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I study my brother for a long moment. From his fresh shaved face, to his slicked back hair, to his gray shirt...Gray.
She said he was wearing a gray shirt.
My eyes dart back to Atlas who has a dark blue tee on with faded writing, then look back to my brother.
Suddenly, like a light bulb going off, I realize what’s happening here. Rita is the girl. The girl Brennon has been hanging out with but wasn’t ready to talk about. And Brennon, he’s the guy Rita has been going on and on about.
I would say, what a small world, but in this case it’s more than small, it’s telescopically tiny.
“You’re the guy.” I smile, relief flooding through me. I turn to Rita, finding her bewildered by the turn of events. “Brennon, he’s the guy you’ve been telling me about?”
“He’s your brother?” She laughs nervously, like what the hell are the odds.
“My twin brother, yes.” I nod up and down.
“And this is?” She points to Atlas, further confirming she has no idea who he is.
“Atlas.” He raises his chin.
“Rita.” She smiles, her gaze going back to Brennon whose focus is on me.
“Seriously though, Bar, what the fuck are you doing here?”
“Pretty sure that much is obvious.”
“You shouldn’t be here by yourself.”
“I’m not here by myself. I’m here with Rita.” I roll my eyes.Duh.
“You should have at least told someone where you would be. Fuck, Barlow.”
“Do me a favor and save the Dad routine for someone who actually gives a fuck,” I slur, over the third degree and ready for another drink. “Why don’t you stop worrying about me and offer to get Rita a drink.” I turn, looping my arm through Atlas’s without looking at him. “Atlas will keep me company.” I tug and to my surprise, Atlas moves, matching me stride for stride as I push my way through the crowded room toward the kitchen.
Once inside, I drop my hold on Atlas’s arm and make my way around the large island, trying to remember what goes into the drink Rita has been making me all night. Pretty certain it has tequila in it, I grab a plastic cup and snag the half empty bottle from the counter.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” The tequila bottle is abruptly ripped from my hand.
“Um, making a drink.” I feel like that should be obvious, as I reach for the bottle now in Atlas’s possession.
“Are you fucking kidding me? You never drink from an open bottle at these kinds of parties.”
“Well, I’ve been doing it all night and I’m still standing so...” I reach for the bottle again but he holds it out of my reach.
“Seriously, B. Don’t ever drink from a bottle you didn’t open. And never,ever, leave your drink unattended.”
“Oh god, and here I thought I left my dad in the other room.” I groan audibly.
“And here I thought you were smarter than this.”
“Fuck you.” I make another swipe at the bottle.
“Love to.”
I fake gag.
“You know, for someone who forced me into a truce last night you’re being awfully aggressive. Are we fighting again?” A smirk pulls up the corners of his mouth.
“We will be if you don’t let me make a drink.” I watch in complete horror as he turns and dumps the remaining tequila down the sink. “What the hell did you do that for?” I push him out of the way and look into the sink like somehow I’ll be able to magically make the liquid reappear.
