Page 38 of Quarantine Crush
My brother’s shaggy, black hair comes into view, and I’m surprised to see that he’s filled out a lot since I last saw him. Every time we’ve Facetimed, he’s kept the camera too close for me to see how much he’s grown.
“Wow, Christian,” Emy says. “Did you grow again since the last time I saw you?”
Christian nods and shoots her a grin, his dimples popping. “Another three inches.”
“Agh,” Emy says. “Stop it! You’re getting too big.”
“That’s what she said,” Christian mutters, and the dads slap him on the back of the head. “Ow,” he wines. “Sorry, Emy. That was inappropriate, especially since you’ll probably be my sister someday.”
The dads laugh, but Emy’s face turns bright red. Her eyes shoot to me, and I don’t have time to even contemplate the idea of Emy being my wife. Or what to say to the fact that he said it out loud and the rest of the family didn’t miss a beat.
It makes me wonder if this is what the dads are up to with their whole ‘quarantine together’ strategy.
“Quit being a little shit,” I growl. “You know Emy is my best friend.”
“Emy is also banging.” Christian smirks, and I watch with satisfaction as the dads smack him in the back of the head once more. “What?” Christian asks, rubbing the spot. “All I’m saying is Emy is smokin’, and she’s not gonna wait around forever for Knox to stop being stupid and realize that. I want her to know that there’s another Jacobs man willing to step up and make her a legally binding member of this family. You know what I’m saying?”
“Christian, go to your room,” my father sighs.
Christian shrugs and turns to leave. He stops, turning back to the camera. For a second, I think he’s going to apologize. But then, his lips curve, and I know I’ve overestimated him. Nope. He winks, the little shit, before sauntering off.
“So, what have you two been doing?” Emy’s dad asks, clearly trying to steer the conversation back on track. Except that his question does the opposite.
Emy shifts nervously beside me.
I shrug, forcing myself to act normal. “Playing some cards. Ordered some pizza.”
“Pizza and Bullshit, huh?” my dad asks, smiling like a fucking loon.
I bite back a groan. Could he be any more awkward?
“Yeah, just like old times,” Emy adds, and her dad frowns.
“Well, I’m glad you’re eating, but be careful,” he says.
“We wore masks to the front door to pick it up from the delivery guy,” Emy assures him. “And lunch was from Reed, but he left it outside the–”
“Oh, how is Reed?” her dad asks, his expression lighting up so much that I can’t help the scowl I know I’m wearing now.
“He’s good. Says he’ll use the quarantine to test out some new recipes,” Emy says.
“Well, you can tell him we’re happy to serve as guinea pigs anytime,” her dad says.
Emy’s tense as she nods. “Sure, I’ll let him know.”
I force myself to breathe evenly and wait until the conversation returns to safer–not to mention less irritating–topics, but my dad leans in, and I know from his expression that ship has sailed.
“You all right, son?”
Emy glances at me.
Both the dads look at me expectantly.
“I’m fine.”
“Uh-huh. What did you think of Reed?” my dad asks, and I make a mental note to buy him coal for Christmas.
“I didn’t think anything,” I grumble. “I barely know the guy.”
