Page 113 of Love & Other Disasters

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah. My brother showed up today. After eleven months of nothing.”

“He went to see your mom?”

“Nope. He was here when I got home.”

“Did you talk to him?”

“I punched him in the stomach.”

“Jordan. You need to communicate.”

“It got my point across.”

“With words. You’re so good with everyone else.”

“He’s a dick.”

“So was Geoff, and you didn’t hit him.”

“Ethan’s different.”

“How?”

“He’s my brother. And as far as I know, doesn’t run a drug dealing cult. But, it is about him shirking all responsibilities in taking care of our mom.”

“Fair point. But yes, he’s your brother, and you need to talk to him.”

It wouldn’t do a bit of good. “All right,” he said. “I’ll talk to him.”

“Keep it positive, and he’ll come around. You may have to give him suggestions on things to do.”

Oh he had suggestions. “The only thing he’s done the last ten years is keep his wife pregnant.”

“Maybe they’re not all his.”

He laughed. “I love your evil little mind, Violet.”

“I don’t have an evil mind,” she laughed, “just wanted to make you laugh.”

“I can’t wait until I see you again.”

“Me too.”

“Send me a picture.”

“Okay.”

“Naked.”

“What?”

“Please.”

“Can’t you imagine me? You’ve seen it all.”

“It’ll get me through until you get here.”

Nervous laughter filled his ears. “I’ve never done anything like that.”

She’d also never gone to a man’s room the first night she met him and rocked his world, either. But he wouldn’t bring it up. That might embarrass her, even though it was with him. And it didn’t turn out to be a one-night stand.

“Neither have I, but I’ll send you one of me, too. How about that?”

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