Page 205 of 7+Us Makes Nine

“Not for an hour. But we should have dinner. I haven’t seen you in forever.”

“You saw me three days ago. And what about Kit Kat?” I could hear her frown and it made me chuckle.

“Kevin. His name is Kevin.” She hated when I called him that. I couldn’t help not liking him, anyone who dated my big sister had to jump through fiery hoops to win her over. “And he is away on business, remember?”

Oh. No wonder she was bothering me. She was lonely. Kevin was a medical sales rep, so his job kind of had him running around a lot. I think they’ve been dating…four months now. Five?

“Right. Sure, we can have dinner. I’m not leaving the penthouse though.”

She giggled.

“Okay. I’ll bring our favorite. See you!” She hung up, her chipper voice ringing in my ear.

I finished the rest of the movie. The new one about fast cars with the guy from Breaking Bad. I suck at names. It was about seven, and then my mother called me. It must have been bother Tristan day. There are at least three every week.

“Hey, Mom.” I answered.

“Honey, you sound so tired. I thought you didn’t even work anymore.” I rolled my eyes. Selling a company off doesn’t mean I don’t work anymore.

“I know. I’m not tired.” I lied.

“I wanted to check on you. Did you get you invitation to the gala? You still need it to get in. Natalie told me she spoke with you.”

“Yeah, we’re having dinner tonight. I didn’t get an invitation though.”

“Look in the mail.”

My mom’s voice was very soft and soothing, she hadn’t asked me anything or even given me any advice and I already felt better. I went to the mail opening at my door, sure enough I found a gold bordered, eggplant colored invitation to the charity gala. This one was for a scholarship fund for underprivileged kids.

“I found it.” I told her.

“Good. I’m glad you’re seeing your sister tonight, you know she gets lonely easily. With Kevin being gone and all.”

I nodded to myself.

“Yeah, she does.”

“And how about Vivian?” I still cringed at the sound of her name. Crazy.

Ten years ago, when we first met I was head over heels for her, thought she was the one for me. Then money changed her—she got implants, micro bladed brows, lip injections, injections everywhere pretty much. It was my money too, not that it mattered. I thought I was just helping her in her quest to feel beautiful. Little did I know I was making it easier for her to find someone else.

“What about her, Mom?” I couldn’t hide the frustration in my voice. How many people would ask me about this woman today?

“Did she sign the papers? It has been weeks.”

“I know. No, she hasn’t. Levi is trying to get her to sign by Monday. I want to be done with it.”

“I know, honey. We do too. It’s really too bad what she told everyone, when your dad and I heard about it we tried to set people straight.” She scoffed. Her otherwise soft and easy voice was strained. I hated when Mom worried, especially when it was over me.

“Don’t worry about all that, Mom. People will think what they want.”

“I know, but they shouldn’t. You’re such a good boy. And you’re the one that got hurt here.” She insisted.

“Yeah. But really, don’t worry Mom.”

“I’ll try. Your dad is on the deck with a cigar, he’ll probably call you later.”

“Uh, please tell him not to. I’ve had enough phone calls for the day.”

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