, dread replacing it. “Don’t leave me here alone. I hate being in this huge fucking house by myself. It’s creepy. Especially at night.”

“You’re such a... shit,” I mutter under my breath, thankfully managing to choke back thechickenI’d wanted to inject before the wordshit. It’s not his fault he’s scared of his own damn shadow.

He plants his feet in front of me, holding his hands in prayer position. “I’ll be cool. I promise.”

Highly unlikely. Daniel’s cool factor is far below sea level.

Nonetheless, I’m starting to cave to his begging. For all my bluster, I love my brother. We used to be close. Now? We’re at different stages in life. He’s still in high school, and I just turned twenty-one. The list of things we have in common is smaller than a pen tip.

Dialing back my annoyance, I explain, “I’m sorry. I can’t bring you. What if we go to the club? You aren’t old enough to get in.”

“Just have Robbie get me a fake ID. He said he could.”

I shuffle behind my brother, grab his scrawny shoulders, and shove him toward the door. “Robbie talks a lot of shit. He can’t get you an ID. Trust me.”

“Dad said he’s nothing but trouble. If Robbie can’t get me one himself, he probably knows someone who could.”

My head kicks back, and my feet stutter a step.

Oblivious to my reaction, Daniel continues. “And he’ll do anything for a few bucks. Besides, have you seen his shoes? We’d be doing him a favor by letting him earn some cash.”

My head kicks back. “Dad said that about Robbie?”

“Yeah. He also told me to tell him if Robbie comes over here, but I didn’t rat you out. Because I’m a good brother. Unlike you, who wants to leave me alone. At night.”

An uncomfortable sensation starts in my gut and twists steadily back and forth. Something about this doesn’t sit right with me.

My father’s a damn good judge of character. Maybe he’s right about Robbie. Does he see something I don’t?

Nah. Robbie’s become a close friend over the last year. I’m just being paranoid. I’d know if he were up to no good, especially right under my nose. Like my father, I’ve always been able to read people.

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