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“Every time one would go belly-up, your mom would sneak an identical goldfish into the tank.”
Reese makes a strangled sound. “Oh god! Poor George.”
I ask, “Which one?”
Reese covers his face with his hands.
Theo gives me the look that means she thinks I’m being too mean to my brother. She doesn’t know how much he needs it—everybody else lets him get away with murder.
Goldfish murder especially. Six times, Mom?
“Better stay away from Bernie,” I warn Reese. “There’s only one of him.”
“But I want to hold him,” Reese says wistfully. “Look how fluffy he is…”
Dad makes a shelter of his arms as Reese reaches for the dog. “He likes it right here.”
Bernie Sanders has already curled himself into a ball, big brown eyes blinking sleepily.
My dad strokes his head, slow like a hypnotist. In minutes, the puppy is snoring. Dad keeps petting him anyway.
Theo’s trying not to smile too much, which makes her dimples pop. She’s pleased and proud of herself, and she should be. My dad’s gazing down at the dog with the kind of look I never thought I’d see again on his face. Poor fool’s already falling in love.
“How was the meeting?” I ask him.
“Good,” he says. “I’m going back tomorrow.”
My twin, incapable of finding anything dull, says, “Me too! The stories these guys have to tell—I’m getting so much inspiration for my screenplay.”
I nod along with him. “I’m glad their pain can become fodder for your work.”
Theo gives a soft snort, but Reese is oblivious. “I know! And I can drive Dad—two birds with one stone.”
“I didn’t quit drinking just to die in a fiery wreck,” Dad says. “I’ll drive myself.”
“Got a little out of practice, all those months in the jungle.” Reese has the grace to look sheepish. “Sort of forgot about turn signals.”
“And braking,” Dad says.
“If we’d get a Tesla already, I wouldn’t have to do any of that. That’s the first thing I’m buying when the show gets picked up for a second season.”
“Good idea.” I slap his back. “Make sure you spend your whole, entire paycheck and don’t put any in savings.”
“Is that sarcasm I hear, beloved brother?”
“It’s resignation.”
“We’ll see who makes it to twenty million first. Then I’ll be payingyourbills.”
“Can’t wait. You still owe me fifty bucks from the last time you wanted to take out some Tinder date.”Not to mention five figures of other assorted loans.
Reese only grins. “Put it on my tab. By this time next year?—”
“Yeah, yeah, I know, you’ll be sipping Mai Tais on Leo’s yacht.”
“Wearing matching swim trunks.” Reese smiles blissfully.
“I met Leo,” Dad remarks. “At a party in San Trope. He kept staring at Stella’s tits.”
