Page 12 of Off Limits
“I’m sorry but it’s been a revolving door, bro.”
“I know. And for a while, it was what I needed after Lay—”
“Don’t say her name in here.” She swatted him. That bitch slept with one of his best friends in the apartment she shared with Rex. It was repulsive. Revolting. And she wanted none of that negative juju in her house by saying that woman’s name.
“Are you having regrets about the blondie from last night?”
He shrugged. “She wants more. Before I left at the wee hours, she mentioned going to dinner this week.”
“What’s wrong with that?” Maybe Rex getting a girlfriend would loosen his rules about Brady.
“I felt nothing. Nothing. No excitement. No—that might be fun.”
“She’s not the one.” She shrugged. “It will happen one day.”
“I don’t know why I come to you with these issues. It’s not like you’ve ever been in a serious relationship.”
“By choice.” Her voice hardened. She’d dated plenty. The relationships lasted a week or two. One even pushed into a month. But one look at Brady and any interest she had in another man fluttered away like a butterfly fresh out of its cocoon. “But you know T or Brady would laugh you out of the brewery if you told them this. That’s why you confide in me. Don’t you guys have some ‘bro code’ of acting like you have no feelings?”
“Geez. That’s harsh.” He sipped his coffee. “You know I love you, right?”
She rolled her eyes. She remembered her mother’s threat as a teenager. Was it really possible for her eyes to get stuck like that if she rolled them enough? It hadn’t happened yet.
“Of course you do. I’m your favorite person.” She turned to her brother and gave him her biggest smile.
“So why were you sleeping so late? You’re usually cracking the whip before the sun rises.” He flicked his wrist like he was cracking an actual whip.
“It was a late night. I’ve been burning the candle at both ends the last few weeks with the holidays.” She moved about the kitchen, keeping busy so she didn’t have to look at him. Rex knew her well. He’d detect she was hiding something by the expression on her face.
“I hear ya. I’m back on the road in a couple weeks.” His voice lacked his usual enthusiasm for his work travel.
“Any place exciting?” She removed a couple bowls from the dishrack and placed them in the cupboard.
“If by exciting you mean bitter cold, then yes—the Midwest.”
They laughed.
She shivered. “Just the mention of it gives me chills.” They had grown up in Oregon until her freshman year of high school. The Pacific Northwest winters were cold and wet. She’d never move back to anywhere that required six months of layer after layer of clothes. The summers in Florida could be grueling with ninety-five degree temps for six months, but she’d take the heat over freezing her ass off any day.
“Tell me about your agenda.” She walked over to her kitchen table and pulled out the chair.
Rex grabbed the last remaining croissant and the jelly and sat across from her.
“You better plan on splitting that.” She pointed a finger at him.
He tore the croissant in half and handed her a piece. “Of course. Anything for my favorite sister.”
“I’m your only sister, Rexy.” She cocked an eyebrow. “Now get on with it.”
