My Best Friend's Brother (13 page)

“Who was that?”

He sipped his milkshake. “That was nobody.”

I nodded and looked out my window. From the bit I heard,
nobody
sounded a lot like a girl. “Never met a Nobody before, is that a common name?” I asked with an awkward laugh.

He didn’t find that funny.

“Is something wrong?” I stared at him quizzically.

“Nothing’s wrong.” Yet he was barely breathing.

The silence grew awkward. I began feeling uncomfortable.

“Come on, I know
something’s
wrong. Is it about last night?”

He raised an eyebrow. Our eyes brushed. “No. I just have a lot on my mind.”

“Like…?” I pressed.

He turned to face me. “If you found out something you don’t like about me, would you still stay with me?”

Okay, now he was freaking me out. He’d asked this question before.

My heart raced. I felt myself tremble. “Something like what…?”

“Just something you might have a problem with. Maybe something I didn’t mention before.”

My breath stopped. “That wasn’t your first time, was it?”

“I’m not talking about that. This is something else completely. Just… imagine the worst case scenario,” he struggled, “something taboo, that you’d have a problem with. Would you be mad?”

I couldn’t see what he was getting at. What was he talking about,
worst case scenario
?

My mouth dropped. “Oh my God, do you have an STD?!”

“What!
No!
Absolutely not!” He looked offended. His eyes grew glossy. “It’s nothing
that
bad. I wouldn’t do that…” His voice trailed off. “It’s definitely not that.”

I felt bad. But I was too concerned with what he hadn’t been telling me to apologize. “Oh. Okay.”

Then. Utter. Silence.

I wanted to know who he’d been talking to, because I had a really bad feeling.

“Adonia?” he breathed. “Talk to me.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Are you seeing someone else?”

“No…” He sighed and held his face. “Never mind.”

I laughed, all jittery. My blood was rushing to my ears. I was panting. My body quivered. What did he have to hide that was
so
bad? “
Never
mind?
Luke, I’m confused. I want to know if I’m missing something.”

He started picking at the steering wheel. “You’re not… really.”

“I think I am. Who was on the phone? It’s about
her
.”

He heaved a sigh. “Can we just change the subject?” He looked at me, pale, breathing heavy again.
“Please.”

His response stunned me.

Our eyes were locked for a while, and his look gradually softened. He took my hand. “Look, I’m sorry. I love you, okay?”

“I feel nauseous,” I spat. “I want to go home and go to bed.”

His eyes widened. “
Nauseous
? Why? What’s wrong?”

I smiled mockingly. “It’s
nothing
. I’m just having a bad week.”

He frowned. “Was last night part of your bad week?”

“Not until now.”

His face fell.

The stress was beginning to choke me. I quickly added,

“Look, I didn’t mean it that way.”

“Okay,” he said, “because I don’t want you to regret it.”

“I don’t.” I didn’t touch the rest of my food.

After a while, he sighed, pulled out of the parking spot and started driving. I didn’t see why he couldn’t just tell me whom he was talking to, especially if he’s going to act all weird after talking to her.

I was so anxious. I bet it’s his ex, probably coming up to see him.

I didn’t know what to say, so I peered out my window until the house came into view. When the car stopped, he kissed me lightly.

And for once, I didn’t bother kissing him back.

With a heavy heart, I got out and slammed the door behind me. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” I said, holding back tears.

“Really? That’s it?
Fine.
” He put the car in reverse and peeled out.

I was in shock. I suppose I’d been too harsh, but I wasn’t expecting
that.

I wanted to call him and apologize so bad. But then, why couldn’t he tell me who he was talking to? What
worst case scenario?
Why keep me in the dark about his ex coming up to see him? Why lie to me?

My heart sank. Maybe my dad was right. Maybe Luke was just after something. Maybe he does this to lots of girls.

And I fell for him.
So bad.

XIII

Mom’s plane was scheduled to leave at 4:30. Dad and Sullivan said their goodbyes at home and I drove her, since someone had to bring the Jeep back. Dad was busy himself, packing for Arizona.

Mom wore a black suit and sneakers, and she pulled a ton of luggage through the airport. At her terminal, she hugged me. It was barely even genuine. “I promise I’ll be home for Christmas. Do well in school, okay?”

I nodded, all choked up. Of course I wanted to ask her to stay, but there’s no point, because she couldn’t. She has a
career
.

“Are you all right?” she asked in a higher voice, so I could hear her over the loudspeaker. The airport was bright and practically deserted. It smelled like the floor had just been waxed.

I nodded again, unsure I could find my voice. “I’ll miss you,” I finally uttered, feeling kind of lame.

“Me too. Tell Luke I enjoyed meeting him, okay?” She pulled her glasses down the bridge of her nose and looked at me over them. “Promise you’ll give college some more serious thought.”

“You’ll miss your flight, Mom.”

She pulled her ticket out of her suitcase and waved it at me. “See you soon!” Then she walked off with a slight limp.

I watched as she presented her ticket. She seemed awfully glad to be leaving.

My eyes watered. No matter how much I wanted to chase her, I held back. She’d been doing this since I was ten—you’d think I’d be used to it by now.

I wonder if she enjoyed leaving us to travel the world, to learn interesting things and live with interesting people. I read in my career book that many anthropologists work for universities or museums. They’re not usually in other countries eleven-and-a-half months out of the year. But it’s understandable why she’d turned down that university job when it was offered last April—she’d have to be home with us when she could be doing cool things elsewhere instead.

I left at 5:30, after the final off-duty flight attendant asked me if I was okay. I’d sat there for an hour, pathetic. Her plane was late, but she didn’t even bother coming back to spend a bit of extra time with me. No wonder she didn’t respect Dad’s punishments, or care if I had sex—
she
didn’t have to deal with it—Dad did.

So I decided I’d start being nicer to Dad for a change. At least Dad cares.

~ ~ ~

I got to Lilly’s house fifteen minutes early. It’s a tan, two-story home on Sunny Dale Road, a busy street that’s nowhere near as depressing as Massacre Lane.

Having a full-time mom who loves spending time with you, taking you on vacation and shopping must be great. I literally wished they’d adopt me.

I knocked on her door and kicked the snow off my boots as I waited for someone to answer.

She answered, screaming joyously. She pulled me into her foyer and hugged me, still dressed for Florida; denim shorts and a tight pink Hawaiian tee shirt.

“Wow! It feels like I’ve been gone forever!” She rubbed my cheek. “Uh oh, runny makeup… What’s going on!” she demanded.

I hung up my coat. “My mom left.”

“Oh…” After removing my boots, we went into the living room.

Her living room’s about twice the size of mine. They have a three-piece leather couch set, a cute little fish tank coffee table, a sunflower ceiling fan, a cherry-colored entertainment center, a huge television and a fireplace. The place is squeaky clean and always smells like potpourri; I think her mom buys it by the ton.

“It’ll be okay, Adonia.” Lilly sat on her couch, reached into a bag by her side and pulled out a small box. “For you, like I promised!”

I sat beside her and opened the box with the pretty white bow. Earrings. Silver dolphin earrings. “These are cute!”

She pulled something else out. “And here’s a Minnie Mouse from our trip to Disney World!”

I laughed and squeezed her tight. “Thanks. I’m
so
glad you’re home early. I’ve been miserable.”

“
Miserable?
You weren’t yesterday!”

I nodded, unsure where to start.

She reached for my diamond heart pendant. “This is new!”

“My boyfriend got it for me.”

She squealed. “So tell me about this
boyfriend
…”

I was about to when the front door opened and the wind crept in. Then the door closed, and I waited for whomever it was to pass.

“Hello, Adonia!” Lilly’s mom called as she hurried into the living room, hauling mass luggage behind her. “How are you?” she asked in her heavy German accent.

I got up and she hugged me. She is no taller than Lilly and she’s thin, with whitening blonde hair and friendly, wrinkling blue eyes. She’s everything my mother isn’t: easy-going, affectionate, stress-free and energetic.

“Good news, the airport found our luggage! It even took them under three hours this time!” she said, setting her purse down. “Did you introduce Adonia to your brother?”

Lilly rolled her eyes and shook her head.

“You should!” She looked me over. “The more friends you have around you the better, especially today. You seem really sad, honey!” She shook her head pitifully. “You know what, I did so much shopping, and I didn’t forget you! I just have to find it.” She looked at her watch. “Are you staying for dinner? I insist. I’ll call your dad and ask if you want me to! Would you like that?”

I smiled weakly. “Sure, why not?”

“Great.” She grabbed the handles on her luggage and hurried behind the swinging door that led to the kitchen, screaming something in German, presumably to somebody upstairs, from her loud tone.

I smiled at Lilly. “I am
so
jealous! Your mom’s so much cooler than mine!”

Lilly tucked her long hair behind her ears and patted the couch. I sat again, facing her. I took a deep breath, not sure where to start with all the details about Luke. But just then she looked past me, and screamed,

“No, you can come in, we’re just talking!”

When I looked over my shoulder, the kitchen door swung like someone just left. “Who was that?”

“My brother. I’ll introduce you two!” she offered cheerfully. She screamed for him in German. When the door creaked, she ordered him over with her finger. She took a deep breath and exhaled. “Okay, Adonia,
finally
, this is my twin brother, Lukasz!”

I looked over my shoulder again.

And there he was, in denim shorts and a yellow muscle shirt, with a crooked smile, waving at me.

I did a double take.

At no time in my life did I feel like a bigger idiot! And this idiot wasn’t breathing!

“Adonia?” Lilly looked concerned. “What’s wrong?”

Our eyes met.
Then
I saw the resemblance. They aren’t identical twins! Boys and girls are fraternal! That’s why he’s taller! That’s why their eyes are different! And he never spoke with an accent, because he spent more time with his father in the states. It was all coming together… and I felt sick.

“His name’s what?!” I shrieked. It sounds like Lucas, but ends in
-esh
.

“Lukasz,” she confirmed. “Our dad’s Polish, he named him.”
That
was the name she mentioned
a million times
, and the name I
forgot
a million times, because my mind wanders and it’s not even American!

“No wonder I couldn’t remember it!” I blurted.

Lilly just stared at me.

“I want to go home,” I said a bewildered moment later, my lower lip trembling.

She frowned. “
What
? Why? You said you’d stay for dinner, you can’t go. And you have to tell me about this guy! I came home early just to hear about him!”

I eyed Luke.

Lukasz
to be more precise.

Luke sat on the love seat a few feet away, hunched over, head hung.

Sadly, he is still
insanely
freaking
hot
.

“See, Beautiful?” Luke exclaimed. “I don’t have an STD.”

Lilly sneered. “Ew?
WHAT?!
”

Luke cleared his throat. “Lilly, Mom called.”

Lilly checked over her shoulder. “No, she didn’t. God, you need your hearing checked!”

“She did, okay?” he said sternly. “Get in the kitchen!”

She got to her feet and placed her hands on her hips. “Make me.”

He sighed and pointed to me. “I need to talk to her. In private.”

She rolled her eyes. “You just freakin’ met her, what could there possibly be to talk about
in
private?
Besides, she
has
a boyfriend.”

He stared her down, and after a minute, she stomped off into the kitchen.

Our eyes met briefly. I understood now.
This
is what I didn’t know! I’ll bet he spent this
whole time
thinking,

Lilly’s best friend is a complete moron!

That’s what I’m thinking, too, so I can’t blame him.

“Is this what you’ve been trying to tell me?” My voice was shaky. I was angry, but I was also a bit relieved.

His palms opened. “I honestly didn’t know until after we started going out. I’m really sorry I didn’t tell you.” His hands fell to his sides and his voice softened. “I didn’t know how you’d react. Or how to say it. I thought—for girls—maybe it’s against the rules…taboo…or something.”

“So you let me find out like
this?
”

“Look, nothing’s changed. I love you.”

I laughed through flowing tears. To make matters worse, Lilly marched back in. She stood before us with her arms crossed. “Okay, I’m no dumb blonde, people,
tell me
what is going on!” She looked at me. “Who’s this boyfriend of yours, anyway?”

Our eyes met. I was afraid to say it. I was afraid she’d be mad. “His name is Luke Pawlak, and he’s sitting right there.” My stomach tied itself in a knot.

She looked at her brother in horror, like he was an insect. Her mouth hung. When she finally found her voice she screamed, “What did you
do!
”