“When is she coming, then?”
“My next day off isn’t until next Wednesday, so she’s going to drive up Tuesday night and spend the night.”
I contemplate giving him a heads-up, but I’m not really in the position to be delivering bad news. “Well, hopefully, you guys can work it out.” The words come out sincere, but not at all believable.
“It’s just driving me insane. Is it that bad she can’t just tell me over the phone and put me out of my misery? I’ve even contemplated taking a sick day and driving up there myself, but she’s in the middle of studying for her upcoming finals, so I just have to fucking sit and wait.”
Viola walks in before I can respond. “Maybe Gryff can cheer you up.” She holds the puppy up with a wide smile.
“Doubtful.”
“Geez. Now who’s the one manstrating?” She cradles Gryff to her chest and takes a seat.
He sighs. “So, what’s the deal here? Are you two like...friends now?”
I see Viola’s body go stiff in her chair and know I’m going to have to be the one to smooth this one over. “I thought you’d appreciate no fighting for one night.” I flash a small smile, shrugging nonchalantly. The oven timer goes off, and I walk back to the kitchen, leaving Viola alone with Drew.
I can hear her talking to him about the puppy and trying to get him to warm up to the idea of having him at the house. By the time I bring the food in, he’s smiling and holding Gryff.
“Well if Mia and I don’t work out, at least Gryff will be around to keep me company,” he says as he gets licked by the dog.
I walk back out and bring in some drinks before sitting down. Viola grabs the spoon and starts scooping dinner onto her plate. After Drew sets Gryff down, he grabs the dish next.
“So, King, first a puppy and now dinner? You trying to get into my sister’s pants?”
Before I can answer, Viola chokes on her drink and nearly spews it all over the table.
“You all right?” Drew turns and asks.
She coughs a few more times before rubbing a hand over her throat. “Yeah, uh, just went down the wrong pipe.”
My heart is beating out of my chest at the tension in the air, and a part of me just wants to tell him right now and get it over with, but I know Viola would kill me if I did. I promised we’d tell him when she was ready.
“So? Someone want to tell me what’s going on?”
“I’m seeing a guy at school, Drew, so just calm down,” she says before I can even get in a word. She says it so genuinely that I would almost believe her if I didn’t know any better.
“Who?”
“You don’t know him. Just some guy in my chem class.” She stabs her fork into the pasta and takes a bite.
“I thought you took chem last year?” he asks, narrowing his eyes at her.
I see her throat move as she swallows, and I can tell she’s nervous. I feel like I should say something, but I don’t want to make Drew more suspicious than he already is.
“I did. That’s when I met him.”
She’s blushing, but thankfully, Drew doesn’t notice.
“Well, what’s his name?”
“Whose?”
“The guy you’re seeing?”
Without thinking, I blurt out the first name that comes to mind. “Toby.” I squeeze my eyes closed and curse to myself. “He’s kind of quiet.”
She doesn’t make eye contact with him as she picks at her food.
“You mean a dork?” I speak up, breaking the awkward tension.
She glares at me right on cue, and I wink in her direction. “If by dork, you mean has a higher IQ than you can count, then yes.”
I release a cough to choke back the laugh that threatens to release. Fuck, she’s good—always throwing shit right back at me.
“Isn’t Courtney’s boyfriend named Toby?” Drew asks, breaking the spell between us.
“Uh, yeah. Well, he was. They broke up a while ago.” She grabs her phone, and her fingers begin flying over the screen. “Actually, I was going to invite her over to meet Gryff, if you don’t mind.”
Drew shrugs, his mind suddenly occupied, and I want to high-five Viola for her quick, witty answers.
We finish eating in silence, and I watch as Viola feeds Gryff scraps off her plate. Her phone dings with messages from Courtney. Using her to sidetrack Drew was brilliant on Viola’s part—another reason to reward her later.
Just as we’re cleaning up the table, Courtney walks in and immediately squeals when she sees the puppy.
“Oh my God!” She bends down and picks him up. “He’s so cute!”
“I told you!” Viola beams.
“I just want to smother my face in his fur!”
“Quit making it weird, Court.” Viola laughs and leads them both into the living room, leaving Drew and me alone in the kitchen.
“This thing with Mia is really bothering you, huh?” I try to make small talk because I’m not really sure if he wants to talk about her or not.
“Yeah, I have a feeling it’s something bad. Did she say anything to you that night?”
“Well, actually, there’s something I’ve been torn about telling you or not, but I figured it was best to let Mia tell you instead.”
“Fuck, man. I don’t know if I can wait that long. I can’t focus on anything.”
Before I can respond, Courtney lets out a loud laugh, directing us both toward the living room. I watch Drew’s facial expression soften, and I know he could use a good distraction right now.
“I’m going to the pet store to pick out some toys and food for Gryff. He’ll probably need something to do while you’re at school,” I say to Viola as I head toward the door, hoping she catches the hint.
I take a step behind Drew and nod my head toward him and then once again at Courtney. Viola picks it up right away and scrambles to stand quickly.
“It’s my dog, and I want to spoil him, too.”
I lift an eyebrow at her and almost forget that we’re not alone. “If you want to come, I’ll allow it.”
She smirks at my innuendo. “I do, and I’ll drive.”
Courtney: Did you seriously invite me over just to leave me alone with your brother?!
“She sounds pissed,” Travis says, laughing as he reads her messages on my phone. “What should I respond?”
“Tell her to take the opportunity and seduce him.”
“I’m not writing that,” he deadpans. “I’ll tell her to send a tit pic.”
Laughing, I reach over and grab my phone from his hand. “Shut up. She’ll be fine.”
Once we arrive at the pet store, Travis grabs Gryff’s leash and leads us inside. We pick out a handful of chew toys, treats, dog food, and a little bed.
“You know he’ll probably never sleep in that,” I tell him as we check out.
“Why not?”
“He’s a puppy! He’s going to want to sleep next to a warm body.”
“I’d prefer your warm body.”
“I’m sure he’ll let you spoon him when I’m gone.”
“Okay, fine. But I’m calling dibs on being the big spoon.”