Page 5 of Ask No Questions

My jaw dropped. “Another one? Brandon, that’s amazing!”

He and a few of his friends developed an app while they were still seniors in college that they ended up selling for several million. Everyone said it was a fluke and they wouldn’t get that lucky again, but they proved them wrong because they chose to invest that money into starting their own business.

Diane cut in. “Don’t downplay your success, Brandon. You’ve worked hard for the past few years to get your company where it is.”

“Yeah, tell her about that other program,” Steve prodded.

I swear my brother blushed under their praise. I was glad they supported him, since Mom and Neil referred to his business as his little hobby.

“We’re working on a new web program for a company I can’t name specifically.” A smile slipped and I knew that meant it was something big.

“I had no idea things had grown so much for you!” The condo was impressive and should have been an indicator, but I was blown away at how truly successful he had become since graduating just two years before.

I felt like I missed out on being a part of his life. Mckayla was even asking him about the business like she was familiar with it. Why did she know things about my brother that I had never heard of? I needed to catch up. I should know these things.

I sat back, observing everyone and trying to remember details so I could be involved in the conversation next time we were over.

Later, as the sun was setting, Brandon stood up and signaled to me it was time to go. We said our goodbyes, but before I made it to the front door, Mckayla called out to me.

“Do you already have plans for tomorrow? We should go shopping before school, or maybe I can introduce you to some people?”

I appreciated the effort she was making to include me; hopefully, it wouldn’t take long for us to get back to being as close as we once were. “Brandon is taking me to pick out a car, and I think he has most of the day planned for us.” I checked with Brandon, who nodded. “We could get together Thursday to go shopping. I need some pointers of what to wear here since I was mocked for wearing boots and a sweater earlier.”

“Perfect!” She grinned. “Ava Howard is having a bonfire on Friday night as a summer sendoff. A lot of people from school will be there so you can meet them before classes start again on Tuesday.”

“That sounds great. Thanks, Mckayla. Call me on Thursday!” I made sure she had my number then waved before following Brandon to his car.

That went so much better than I’d anticipated. It was awkward at first, but they were all so welcoming. It would only be a matter of time before I felt truly comfortable. Mckayla was making an effort to include me, and this adjustment would be a lot easier if I had at least one friend to count on. I just hoped it was really that easy, but nothing ever was.

Three

I knew I was being followed. Darkness surrounded me, and I kept running in no certain direction. There was no one behind me whenever I stole a glance over my shoulder, but I knew someone was there. I could feel it. Something caught my foot. Stumbling, I fell to the ground in a heap. My heart pounded in my chest. This was it. The haunter of my dreams was finally going to reach me.

I shot up in my bed, confused at my surroundings. Shaking the memories from my head, I looked around the white room remembering where I was and then turned toward my window trying to guess what time it was. Noise was coming from the living room, so I slowly slid out of bed and grabbed my robe, throwing it on as I walked out of my room.

Brandon was sitting on the couch, with his laptop on the ottoman in front of him. Music was playing from the speakers scattered around the room, so he didn’t hear me walk in.

“Good morning.”

Brandon jumped a little and looked at me as if he forgot I now lived with him. “Oh! Morning, Bree. I’m checking when the dealership opens so we can pick out a car without wasting the whole day. Any idea what you want? Neil told me to just go to whomever I trusted and get what you like.”

I sat beside him and thought for a second, trying to picture myself in a car other than my beloved Jetta I left behind. “I think I want a convertible. Is that okay? I want to enjoy this weather as much as I can.”

“You can get whatever you want. This is as good of an apology you’ll ever get from Mom and Neil, so I say take advantage of it.”

Was that what this was? An apology? If so, it was the first I’d ever received from them. Since it usually required someone admitting they were wrong, and that would never, ever happen.

A mischievous grin started to grow on his face. “I think I have an idea of what you will like. I just have one question. Can you drive stick?”

He was enjoying this a little too much, but then again, how often could we take advantage of Mom’s money without consequence?

As we pulled into the dealership, I gawked at Brandon, waiting for him to say he was kidding. He had brought me to the BMW lot, as if he expected me to find something here Neil would approve of.

“You do remember that I had a Jetta back home, right? This is quite the upgrade. I don’t think Mom and Neil will be okay with this.” I didn’t want to get out in case I fell in love with one of the cars.

“He told me to go somewhere I trusted and let you pick what you like, right?” He chuckled at my disbelief. “Don’t worry. I mentioned this to him and he agreed to do whatever I thought was best and this is what I think is the best for my little sister. So, get out and start looking.”

Man, he could get bossy. I opened the door and stepped out as Brandon shook hands with a middle-aged man I assumed he had worked with before.