Page 5 of Summer Waves

Usually, I would skip lunch, but Jacob had insisted on taking me out to lunch. His treat since he had just gotten paid. I couldn’t pass up on an opportunity of him actually paying for something. The Italian restaurant we were at wasn’t too far fromForks & Spoonsso I could always run back if I needed to. Even though Ricardo and Tabitha told me to take my time.

“Sorry. I’m just excited,” Jacob said weakly and then shrugged. It broke my heart to see the happiness in his eyes dwindle.

“Do you like the hours?” I asked. Jacob was all smiles again.

“They’re awesome. I get to surf in the morning, nap in the afternoon, and then go to work. Life is good, Bethany. I have money in my pocket and can actually take a girl out on a date without borrowing money from mom and dad or one of you four.”

One of you fourwas in reference to my sisters and me. Because God forbid he actually took the time to say each of our names.

“Well, it is a start, Jacob Waya Nez,” I smirked. He rolled his eyes at my use of his full name. “What? I’m one of the four, and you’re Jacob Waya Nez.”

“It takes too long to list all of you. None of you guys go by nicknames,” he groaned.

“What’s wrong with our names?”

“They’re fucking long as fu–” When I glared at him for his foul mouth in public, he shut up real quick. The few people who had heard him, he offered them an apologetic smile and then looked at me. “Sorry.”

“We all cuss, but do you have to do it in the middle of a restaurant?”

“I said I was sorry. Sheesh.” He pulled out his wallet and pulled out a few twenties.

“Look at you, Richie Rich,” I smirked and he laughed.

“Feels nice to have something in this old thing.” Jacob waved the waitress over. “We’ll take the check whenever you can.”

“Sure thing,” she smiled brightly at my brother. When she didn’t move and continued smiling at him, I had to roll my eyes.

Jacob always caught attention everywhere he went. Women loved his tan skin, long surfer hair, and physique. All my friends wanted to have sleepovers just so they could see him. And, he is three years younger than me. Little bastard.

“Can you either ask him for his number or go grab the check, please?” I interrupted the waitress’s googly eyes on my brother, who was busy drinking his sweet tea. The waitress’s cheeks reddened and she quickly walked away from our table. “She’s cute, how come you didn’t ask her out?”

“Huh?” Jacob looked at me with an eyebrow rose.

“You’re an idiot,” I chuckled. “The waitress. She was drooling over you. Why didn’t you ask her for her number?”

“Don’t want it,” he shrugged.

“Don’t want it?” I nearly had a heart attack. My brother was always getting phone numbers. He didn’t believe in commitment so he kept his options open. My sisters and I nagged him about not being a player, but he paid us no mind.

“Nope. I have a girlfriend.”

My fork fell against my plate. Several people in the restaurant turned to our table. I paid them no mind because my wide eyes were locked on Jacob. He shrugged and took another bite of his food.

“A girlfriend?” I gasped. “Like a relationship?”

He continued chewing and nodded. We sat in silence for a minute or so, which irritated the hell out of me. I wanted him to cough up information on this lady, who had settled my brother down.

“Details, Jacob. Since when?”

“A few weeks now.”

My heart was going to stop if he kept up the surprises. I felt like I had been tossed in theTwilight Zoneor maybe I was dreaming. None of this made sense. My irresponsible, ladies’ man brother now had a job and a girlfriend.

“Who is she?” I asked, gathering a fork full of food and taking a bite. Jacob choked from my question. He drank some of his tea and swallowed hard.

“She’s… It doesn’t matter. You won’t care as long as I’m happy right?”

“Jacob,” I warned. “Is it someone I know?” When he started choking on his food, I knew it was. I kept a small circle. A very small circle. In fact, I really didn’t have any friends besides those at the–

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