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“We’ll see,” he responded, and murmured as he opened the dishwasher, “In another lifetime I would have tapped that.”
Perplexed, I debated taking the compliment, but ended up brushing it off as an argument between siblings. “I’m going to find some bleach and make you sniff it.”
“Gross,” Rio pouted.
I punched his shoulder. “So are your thoughts.”
“True,” he laughed, and settled back at the breakfast table.
Being only seven thirty in the morning, I had time to make conversation with Rio having a nine-to-five job. He could rant about drawing filthy cartoons for a man’s magazine and taking care of their social media with a fierce passion. Besides that, he also spilled about various ideas for his own website. Mostly dirty, kinky stuff. Although it was a typically male thing to do—drawing tits and penises on a piece of paper—Rio was talented and pee-in-your-pants funny.
“I could include you but I can’t quite do you justice yet, only having seen you with these clothes on and all.” He pinched one eye closed and zoned in on my breasts.
He ducked right before I could smack him in the head. “Dude!”
“Just kidding, just kidding.” He laughed, holding his hands up in surrender. “What about your job? You find anything yet?”
“Nothing. I’m not sure ifit’s in the cards for me. The week hasn’t ended as badly as it started, but… I don’t know.” I sighed deeply, planting my elbow on the table so I could support my head with my hand. After a week of emails with negative responses, I already felt demotivated.
“Did something happen?” Rio looked concerned when I lifted my eyes to him.
I sucked in the pout on my lips. “Nothing worth mentioning.”
“Doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. Come on.” He pulled me against his side. “Tell your sweetest stepbrother what’s bothering you.”
“Fine,” I conceded, and gently pushed him away. “Dancing is very physical. It’s engaging in a way that sometimes it’s hard to understand whether it’s more than just a working relationship. Most of the times, I feel very…misunderstood.”
“How so?” he asked. I studied Rio’s intentions. He seemed genuine as the lines between his pinched brows deepened with concern.
“Well, my last boss, Marc, who was also my partner at dance competitions and such, was…astute, to say the least.”
Rio twirled his hand, wordlessly asking me to explain.
“He arranged his hours so they overlapped mine and then he suggested carpooling. I kept him at arm’s length, but eventually he scheduled my classes last so he and I could practice afterwards.” I air-quoted the word. “The interviewer on Monday just kind of reminded me of him.”
“He didn’t touch you, did he?” Rio surprised me, making me all kinds of sentimental because it looked like he genuinely cared.
“No. Not in a way to accuse him of sexual assault. He just had a creepy look in his eyes,” I assured him.
Strangely, it wasn’t only the guys I needed to keep an eye on. The girl who pushed me down a flight of stairs was equally to blame for my quick exit.
“Good,” Rio responded as he took my cup to brew me fresh coffee. “If it is, call me.” He picked up my phone after placing the warm drink in front of me. “Here’s my number. And, whether you want it or not, I’m also putting Ares’ in it.”
A small sentimental knot formed in my throat. Friendships hadn’t been a fixed value in my life. And although the move had a rough start, these new people in my life made me feel like I belonged here.
Except Ares. But while he was intimidating, I knew there were layers to crack, even if he didn’t want to admit it. Rio looked exactly like him, and look at us! With his lean frame and soft side, he didn’t crush me, not like those girls did.
I learned to pick my battles. I didn’t want to make one out of my dislike of Ares when I knew there was more to him than his pestering ways to keep me out of his life.
“Thanks.” I softly smiled at him. “I’ll take back the bleaching comment.”
He laughed and appreciatively pinched my shoulders. “It’s way more useful for my sheets anyway.”
“Fine, fine!” I put my hands over my ears and pretended to be disgusted once more. “I get it! You’re messy.”
“A messy stud, sis. A messy super stud that—”
“Get away from me!” I pushed him playfully, almost toppling him over.
