Page 82 of Puck with Karma
“Yeah, but still,” Hannah protests. “That’s your brother. It’s not like you’re trying to make Xander jealous by shoving his rival in his face.”
“The problem is…” I let out a heavy sigh again. It seems that’s all I’ve been doing for the last twenty-four hours. “I never told Xander that Brandon was my brother.”
Hannah takes her eyes off the road for a moment to stare at Riley, who is staring at me.
“Why not?” She sounds incredulous.
“I don’t know,” I shrug. “It just never came up. I never thought it was important.”
“But you said you’re in love with the guy.” I have to strain my ears to hear Riley when she speaks.
“I am!”
Now she’s looking even more confused.
“What’s the big deal then? It doesn’t make any sense.”
I stick my hands in my hair again, ready to pull it all out.
“I haven’t seen or spoken to my brother in years. I didn’t want our relationship to be made public before he and I even got back in contact. I know it’s stupid, but…”
“That’s actually a good point,” Hannah agrees. “And now that you said it, I probably would’ve done the same.”
I look up, relief flooding my body.
“Thank you!”
Riley brings us back on track.
“But I still don’t understand why Xander would be mad at you for looking up Brandon.”
“He didn’t say, but I think he thought there was more to the story than I was saying. Which is true, there is,” I rush to admit. “But he thought I had feelings for Brandon…”
“Ewww!”
Both Hannah and Riley make a funny face, making me laugh.
“So all this drama because he’s jealous?”
I shake my head, unsure of what to say. “I… I think so.”
Riley finally turns in her seat so that she’s facing forward, while Hannah is driving, eyes on the road. Nobody is speaking.
“That’s just stupid,” Riley speaks up. “This is what happens when you tell people that you love them too soon.”
My mouth drops in shock, and I stare at the back of her head.
“Are you saying it is my fault?”
She crosses her arms over her chest and pouts.
“No,” she denies. “I’m just saying it is stupid.”
Silence again for a few very long minutes.
“Well, this is awkward,” Hannah mumbles. “So much for us being excited that you’re home. Are we just gonna cry in our cereal for the duration of the visit?”
I slap at the back of her seat, trying not to laugh.
