#Poser

by Cambria Hebert

  “Did you really think when I got home to find you gone—moved in with some douche canoe none of us have ever met—I’d not come?”

  I pulled out of his firm embrace and looked up to roll my eyes, making sure he saw the expression.

  “Don’t give me that shit, Ives,” he growled. “You might have Mom and Dad wrapped, but you sure as hell don’t me.”

  I was used to his bossy pants attitude. He’d acted like he was my ruler almost from the day I was born, so his hard tone didn’t offend me at all. In fact, I barely noticed it.

  But someone else did.

  “Who the hell are you?” Braeden demanded from behind.

  I felt my eyes widen, but before I could say anything, Drew did.

  “Who the hell is asking?”

  I groaned. Oh Lord. Here comes a pissing contest.

  Braeden moved with the graceful speed he always did when he thought something needed his immediate attention. Clearly, he thought this wasn’t a good situation because he slid in front of me like some kind of shield.

  “I don’t owe you an explanation,” B spat. “You’re on my property, ringing my doorbell, and talking to my girl like you wanna get a mouthful of my five fingers in the form of a fist.” As if to punctuate his words, he flexed his hand.

  Well. That escalated quickly.

  “Braeden!” I admonished, stepping around him. But being the complete doody head he was, he held out his arm like he was my personal seatbelt keeping me from slamming into a windshield.

  Drew was not a windshield.

  He was my brother.

  I grasped the granite-like side of his waist, as if I could restrain him. “You’re misreading the situation.”

  Drew glanced at me, his brow arching way up so I could see it behind his glasses, and aimed his words at me. “This him?” He hooked a thumb toward B. “Seriously? I thought I taught you better taste.”

  Braeden tensed and stepped forward. I ducked under his arm and rushed between the guys, feeling like I was the mayo in a macho sandwich.

  “Stop!” I pushed on B’s chest, and he glanced down at me. Then I turned back to Drew. “Like you’re any better,” I spat.

  Over my head, the two men glared at each other. I noted Rimmel hovering in the doorway, holding a wiggling Prada. I sighed.

  “Braeden, this is my brother Drew. Drew, this is my boyfriend Braeden.”

  “Your brother,” Braeden said coolly, looking over Drew again, this time with a little more interest.

  “Yes. My older brother. I told you about him.” I removed my hand from his chest. Now that he knew who he was, surely he would stand down.

  “Funny, I haven’t heard shit about you,” Drew said, staring directly at Braeden.

  I groaned and spun toward him. “Oh my God, Drew! Shut it!”

  I turned back to Braeden, and he was looking at me, searching my face like my idiot brother’s comment somehow hurt his feelings.

  A lump formed in my throat.

  “He’s just being an ass,” I said loudly. Then I quieted my voice. “Of course my family knows all about you. I have nothing but good things to say about you.”

  I pressed my hand into his bare chest. Braeden brushed the pad of his thumb across my lower lip, and the corner of his mouth slid up. “I know, babe.” His lips brushed over my hairline, and the worry I felt eased. “Takes more than that to ruffle these guns,” he said, flexing his bicep between us.

  I laughed.

  Behind us, Drew made a cackling sound, and I tensed, about to yell at him again.

  “And who is this?” He turned his attention away from us, and I looked as he started toward Rimmel.

  Rimmel stepped out of the doorway and came forward, smiling. “I’m Rimmel.”

  “Ahh, the roommate.” Drew gave her a charming smile. “I hear you like animals. A lot of ladies think I am one.”

  Rimmel snorted.

  Braeden practically snarled. “She’s off-limits to you.”

  “Just me? Or everyone but the quarterback?” Drew said, winking at Rimmel.

  Braeden’s jaw flexed, and I squeezed his hand, silently asking him to calm down. Good Lord, why did guys have to be so territorial?

  “I’m pretty sure you know the answer to that,” Rimmel said, and Prada barked at him.

  “Prada,” Drew said and ruffled the dog’s ears. “The little troublemaker.” He glanced over his shoulder with a rueful smile. “Mom still misses this dog.”

  I still couldn’t believe he was here. I hadn’t seen my oldest brother since last Thanksgiving. He wasn’t in town when I went home at the beginning of summer. It was true. Drew was a pain in the ass, but I loved him.

  He swaggered over to my side and threw an arm around my shoulder. “What’s a guy gotta do to get some coffee around here?”

  “We just made some.” Rimmel motioned and was the first back inside. She set Prada down, and she pranced around everyone’s feet before racing back to the kitchen where her food was.

  Braeden gave me one last glance, then went in ahead of us.

  Drew and I started for the door, when he pulled back and looked down. “How ya doing, kid?”

  “I’m good,” I said generically.

  “He’s a real hothead, huh?” He motioned with his chin toward the direction Braeden went.

  “Only when he thinks the people he loves are being threatened,” I replied. Then I poked him in the stomach. “Or when people like you goad him.”

  He held up a hand in surrender. “I’m on my best behavior.” He made an X over his heart.

  That meant he most definitely wasn’t.

  “Drew,” I sighed.

  He chuckled and tugged the ends of my hair. “C’mon, Ives, I need some coffee, and I wanna see your place. Gotta report back to Mom, you know.”

  “I sent Mom pictures,” I pointed out. “And FaceTimed her.”

  “Can’t a guy just make sure his baby sis isn’t living in the ghetto?”

  I laughed. “This look like the ghetto to you?”

  He glanced around the front yard and at the house. “It’s pretty nice digs,” he allowed and spurred us toward the door as he slid the aviators up on his head. “Now. About that boyfriend…”

  I made a choking sound and halted my steps. I was dead serious when I looked into my brother’s eyes. “Be nice to him, Drew. I’m not in high school anymore. I love Braeden. Like seriously. I want you two to get along.”

  “Like seriously?” he mocked. I swear he did the perfect imitation of a Valley girl.

  I stomped on his foot, and he howled.

  Prada came racing into the entryway and tried to attack the sandal on his foot.

  “I’ll be nice.” He held up his hands. “Geez, I’m starting to feel bad for the guy. Living with you, this vicious beast, and his sister? Poor guy probably needs a couple beers.”

  Hah! No one said anything about Braeden thinking of Rim as his sister. He totally proved I did talk about Braeden to my family and he was only saying different to be a jerk.

  When I crossed my arms over my chest to glare at him, he smiled slyly. “Damn, it’s good to see ya, Ives.” He pulled me back in for another one of his famous bear hugs.

  I closed my eyes and relaxed against him. This had been the longest I’d ever gone without seeing him. I hadn’t realized until he was standing outside just how much I missed him. Most girls were Daddy’s girls.

  But not me.

  I was always Drew’s girl.

  My brother was one of the most important people in my life. Braeden was also at the very top of that list.

  I just hoped my two favorite guys would get along.

  Chapter Eight

  Braeden

  I didn’t need to be an art major to see this guy was a piece of work.

  When I first walked around the corner and heard some guy talking to Ivy like she needed a good scolding, I almost went out swinging.

  It’s probably a good thing I didn’t. Wouldn’t want to send the
guy home packing a bloody lip. That wouldn’t buy me any points with Ivy’s parents.

  I shook my head as I poured some coffee down my throat. I’d never been the type of guy to worry about what a girl’s parents would think. But Ivy changed all that. She changed so much in my world it was a wonder I didn’t have whiplash.

  “You know he was coming?” I said low to Rim.

  She smiled and shook her head. “He seems nice, though.”

  I made a rude sound. “Did we just meet the same guy?”

  She giggled.

  My phone beeped and I held it up to glance at the text message. It was from Romeo. He got the pic I’d sent him of Rimmel. I love that face. Coming home next weekend.

  Good. Might need backup.

  Romeo replied quick. What’s up?

  Ivy’s bro was on the doorstep this AM.

  Douchebag?

  I snickered to myself. Sometimes Rome just got things. Possibly.

  Be strong like bull.

  I laughed out loud as Ivy and Drew came into the room. Will do. I shot the text back and then slid the phone into my pocket.

  “What’s so funny?” Ivy asked.

  “Just Rome being Rome,” I said.

  She went about pouring two cups of coffee while Drew made himself at home with the donut box.

  “How long you staying?” I asked him.

  “Braeden!” Ivy and Rimmel scolded at once.

  “What?” I shrugged. “It’s a legit question.”

  Drew polished off his donut. “Not sure yet. I’m in no hurry to leave. Haven’t seen my sister in a long time.”

  “Where are you staying?” Ivy asked.

  Drew shrugged and took the coffee she offered him. “Don’t know yet. Didn’t think about it. Just got home and Mom said you’d shacked up with your friends and boyfriend.”

  “I’m not shacking up,” Ivy retorted.

  “Well, how was I supposed to know that? Mom and Dad haven’t even met him yet. I can’t believe they just let you move in with him.”

  This guy was a real piece of work. I straightened off the counter, but Ivy didn’t seem to need help telling big bro how it was.

  “I’m an adult, Drew. I don’t need their permission. But even so, they gave it. No one has a problem with my living arrangements but you.”

  “I didn’t say I had a problem,” he rebutted. “I just wanted to see for myself how you were.”

  “You can stay here,” Rimmel offered from her seat at the island.

  I gave her a WTF look.

  “Are you sure Romeo won’t mind?” Ivy asked.

  “Nah. He won’t care,” Rimmel replied.

  “I do,” I chimed in.

  Everyone ignored me.

  “Awesome. Thanks, ladies.” Drew picked up another donut and took a bite. “Nice place,” he said, glancing around while chewing.

  I grabbed my mug and started toward the opposite end of the island from him.

  Ivy stepped into my path. I tried to give her an irritated look, but I didn’t quite succeed. Her chin was tipped back, her face still free of makeup, and her hair hung like a waterfall following the curve of her back.

  Thank you, she mouthed.

  I reached around her back and let my fingers play in the loose ends of her hair. Her body swayed toward mine just slightly. I lowered my mouth, ignoring everyone else in the room, and kissed her softly.

  It wasn’t a terribly long kiss, but it was satisfying.

  I hope it also showed Brother Dearest I wasn’t going anywhere.

  When I pulled back, I took her hand and led her around to where I was sitting and pulled her into my lap. She cradled her coffee with both hands and turned toward her brother.

  Rimmel got up and set her cup in the sink. “I wish I could stay, but I have to be at the shelter in an hour.”

  “Girl,” Ivy said, “it’s gonna take me that long just to fix your hair.”

  Rimmel glared at me, and I grinned.

  “I’m going to wash it. Maybe you can just braid it for me before I go?”

  “Sure! I’ll be up in a bit. I have to shower too.”

  When Rimmel was gone, Ivy turned back to Drew. “So what have you been up to? How was the internship?”

  Drew sat back in the stool and sighed. “It went well. Dad’s thrilled.”

  I studied him as he told Ivy about the internship he had over the summer at some big software company. Ivy’s dad was some big computer programmer or something, and he was hoping at least one of his sons would follow in his footsteps. Apparently, that son was going to be Drew.

  I guess he and Ivy looked somewhat alike. He had blue eyes like her (but hers were better), his hair was a darker shade of blond and cut short, almost like it had been buzzed off but was slowly growing back.

  He was a big guy, not quite as big as me, but if he wanted to, he could bulk up. He was probably just under six feet and gave off the impression of a carefree surfer dude. But I knew better. This guy was not a pushover.

  Part of me was glad for it; the other part of me didn’t like it.

  After he talked a little about his internship and how their dad was pushing him to apply at the same company he worked at, I interrupted. “So you saying you don’t want to work in computers?”

  Drew shrugged. “I like technology. I’m good at it. But sitting behind a desk all day doesn’t seem all that appealing. I have a feeling you know what that’s like.”

  “What makes you say that?” I asked.

  “Aren’t you a football player?”

  “Thought you hadn’t heard shit about me.”

  Ivy laughed.

  Drew grinned. “Touché.”

  I grunted. “I play ball. You play?”

  Drew shook his head. “Not my thing.”

  “What is your thing?”

  Ivy seemed excited to tell me. She sat up and looked over her shoulder. “Drew likes cars!”

  Interesting.

  He seemed to pick up on Ivy’s excitement. “You like cars?”

  I shrugged one shoulder. “It’s a hobby.”

  “Braeden does all the work on my car when it needs it.”

  That earned me a look of interest. “Does he?”

  “I’m not having my girl driving around in a car that ain’t safe.”

  Drew nodded thoughtfully, and something seemed to shift in the air. I’d just earned my first piece of respect from him.

  Not that I cared.

  “Drew fixes up cars too,” Ivy said. “Did you see his car in the driveway? It’s beautiful.”

  “Muscle cars are not beautiful, Ives,” he said, exasperated.

  I shook my head. I hadn’t seen it. I was too busy watching him. “What kind of car is it?”

  “Vintage Mustang. I restored it.”

  “It took him almost the whole four years of college,” Ivy added.

  “Sweet. I’d like to see it.” Well, if the guy could restore a Mustang and keep its integrity, then he might not be so bad after all.

  “That your truck in the driveway?”

  “Yep.”

  Drew nodded.

  Ivy sighed loudly. “You guys are like a pair of cavemen standing around beating your chests.”

  I set aside my coffee and wrapped both arms around her so her back was firmly against my front. “You love it,” I whispered in her ear.

  Her hand covered both of mine and she giggled. “No, but I do love you.”

  I kissed the side of her neck and enjoyed the slight way she shivered.

  “So what do you guys have planned today?” Drew asked.

  “I don’t think anything. It’s our last free day ‘til classes start.”

  “Sweet,” Drew said around a yawn.

  “Did you drive straight through to get here?” Ivy asked.

  He nodded. “Yeah, I might crash for a bit.”

  That was a long-ass drive to make alone, from North Carolina all the way to Maryland.

  “I’ll get the extra room ready for
you.”

  “I get a room?”

  “Of course!” she said.

  From upstairs, Rimmel called down to Ivy. She jumped up from my lap. “I gotta go help her with her hair. Be right back.” She leaned around and pressed a quick kiss to my mouth and whispered, “Be nice,” before rushing out of the room, Prada chasing along after her.

  “You drove a long way just to check me out,” I said, blunt.

  “Judging from the way your hackles rose when I was flirting with Rimmel, I think you’d do the same for her.”

  “Flirt with her again and I’ll kick your ass.” I meant it.

  “Don’t think I won’t do the same for my sister.”

  I sorely wanted to point out I’d done way more with Ivy than flirt. But I wasn’t about to kiss and tell; there was no way in hell I would disrespect Ivy like that. “You don’t need to worry about Ivy. I’ll make sure she’s taken care of.”

  Drew studied me like he had something to say. So I called him out. “Just say it.”

  “Something’s off with my sister. She might not say it, but I know. She fed our parents some lame excuse about being all stressed about finals last semester, but I don’t buy it. Ivy doesn’t stress about tests. And then I got home to find her moved out and in with you.”

  “You haven’t seen her in a while. Maybe you’re reading her wrong.” He wasn’t reading her wrong.

  “Maybe you’re lying to my face.” Drew challenged.

  “End of last semester was hard on her. Someone started some rumors. Made it tough,” I said, keeping my words close.

  “Thought this was college,” Drew muttered.

  “Have you met women?” I cracked. “They’re vicious.”

  “Word.” Drew agreed. Then he glanced at me. “Look, I know Ivy’s outgoing and quick to throw out a sarcastic line, but that’s all on the surface. She was sheltered growing up. She’s the only girl out of three kids. We watched out for her. We protected her. She didn’t have a lot of freedom in North Carolina because one of us was always there, watching…”

  I swallowed thickly. I knew she posed as the party girl. She acted the way she thought she should to fit in here. I knew she had a big family. I knew her parents were strict. But damn if hearing all this from her brother didn’t make everything she’d been through worse.

  It also explained a lot of how this could happen. How it could happen to a lot of girls. They just didn’t think about it. Or they didn’t understand people could be so calculating and cold. They hadn’t been taken advantage of before, so they had no idea what the signs were when it was happening…