My Brother's Best Friend (18 page)

“Yeah, every day of the week except Wednesday and Friday.”

Megan nodded. “That’s a pretty packed schedule.”

“Yeah, well, it’s not even a full load of classes. It will take me another two years to finish at the rate I’m going.”

“Maybe now with both mine and Mitchell’s incomes, you could go back to full time and finish in two semesters.”

I smiled. I wasn’t about to say I didn’t want to give up my good job and benefits to go to school full time. I was used to my packed schedule and I kind of liked it. More importantly, I didn't want to put that sort of financial pressure on them. “I’ll be upstairs,” I said, pointing toward the stairway.

“Don’t forget to check your phone, it was beeping incessantly earlier,” Emily complained.

“And you’re telling me this now? You could have told me earlier.”

“Eh, I forgot.” She didn’t even look up.

I smiled and shook my head before heading upstairs to check my phone.

Hey Beautiful.

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Sent from Handsome

Hello?

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Hello. Hello. Hello. (That’s an echo if you didn’t get it)

Seriously, Chris. Come on, it’s like 11.

You can’t still be sleeping.

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Sent from a slightly impatient person

Okay when you get this just text me.

I’m dying over here.

Just be glad that I know

you’re safe with Mitch or I would

be over there making sure you were alive

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Sent from an obsessively protective guy

Geez, Dev. I left my phone upstairs.

And Emily didn’t tell me my phone

had been going off until just now.

Phew. I almost texted Mitch to ask you if you had

seen my sweatshirt just so I could make

sure you were all right.

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Sweet or annoying?

I would say creepy, not annoying.

Haha, just messing with you. I think

it’s sweet, you care for my wellbeing.

I do. So, are we good for dessert tonight?

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Eagerly waiting for a response

It’s a go. I told them last night, so I’m free.

M&M wanted to know if I wanted to do

something before dinner.

You should go do something. You’re probably

just in your room reading for class.

Go have some fun, it’s your birthday

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By the way HBTY

Happy Birthday To ME! Haha.

I don’t have anything I want to do, though.

What about a movie?

It’s not my birthday.

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Thus the Happy Birthday To YOU.

I know. I was asking if you would go too.

I don’t want to just go with my family.

How is that supposed to work?

—————————————————-

I don’t see a feasible way

I put my brother’s name into my phone.

Hey Mitch, Megan said you’d do something with me before dinner?

Sure. You have something in mind?

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Sent from the iPhone of Mitchell Walsh

Me and Devin were going to watch a movie while

you guys were away but we never got around to going.

Maybe we could all go see a movie before dinner.

Sure. Sounds good. Just pick the movie and time.

I’ll be home in ten minutes.

Should we invite Devin

since you had planned on it earlier?

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Sent from the iPhone of Mitchell Walsh

Sure. He’d probably appreciate that.

I can let him know.

Okay. Thanks, Christy.

Maybe you should invite him to dinner too.

He is practically family,

and he helped out this past week.

Least I could do is buy him dinner.

That is, of course, if you agree.

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Sent from the iPhone of Mitchell Walsh

Fine. We probably owe him. He did do a lot of the cooking.

Actually that probably works better, because Larissa and

Zach invited him for dessert too. They are all like best buds

at the studio. Thanks, Mitch.

Good. I’m glad he’ll be going.

I know you get on really well with Larissa, but

I wasn’t sure how I felt about you going alone.

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Sent from the iPhone of Mitchell Walsh

I am 23 and capable of taking care of myself, you know.

But I’m glad you are looking after me.

See you soon.

Devin... You are invited to the movie and to dinner.

And I managed to make Mitch think it was his idea.

Hmm. This might actually work.

Though I don’t know how to explain driving

you to dessert with Larissa and Zach.

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Sent from a pondering man

Don’t ponder too hard. I already handled

it and Mitch actually liked the idea

of you going with me.

You think of everything.

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I bow down to the Master

Hardly.

You must have your mind on other things.

Now help me pick out something to watch.

There’s a 3:45 showing or a 4:00 showing

of that new action movie that just came out.

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Sent from “I’m good with either of those”

Let’s do the 3:45 showing.

A woman who knows what she wants.

Should I meet you at the theatre?

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Sent from a man who also knows what he wants

I walked downstairs, my phone in my pocket, and found Megan unpacking things in the master bedroom. “Hey,” I said, leaning against the doorframe.

Megan jumped a little, startled by my voice. “Sorry, I didn’t see you there. What’s up, Christy?”

“So I took you guys up on the offer. I decided I wanted to watch a movie. It starts at 3:45, so it will end just in time for dinner afterward.”

“Awesome. Mitch said he was on his way home, so we could leave in maybe an hour?”

“Sounds good. I’ll go tell Emily.”

I walked to the living room and found her watching TV. “Hey, Em, we’re going to the movies in an hour and then going to dinner.”

“Whatever, I’ll be ready.”

“Glad to hear it. It wouldn’t have mattered to me if we took you still in your pajamas and no makeup.”

“You would never get me out of the house looking like this,” she said, shooting daggers at me with her eyes.

“Just be down here in an hour, ready to go.” I pulled my phone out and texted Devin the time we were leaving.

Awesome. I’ll see you there.

Just make sure Emily doesn’t sit next to me

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Sent from a slightly terrified man

Haha. She’s not that scary, but that’s a no brainer.

I wouldn’t dream of making you sit next to her.

Thanks, CJ.

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Sent from a grateful man

You can thank me later.

Believe me, I will.

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You can count on it

I grabbed a quick snack then went upstairs to get ready and get through some more of my book. I looked in my closet and chose the blue and black dress I bought on sale off a designer clothing website that sold all sorts of things for half off when certain places were getting ready to put new lines in their store. It was a Dolce & Gabbana dress cropped above the knees with intricate lace and beading.

I paired it with a black jacket that matched the dress well and my Steve Madden shoes. I was pretty proud of the ensemble when it was time to go. I didn’t feel too dressed up nor did I feel second rate.

“You look amazing, Christy,” Megan said, looking pretty good herself. “Are those shoes Steve Madden?”

I looked down at my shoes, even though I didn’t have to see them to answer the question. “Yes. I found them for forty percent off because they had a small spot on them, but I got it out pretty easily.”

“Nice,” she said. “I definitely have to go shopping with you if you can find those for nearly half off.”

“Sure, anytime.”

Mitch emerged from the bedroom in a nice suit and tie just as Emily walked down the stairs clad in her own ensemble. “Does she know Devin is coming?” I whispered softly to Mitch.

“I might have said something to Megan, and Em just happened to overhear.”

I shook my head. “Devin’s going to hate you so bad.” I almost smiled at the hilarity of it all.

“Okay, let’s go,” Mitch announced and soon enough we were piled into his Mercedes and driving to the theatre.

Devin was waiting outside by the ticket booth when we walked up. “I bought the tickets already. It’s the least I can do if you’re doing dinner,” he said to Mitch, but his eyes kept wandering to gaze at me.

“Thanks, man. Oh, and sorry in advance. I created a monster.”

Devin didn’t need to ask what he meant because right about that time Emily walked up to Devin. “Thank you, Devin. It was sweet of you to buy our tickets.”

“Sorry, I didn’t know you were coming. I would have gotten a child’s ticket had I known. I’ll go get one now.”

Emily huffed and grabbed one of the tickets from his hand. “I’m not a child.”

“You sure act like it,” I blurted out.

Mitch hit my arm, chastising me for my comment.

We walked in the theatre and Mitch offered to buy drinks and popcorn if we saved him a seat. “Em, can you help me?”

She huffed angrily, knowing what he was doing. “I prefer not to.”

“Too bad. Stay here and help me.”

The rest of us walked ahead and entered the theatre, looking for seats. I was the first one in, followed by Devin and then Megan. She left a spot open for Mitch and we waited patiently, watching the pre-preview ads.

“You look amazing,” Devin whispered.

I smiled over at him then quickly glanced to Megan. She was watching the screen. “No funny stuff. Mitch will be right next to you.”

“I wasn’t going to try anything,” he said softly as he maneuvered to take his jacket off. He draped it over his lap slightly over me and moved his hand underneath to stroke my thigh. I jumped slightly and glanced at Megan to make sure she didn’t notice anything. She was watching the screen and every so often watching for Mitch to come in.

I moved my hand under the jacket and grabbed his hand, taking it in mine. “If you keep doing that, this whole theatre will get a show before the show.”

“I wouldn’t mind,” he whispered.

“I’m sure you wouldn’t, but if you’re going to play dirty…”

I let go of his hand and moved mine to his inner thigh. Before I could do anything more, Devin’s hand stopped me. “That’s cruel.”

I smiled. “I’m sorry. It’s just, now you know what you were doing to me.”

“Fair enough,” he said, taking my hand in his and entwining our fingers. “I’ll just be content to hold your hand then.”

I glanced over again at Megan and saw her waving at Mitch. Emily walked up first and stepped over Megan to sit next to Devin. “Emily,” Megan said, “that’s for Mitchell.”

“Whatever. I want to sit here,” she said, plopping down next to Devin. He let go of my hand and stood up. “Mitch can sit here then,” he said, moving to the other side of me. He pushed up the arm rest between us and draped his jacket back over our laps.

“I’m cold, Devin. Can I use your jacket?” she tried once more. I was afraid she would pull the jacket away before waiting for a response and find our entwined fingers.

“You should have brought your own jacket, Emily,” Mitch said, sitting down next to her.

“Whatever,” she said angrily. “I’m going to find my own seat.” She stood up and walked past Devin and I and sat three rows below us.

Mitch shook his head. “Here, I got drinks and popcorn.” He handed me two cups and a bag of popcorn.

“Thanks, Mitch.”

He nodded his head and whispered something to Megan before he leaned over. “We’re going to go sit with Em. You can stay here. I just think we better keep an eye on her.”

I nodded my head and watched as Mitch and Megan stood up and walked down to Emily’s row.

“Well, that’s convenient,” Devin whispered in my ear.

I turned to look at him and smiled. “Hey.”

“Hey, beautiful, I’ve missed these lips,” he said and before I could stop him, he pressed his lips to mine.