Page 47 of We Are the Stars

“May have heard a rumor or two.”

The body language between them is relaxed, which surprises me since Carsen is usually so uptight, especially when people bring up what happened.

“What’d you need, Fish?”

“Uh, it’s not important.”

“Fish…”

He sighs and rubs at the back of his neck. “I wanted to see if you’d walk to the store with me later.”

“Of course I will.”

“Cool. I’ll let you get back to…well, each other.”

I cackle again as Carsen shakes his head, muttering, “Coolest brother ever.”

“Keep it in your pants, Wheatley!” Fish says through the closed door.

“I think he likes you,” I say.

“What’s with walking to the market? Why not drive?”

“Fish doesn’t drive anymore.”

Carsen nods, understanding immediately. “Trauma. I can understand that one.”

The door flies open again, only this time it’s my dad.

“I heard something about pants coming off?” His brow is raised in a challenging manner—at least it would seem so to anyone who doesn’t know him.

“You just missed it, Dad. Carsen has a great ass, too.”

“You’re trying to kill me, aren’t you?”

“I hear the life insurance policy you have is killer.”

“This is the weirdest family ever. I love it,” Carsen comments.

My dad walks farther into the room and shakes my guest’s hand in a similar manner to my brother. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Carsen.”

“I’ve heard a lot about you, sir.”

“Your mom…” Dad’s eyes water with unshed tears, his voice heavy with emotion. “She was amazing. The brightest star in the sky.”

“Funny, she always said the same about you.”

Dad smiles, and it’s a private smile to share only with Carsen. “Well, I’ll leave you kids alone. Just wanted to come in and make sure no one was getting pregnant.”

“I’m on the pill,” Carsen jokes.

“Damn, boy. You remind me so much of her.”

“I’d like to talk with you about her sometime—if that’s okay, I mean.”

“I have a free afternoon.”

Carsen turns to me. “Do you…”

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