Page 32 of The Wrong Brother

“Why do you have a suitcase in there, Raff?” Mina is scrutinizing me. Dammit.

I shrug, grabbing my backpack from the ground. “I hate plastic laundry baskets.” I turn my back on them to avoid their eyes. That was weak. I’m not sure they’ll buy it and that’s even less likely if they’re looking at me.

“Why are you changing in the parking lot?”

“Early clients.” I toss my bag into my car, looking back at them again. “Is it ok that I parked here? I’m not staying, but this is slightly more private than changing clothes on the side of Keawe Street.”

“No worries,” Griff tells me, waving it off like a persistent insect. “You headed back out again?”

I look at my watch. “I’ve got another couple of hours. I figured I’d go to the beach or something.”

“Come up. I’m making coffee.” I follow them back up to Griffin’s apartment, feeling less like a third wheel than I’d expect to. “What’s Catherine up to this morning?”

I answer without even thinking about it. “She likes to take the early spin class before she gets ready for work.”

Mina looks at me out of the corner of her eye. I can guess what she’s thinking and it’s too early. Here’s to hoping Griffin doesn’t leave us alone. Unfortunately, he does, almost immediately. He’s a big coffee snob, that brother of mine, and we’ll have to wait for his pour-over magic. He sets the water to boil and goes back to his bedroom to change clothes. The moment the door closes Mina pounces on me.

“I see you, Rafferty Simms! You are letting yourself go all in, being totally invested, and you haven’t said anything to Catherine about your real feelings, have you?”

I shake my head at her. “It’s too early for this, Meens. I haven’t even had coffee yet and you want me to do a deep-dive analysis of myself before Griffin comes back from changing? Uh uh. Can’t do it.”

“Raff. You need to talk to her. Even if you don’t completely bare your soul, you should at least tell her that this could be something more—for her as well as for you!” Her vehement whispering is basically as loud as a normal speaking voice.

I shake my head again and Griffin saves me by returning to the kitchen. He bustles around grinding beans, measuring the grounds, pulling out his special chemistry set looking shit. I focus on his actions and Mina doesn’t push. She’s not being considerate though. I know her. She’s lying in wait, like a lioness.

“Babe? What can I do to convince you to run over to ARVO to grab us some breakfast?”

He leans over, saying something in her ear. She giggles and blushes. They think they’re being quiet but there’s nothing wrong with my hearing.

“But you never gave them back. You put them in your pocket.” Mina whispers like she’s projecting to the cheap seats on the balcony.

Griffin grins at her. “Just the heels then.”

“Could you pick up some bleach for my brain while you’re out? Or maybe some of those industrial-grade earplugs? You two suck at whispering.”

Griffin flips me off, laughing his way out of the apartment and I’m slow on the uptake. I’m laughing too until I realize what Mina orchestrated. We’re here alone. I turn slowly and Mina is leaning against the counter, arms crossed, a sassy smirk on her face.

“Masterful, Meens. I guess we’re still talking about this then?”

“Not in the way that you think. I want to help you and, by extension, my sister.”

“Help how? Your expression spells trouble, not assistance.”

“I get that you’re concerned about opening up to her. Maybe you’re right. Maybe it’s too early. But I think you can bring her around another way.” She’s staring at me expectantly.

“Is this the part where I ask how, for the second time, and you launch into an enthusiastic, high-volume infomercial-style pitch?”

“Fine, take all the fun out of everything. We’ll justtalkabout it like two incredibly boring people. You guys have talked about past relationships, ya? So you know aboutAll Veneer and No Substance Connor Jennings.”

“Yep. And all the others. Cheating assholes.” I spit out.

Mina looks confused. “All? Besides Conner you mean?”

“Yeah, I mean, all of them. Every boyfriend.” I don’t understand what we’re talking about now. Our wires got crossed somewhere.

“You’re telling me Catherine hasnevernot been cheated on?!” Mina screeches at me, her voice more than making up for her lack of height.

My stomach drops. “Fuck! Did you not know that? She didn’t say it was a secret.”Shitshitshit.

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