Page 6 of Crash

“I wanted to see which one of you wants to take their favorite little brother to lunch.” I finally manage to get out of Troy’s headlock and playfully shove him away.

“That’s why I’m here too. You have time?” Troy asks.

Jake gets up and grabs his coat. “I have a meeting in about an hour, so let’s go somewhere where I can get something quick and light. Sandy’s making pasta for dinner tonight. Apparently, someone gave us a pasta maker as a wedding gift.” We start to walk out of the office, Troy stops us.

“Homemade pasta? Tonight?”

“Yeah,” Jake says.

“I’m free tonight,” Troy says, fishing for an invitation. He’s a rookie. I already know I’m going to show up at Jake’s tonight. He’ll be annoyed, but Sandy will welcome me with open arms, especially when I tell her how hungry I am.

“You should make some plans then, Troy,” Jake says as he opens the door to his office.

“Come on! Let us come over.”

Jake lets out a loud laugh. “Why would I do that? You think I would give up having my wife and I feed each other while she sits on my lap so I can entertain you and your family? Do I look crazy to you?” I hold in my laugh since I’m about to ruin Jake’s plans with his wife tonight. He should let Troy come too, but if there is one thing Jake hates, it’s having his alone time with Sandy interrupted.

“Because I’m your brother and neither I nor my wife can cook.”

I laugh so hard I snort. “Yeah, we all remember that vegan pizza you served at the last brunch,” I remind him. Since both brothers are married and have resolved their issues for the most part, they take turns hosting a brunch once a month. It’s between Jake and Sandy, Troy and Tracy, and Sandy’s sister, Tash and her husband Chris.

“And I thought the vegan cheese was the most offensive thing I ever tasted until I tried the vegan pepperoni,” Jake says.

I chuckle and tap my shoulder with his.

“You think I liked that shit? Tracy’s off her vegan phase, though, and you two complained so much I ended up ordering regular pizza.” Troy says.

I make vomit sounds, and he slaps me upside the head.

“And Sandy won’t mind. Luke, call and ask her,” Troy says to me. As much progress as my brothers have made, Troy would not go so far as to call Sandy himself. I give Jake the middle finger and pull out my phone. He tries to grab it from me, but Troy blocks him. I dial Sandy and she picks up on the second ring. I put her on speaker and stick my tongue out at Jake.

“Hey, sis-in-law. You think Troy and I can come by for pasta night?”

“Tell him no, baby. They want to ambush our night.”

“Troy never has anything worth eating at his house, and I’m just greedy,” I say to her.

“You know you guys are always welcome. I’m going to make a bunch of different stuff, so eat a light lunch.”

Troy and I high five each other and Jake just looks pissed.

“Gotta run to the store. Jake?” Sandy says.

“I’m right here.”

“I’m going to make you a little something spicy.”

“You’re my little something spicy,” Jake says.

I put my finger in my mouth and pretend to puke.

“This won’t be as spicy as me, but you’ll love it.”

Jake groans and I pull the phone away from him, disgusted.

“No phone sex on my phone, please. We’ll see you later, Sandy.”

“Okay. I love you, Jacob!” she yells but I hang up the phone before Jake can reply.

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