Page 36 of Stepbrothers with Benefits
“And the psychology?”
“Interesting... Eli’s majoring in psychology. He’s been through therapy quite a few times, since you know, his mom. I think that made an impression on him. He’s gonna specialize in kids. Specifically ones a lot of people call ‘difficult.’”
“I think I can see why.”
“Yeah, it’s not exactly subtle, is it?”
“No,” he chuckled. “And your other siblings?”
“Moira got a double in business administration and accounting. Mason didn’t bother with college...well, classes. Pretty sure he was on campus several times, but for different reasons than the rest of us. And Dom is a professional UFC fighter.”
“Wait,” Marshall’s eyes widened. “Dom...as in Dominic Ramos?”
“The one and only,” I said with a wink. “He’d be so embarrassed that you knew who he was just from Dom and the fact that he’s a fighter.”
“I mean, he has a solid record,” Marshall said approvingly. “And there’s been a lot of talk about how much better he’s gotten. And even more talk about whether he’ll take the championship in the next year or two.”
“He’s determined to,” I said. “In the off-season, he comes back to Cresson Point, but he’s always training. It’s hard to tell who focuses more on their work.”
“What, between Dom and... Moira?”
“Actually, Dom and Mason.”
“Really?”
“Really, really.”
“Huh, everything you said marks him as a little irresponsible...fun, but irresponsible.”
“Nah, that’s me,” I said with a grin. “Mason is stupidly good at whatever he decides to do. That club of his has only been around for a few years, and it’s really popular, up in Seattle, where bars and clubs open and close within a year constantly, but he’s been in the black since the first year, and keeps going up. Whatever he does next is probably going to be just as good. Both twins have a good head for business, Moira just kept hers focused on the family and lineage, which suits her. Mason was always the adventurous one, so no one was surprised when he struck out on his own.”
“Wait, you never mentioned Arlo.”
“Oh...that, uh?—”
“Bad?”
“A little morbid. Not the best conversation starter.”
“What, is he a taxidermist or something?”
“In a twisted way, you’re close.”
“How?”
“Mortician.”
A line of thought creased Marshall’s forehead before he let out an ugly snort. “Right, I guess that is close to a taxidermist...in a very twisted way.”
“See?” I asked with a chuckle. “Poor Arlo always gets two different reactions. Fascination in an uncomfortable way, or discomfort.”
“In an uncomfortable way? What, like people ask him all sorts of questions about dead bodies?”
“Well that and they’re the type of people who aren’t uncomfortable with death and dead bodies like the second sort are, but they also ask probing questions abouthim. Like, therehas to be somethingwrongwith him to do that for a living,” I said, frowning heavily. “He says it doesn’t bother him, but he’s also the best out of all of us at hiding his feelings. People treat him like there’s something wrong, and there’s nothing wrong with him. He’sweird, but what brother doesn’t think their brother is weird?”
“But only you’re allowed to treat him like he’s weird,” Marshall said with a chuckle.
“Spoken like someone who knows a thing or two about siblings.”
