by Kelly Oram
She pulled her head back and looked at me for a moment with an expression in her eyes that I couldn’t decipher. It almost looked sad, but that didn’t make any sense. Before I could ask her what was wrong, she smiled brightly. “In that case…” She wrapped her arms around my neck, waggled her eyebrows playfully, and raised her voice to a level that would break through my brothers’ secret plotting. “So, boyfriend, how did you want to break the news to them?”
We both looked at Chris when he cleared his throat. “I think we get it,” he said dryly.
Tyler groaned. “Seriously, Runt? You can’t even be single long enough for us to have one night out?”
“Sorry, guys.” Laughing, I let go of Jordan and presented her to my brothers. “You haven’t been properly introduced to my new girlfriend yet. Jordan, these are my brothers, Dumb and Dumber. Chris, Tyler? This is my roommate and my new girlfriend, Jordan.”
Sighing, they took turns shaking her hand. Their wariness was comical.
“What are you guys doing here?”
They were both immediately distracted. “Dude,” Ty said. “Bret Peterson’s parents are leaving for Thanksgiving break so he’s throwing a huge bash and asked if we’d play. You gotta teach us that song you played at your audition so we can rock it at the party.”
Before I could say anything, Jordan jumped in. “Hey, this is perfect.” She grinned at my brothers, surprising them both with her friendliness and shocking them even further when she invited them to come with us to my rehearsal. “Nate’s got a couple new songs he’s been working on for his showcase piece. We’re just on our way to show the other guys what he’s got. Why don’t you come and see if any of it will work for your band?”
Chris’s jaw fell to the ground, and Tyler blinked as if he couldn’t even comprehend what she’d said. They both stood there gaping at her in shock as she grabbed her coat.
I grinned as I watched her slip on a white, blue, and gold LA Galaxy beanie. We’d had a nasty cold front hit this week, so even though it hadn’t snowed yet, she’d finally broken down and exchanged the hoodie and flip-flops for actual winter clothes. I liked it. The woman looked adorable in her matching soccer scarf, gloves, and hat.
She didn’t notice my brothers staring at her until she was ready to walk out the door, and she threw me a startled look. “What’s wrong?”
“They’re just surprised.” I laughed as I put on my own coat. “Sophie would never have asked them to hang out.”
“That’s an understatement,” Chris said.
Jordan grinned. “Well, Sophie was missing out.” She stepped between my two shocked brothers and hooked arms with them both. “Come on, boys. You can tell me all Nate’s most embarrassing stories on the way to the school.”
Chris and Tyler shot me identical evil grins over the top of Jordan’s head as she walked them out the door. I rolled my eyes. “Do your worst. I have a hundred stories about both of you for every one you have of me.”
My threat didn’t scare them in the least, and they immediately launched into a story. By the time we reached the school, all of us had Jordan laughing so hard her stomach hurt. “Your poor father!” she howled as we walked into the practice room. “How did he survive the three of you all on his own?”
“He just gave up trying to discipline us by the time we were sixteen,” Tyler said.
“And he went gray by the time he was thirty-five,” Chris added.
Jordan busted up laughing again.
After quick introductions, Jordan dragged my brothers over to a corner and let me do my thing. I didn’t notice we were down one member until I pulled out my laptop, ready to play what I’d put together for the group. “Where’s Blaze?”
Nobody knew. We gave him ten minutes, then started without him since we only had the room for two hours. Half an hour later, he finally graced us with his presence.
“Look who’s finally here, forty-five minutes late,” Jordan grumbled. “Must be a habit with you, huh?”
I hadn’t asked Jordan the details of her date with Blaze—she hadn’t seemed to want to talk about it—but I guess it was safe to assume it hadn’t started on time.
He noticed Jordan for the first time. His eyes narrowed at the sight of her sitting in between Chris and Tyler along the back wall of the room, and he gave her a hard smirk. “I show up on time when I have a good enough reason.”
I’m definitely a lover and not a fighter, but I’d never been angrier in all my life. And that was saying something, considering who my brothers were. My vision went red and I grabbed Blaze by the sleeve of his jacket, pulling him into comfortable punching distance before his words had even reached Jordan’s ears across the small room. “Don’t insult her again,” I warned.
Blaze’s head jerked back, and he blinked a couple times before forcing a fake laugh. “Relax. It was just a joke.”
“I didn’t find it funny.”
Blaze yanked himself out of my grasp and glared, but only said, “Sorry. Whatever. Let’s just get to work. Some of us have important places to be tonight.”
I wanted to hit the guy. But antagonizing him would only make things worse and we didn’t have a lot of time left to work today, so I bit back a snarky reply and played my songs for him.
When they were done, we all waited for his response. He scoffed. Everyone in the room jumped to my defense before he got a single word out.
“What’s your problem?” Austin, my piano guy, asked.
Blaze shook his head. “This is a waste of time. Neither of those songs is going to win that showcase, much less leave an impression on the managers and producers in the audience. They’re as mediocre as the song we played for the audition.”
“That’s not true,” Jordan said. “They’re good. You’re just a jerk that can’t stand it when someone’s more talented than you.”
“And you’re just a desperate tease.” His scowl flicked to my brothers. “You’re wasting your time with her. She may dress like a slut, but trust me, she won’t put out.”
Jordan gasped, though I’m not sure if it was from Blaze’s cruel words or because I flung my fist into his face so hard he flew backward and crashed into a couple of plastic chairs. There was a moment of stunned silence that was quickly shattered when both Blaze and I spat out curses. My hand throbbed like crazy, and I could only imagine his face felt worse.
“Atta boy, Runt!” Chris cheered, shocked.
Tyler was so surprised he couldn’t speak. I couldn’t blame them. I barely ever lost my temper. I’d never hit anyone in my life—well, I mean besides messing around with my brothers. But I’d never punched a guy for real before.
Blaze climbed to his feet, glaring at me as he spat blood on the ground. He was seething, but I guarantee I was angrier. I was ready to punch him all over again. “I told you not to insult her again. Get out of here. You’re done.”
Blaze laughed, incredulous. “I’m done? You’re kicking me out of your pathetic little school project?”
He snorted as if it were no big deal, but the showcase was huge and he knew it. He needed it as much as any of us did. “You can’t kick me out. You need me. No matter what crappy song you write, you need a bass player.”
Good thing I already had one. “Ty?”
“I thought you’d never ask, bro.”
Blaze finally cracked a worried frown when Tyler grinned and picked up my bass guitar. “He plays?”
Chris and I both smirked. “A lot better than you,” Chris said just as Tyler started wailing out that killer bass assault that opens the Red Hot Chili Pepper’s Californication album.
Ty was awesome enough that Blaze’s eyes went wide. Chris and I grinned at each other. We couldn’t help it. The Chili Peppers were one of our favorite bands to cover, and Blaze really needed to be put in his place. Triple Threat was so much better than that lame band I’d seen him play with in that crappy dive. I picked up my guitar and Chris asked Mark for his drumsticks. We were both ready when Ty’s solo melded into the
song “All Around the World.”
When we were done, Jordan cheered like a natural-born groupie. Blaze, knowing he was beaten, said “Whatever” and stomped out. I mentally echoed his whatever. He wouldn’t be missed.
“You’re hired,” Austin said to Tyler.
Mark quickly stepped up to Chris. Chris tried to hand the drumsticks back, but Mark wouldn’t take them. “I think you should be hired, too. You’re way better than me.”
Chris shook his head, though he desperately wanted to accept. “Nah, it’s okay. I’m not a music major or anything. I know this is important for you guys.”
“No, really,” Mark said. “I’m a tympani drummer. To be honest, playing the drums for Nate in the showcase isn’t going to help me at all. The classical majors have our own performances where orchestra scouts come to watch us. This is Nate’s project. It’s his showcase. I was happy to help, but he deserves the best backing him up, and you’re it by far.”
His speech was enough to convince Chris to take the drumsticks. “Awesome. Thanks, man.” As an afterthought, he looked to me for permission. “Is that cool?”
It was more than cool. I was excited that my brothers would both be playing with me in the showcase. We’d been doing it for so long we were a well-oiled machine, a team that could work together blindfolded and gagged. I’d be more confident with them backing me up.
I felt a little bad about Mark quitting, but he was right. He really wouldn’t benefit from being in my showcase, and it was really only my reputation on the line if we sucked. “Yeah, it’s cool.” I held my hand out to Mark. “If you’re sure. You don’t have to quit.”
“I’m sure. And don’t listen to Blaze. Your songs are awesome. You’ll do great.”
“Thanks. And speaking of not listening to Blaze…” I pulled Jordan away from the group and wrapped her in a hug. “You okay?”
She soaked up the embrace for a moment before grinning up at me. “You punched him.”
I shrugged, playing it cool, but on the inside I felt pretty good about myself. “I had to. He dissed my girl.”
“Wow. Taking this fake boyfriend thing pretty seriously, aren’t you?”
I couldn’t laugh with her because my chest tightened up suddenly. “You’re more than just my fake girlfriend, Jordan. You’re my roommate. And my friend. My best friend, actually. I can’t let anyone talk to you like that.”
Jordan’s smile went from sarcastic to soft, and she hugged me again, tucking her head under my chin. “You’re my best friend, too.”
My chest burned again. I squeezed her even tighter, and laughed. “Colin would be heartbroken if he heard you say that.”
“So we won’t tell him,” she said. “Our secret.”
“Hey, lovebirds,” Chris shouted. “Break it up. We’ve got work to do.”
Jordan pulled away from me, blushing fiercely. Her rosy cheeks surprised me almost as much as the fact that it was insanely hard for me to let her go. I liked everyone thinking we were a couple. Maybe Jordan was right. Maybe I was taking this fake boyfriend thing too seriously. Then again, maybe Pearl was right. Maybe whatever was happening between Jordan and me wasn’t fake at all, and we were the only two clueless enough not to see it.
The weeks flew by and suddenly it was Thanksgiving. It couldn’t have come at a better time. I really needed a break. When I finished up my last class, I stepped into the café to say good-bye to Jordan and Colin before going home for the long weekend. They were both scheduled to work extra hours over the holiday to make up for the employees who’d asked for the time off.
They were laughing together when I came inside, and both greeted me with big smiles. Jordan had expected me and was ready with a pumpkin spice latte. “He’s finished!” she cheered, holding out the drink. “Happy Thanksgiving!”
Not one to ever turn down caffeine, I accepted the latte and the kiss to my cheek that came with it. Colin was quick to follow Jordan’s example. Strangely enough, I’d gotten used to being greeted by Colin with a kiss to my cheek, and was more startled by the surprise hug I received from Pearl next. The sneaky little woman had come out of nowhere. “Nathan! So good to see you again.”
“Hi, Pearl. Happy Thanksgiving.”
“And to you. Are you going home for the holiday?”
I sighed. “Yeah. I’m meeting my brothers at the train station in about an hour.”
Pearl frowned. “You’re not excited to go home?”
I shrugged. “It’ll be nice to see my dad, but my extended family is crazy. Between them and my brothers, I’m not sure I’ll survive four whole days.”
“Aw,” Jordan teased. “You’re so Home for the Holidays right now.” I didn’t have to ask. “1995. Jodie Foster directed. It’s a movie about how going home for Thanksgiving is a nightmare full of crazy people called family. Lots of drama and fighting, but deep down they’re family and they all still love each other. Mostly.”
I laughed. “Yeah. That pretty much sums it up. The last couple years I had Sophie to scare everyone away, but this year I’m on my own.”
Pearl’s frown deepened. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Colin gesturing wildly to Pearl not to ask the obvious question. Either she didn’t understand his signal, or, more likely, she didn’t care. “Nathan, did something happen between you and Sophie?”
Her voice was full of concern, but she couldn’t mask the excitement in her eyes. “We broke up,” I said flatly.
The corners of her mouth twitched as she fought a smile. “I’m so sorry to hear that.”
Jordan, Colin, and I all laughed. “Sure you are,” Jordan said.
Colin shook his head. “You are one sick and twisted old bat, Pearl.”
She shot Colin a twinkling smile. “Old, yes. But there is nothing wrong with feeling glad that Nathan is now free of his commitment to Sophie. I want him to be happy, and she was not making him happy.”
She winked at me and then eyed Jordan. Jordan groaned. “Don’t even think about it, Pearl.”
Pearl’s attempt to act offended was a lousy one. “Think about what? I wasn’t thinking about anything. I was simply going suggest you go home with Nathan for the holiday, since he won’t be taking Sophie. It sounds like he needs someone there to help him keep his sanity.”
My heart jumped at the suggestion, and Jordan gasped. “Pearl!” she cried. “You can’t just invite people home for the holidays to other people’s houses. It’s rude and intrusive and—”
“And brilliant,” I blurted. Jordan blinked at me, stunned. I grinned at her. From the second Pearl mentioned it, I realized it was the best idea anyone had ever had. “She’s right. You should come with me.”
Jordan’s shock turned into wariness. “Are you serious?”
I was more than serious. I could barely contain my excitement at the thought of bringing her home with me. “Are you kidding? I’m desperate. You have to come. I need you. Someone has to save me from Crazy Aunt Carol and my brothers.”
“I…” Her cheeks turned pink and she shook her head. “I wish I could, but I have to work this weekend.”
“Tell your boss you can’t,” Pearl said.
Colin snorted. “Yeah, that wouldn’t go over very well.”
Jordan sighed. “My boss begged me to take the extra shifts because too many people asked for the weekend off and he knew I wasn’t going home. He was pretty desperate. If I don’t work after I said I would and told him it was okay to give the others the vacation days, I’ll get fired.”
Pearl shrugged. “So get fired. You heard Nathan. He needs you. And you need him. More than you need this job, I’d wager.”
Colin snickered, and my face heated up.
Mortified, Jordan turned a deep shade of red and nearly growled at Pearl. “Drop it, Pearl. I said I can’t.”
“I can’t either. Thanks for asking,” Colin chirped, trying to break the awkward tension.
Not even three seconds later, a woman hurried into the shop and rushed to the counter, looking exha
usted. “Jordan!” She breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m so glad it’s you. Are you working all weekend?”
Startled by the coincidence, Jordan glanced my way and then looked warily at her friend. “Yeah.”
“Is there any chance I could take a couple—or like, all of your shifts?”
Colin gasped, Jordan’s face paled, and my heart stopped. There were coincidences and then there were freaky no-way-this-is-really-happening-right-now coincidences. “What?” we all asked together.
The woman cringed. “Sorry. I hate to ask, but I know you don’t really need the money, and I’m desperate. Darren busted his foot today, and now he can’t work for the next few weeks. Without his hours we won’t be able to make rent on the first unless I get some serious overtime. Please?”
Jordan melted with sympathy. “Oh, Jenny, I’m so sorry about Darren! Of course you can have my shifts. You can have the whole weekend and whatever you need after that.”
The woman’s eyes filled with tears, and she gave Jordan a quick hug. “Thanks. Can I start now?”
“Sure. Just clear it with Rick. I’m sure he won’t care. He’s in the back.”
“You’re a lifesaver, Jordan. I owe you.”
The woman rushed to the back office, leaving us all in stunned silence. Pearl broke it by clearing her throat. When we all looked her way, she gave us a serene smile. “Well, Jordan, it seems you have the weekend off, after all.”
Jordan floundered for words, but then her eyes narrowed at Pearl. “How did you do that?”
“I beg your pardon?”
Maybe it was just me, but Pearl sounded as if she was trying not to laugh.
“No way, old woman,” Jordan continued. “I’m not buying your innocence. That was way too convenient.”
I’m glad I wasn’t the only one thinking that. It was insane to think Pearl had had anything to do with what happened, but I couldn’t help drawing the same conclusion. It was just too odd. Strange, the way Pearl herself was strange.