Page 241 of We Shouldn't Be Together
A look of disgust takes over Freddy’s face. “Excuse me?”
Drew takes a bite and talks as he chews, “Are you still able to keep count of all the girls you’ve been with?”
“Good lord,” Freddy complains, scooting his chair back. “I have not been with that many girls.”
My shoulders jiggle in a silent laugh. “Only because you keep circling back to Amber.”
Freddy huffs. “I amnotwith Amber!”
“Huh?” Amber’s voice sounds in the background, and soon she’s sauntering her way over. “Freddy, did you call me?”
Freddy casually waves his hand. “No, Amber. Sorry.”
Amber flicks her hair, grinning. “Don’t be sorry. It got me over here.”
“Amber!” Mrs. Kim-McNeil shouts across the restaurant floor. “Table three is still waiting on their appetizers.”
Amber groans, slouching and dragging herself away from our table.
“Close one,” I tease, poking at Freddy’s side. “You almost got sucked in by the vampire.”
Freddy dismissively bats my hand away. “Lay off Amber.”
Drew slides his chair back and stands. “Well, this has been fun, but I’m out.”
“Where are you going?” Freddy asks.
Drew scans the room to avoid our parents. “Never you mind.”
Freddy cranes his neck, watching our older brother leave the restaurant. “He’s not gonna be happy until he causes real trouble.”
I brush it off. “I’m sure he’s heading home.”
“He doesn’t drive,” Freddy remarks.
“Correction,” I reply, “he doesn’t have a car.”
Freddy shakes his head, muttering, “I don’t want to know.” He then gets up and adds, “I’ll find Dad and make sure Drew’s not on his radar.”
“You’re not doing him any favors, you know,” I say as Freddy leaves the table.
“Does Freddy always do damage control for Drew?” Kai asks.
“It’s more like, he doesn’t want Dad to get upset.” I get up and move around the table to sit beside Kai. “Yes, part of it is, he doesn't want Drew to get in trouble. But, mostly, Freddy’s addicted to making sure Dad is happy. It’s twisted.”
Kai takes my hand and jokes, “I didn’t take him for a brown-noser.”
“Oh, it’s beyond that.” My shoulders lock as I shudder a sigh. “It doesn’t matter who it is. Freddy has to make sure everyone is happy. I know I shouldn’t have said anything about him and Carrie at that party, but I doubt I was far from the truth. If Carrie DiAngelo had wanted him to kiss her, he would’ve done it.”
“You think?” Kai questions. “He seemed offended at the idea of it.”
“I dunno. Maybe it was shame or something. Freddy has been with a lot of girls, but I doubt he’s liked even half of them.” I interlace my fingers with Kai’s, needing his connection. “It’s just like with Amber. She wants him, he tries to say no, and then she gives him sad eyes. That’s always his problem. He hates sadness. So if a girl wants to be with him, he’ll agree to a date, make out with her, and then move onto the next one.”
“That’s the opposite of healthy. Please tell me he’s in therapy.”
It makes me giggle. “I’ll make sure he gets the suggestion.”
“I’m surprised Drew hasn’t told him to cut out this behavior.”
