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Matt is the marketing whiz of our group, closest to me in age, older brother to Caleb and Cade. After our parents divorced, Matt stayed in the Midwest with Mom and Caleb while Dad moved Cade and I to San Francisco. But the distance was nothing. The four of us were close and worked as a team now, guiding Manning through the choppy waters of the pharma industry.
“Brother,” repeated Matt. “A bitch is a bitch is a bitch,” he concluded, downing a shot of whisky in a gulp. “Better to lose your money to the markets than to some fucking ho,” he drawled. Growing up in Wyoming, Matt has a country accent and farm boy persona, but buyer beware – Matt’s sharp as a whip, graduating summa from the University of Wyoming and getting a Ph.D. shortly thereafter. Manning product is popular in the drug industry in part due to his efforts pushing our brand and the money lining my pocket proved it.
“Fuck I know,” I growled, “but the thing is I don’t have a reason to break it off, you know, something concrete.”
“You ain’t gotta have no reason,” drawled Matt. “The bitch ain’t kosher, you don’t buy,” he said with finality. I guess he was right and I needed the kick in the ass. Fuck me. Fuck my life.
“I’m gonna find a way out of this, this is so fucking unbelievable and has gone far beyond what I ever imagined. Fuck me,” I repeated again.
“You do you, brother,” said Matt, downing another shot. “I’ll see you at the family dinner tonight, yeah?” he said. “Dad says he’s bringing his new fiancée, and you’re bringing yours right? Or should I say … your soon to be ex?” he queried, an eyebrow raised.
“Yeah, whatever,” I muttered. “The fucking doll needs to be kicked to the curb, I’m just gonna do it after this dinner is over. I mean, why the fuck should I throw a shadow on Dad’s announcement? He’s been single for so long, it’s a miracle he finally found someone to put up with his ornery ass,” I said.
“Whatevs,” shrugged Matt. “Do it on your own time but that blonde has a way of testing your limits like I’ve never seen,” he said, shaking his head. “I mean, you were the one who was never going to get married, and now some chick’s got your ring on her finger? Damn man, and it’s not even someone you like.”
I didn’t bother to reply, pushing back roughly from the bar.
“Listen, I’ll see you there tonight,” I grunted. “Don’t be late.”
And now here I was, dressed in a suit with Jenna on my arm, looking around for my family. It should be a substantial party. Supposedly Dad was going to introduce us four boys to his fiancée, and then meet her four daughters at a separate dinner. Only at a later date would the two families combine. What a happy Brady Bunch ending, my ass.
“Sir, please follow me,” said the hostess, beckoning us in her wake. Jenna strode forward only to stop short when she reached the designated table. I, too, froze when I saw who was there, turned to stone by the turn of events.
“Mom?” said Jenna. “Tina?”
5
Tina
I must have looked like a startled rabbit. I couldn’t speak for a moment, my throat going dry, my vision oddly hazy. My twin had been oddly evasive lately, barely spending time at home, dodging my questions and looking shifty whenever I asked what was going on.
“Look Tina, butt out okay?” she sniffed haughtily. “I’m doing fine in class and you’re just jealous I have a boyfriend whereas you’re still … you,” she said, shrugging. “Can’t you do something with your hair? It’s such … I dunno, curls are out, can’t you get a blow out or something?”
I brushed my hair back self-consciously but it was no use. The curls sprang back into place like springs, a halo around my face. But I was sick of my sister’s nasty attitude and revealed some claws of my own.
“You tell me what’s going on or find another driver,” I hissed. “I’m through chauffeuring you around.”
That sparked some fear in Jenna’s heart given that Ubers don’t exactly come on campus.
“Oh Tina, you know, I have a boyfriend up in the city now. In fact,” she confided, her voice hushed, “he proposed two days ago. He gave me a massive diamond ring but I can’t wear it around campus because other girls would be jealous.”
I immediately sniffed something amiss. Jenna would never hold back on bling, especially if it’d make her the envy of other women. Either the diamond was flawed or she was making this all up.
“Fine, do whatever you want,” I said stiffly. “But don’t come to me if you need my notes before exams.”
“Oh Tina,” Jenna wheedled, cocking her head sassily. “It’s just Contracts this time,” she said. “I only missed two classes and I need your help.”
