„It`s always nice to meet a fan. Sophie tells me you`re a detective, that sounds pretty cool.”
Am I kissing ass? Yeah, a little bit, and by the look on his face, he knows it too.
„It has its moments. So, you two shopping together? Isn`t that a little odd?”
Sophie just shrugs. She doesn't seem to be intimidated by her brother`s tone.
„Not really. We live in the same house, we eat the same food, so it`s only normal that we go shopping together. Don`t go all big brother on me. I`m a grown woman.”
He smirks at her, and then, as God as my witness, he ruffles her hair. The look she gives him would have shriveled my balls, but he just winks at her.
„You`ll always be my baby sis. So, how are you two getting along? Personally, I don`t think I could live with another person.”
He`s trying to seem relaxed and friendly, but I can tell he`s not happy about seeing us shopping together and if I`d have to guess I`d say he isn`t happy about his sister living with me either.
Sophie told me the story she gave both him and her best friend, and even though it`s not a very convincing one, I can`t blame her for not coming up with something better. I`m just thankful she was willing to cover for me.
„I was kind of a grump at first, but Sophie called me out on my bullshit and told me to get over it. I did, and now I`d say we`re doing pretty good.”
I look at her for confirmation, and she gives me one of those huge smiles of hers that always make me smile back.
„Yup, all`s good. Max is a great roommate, and he loves my food. You know how much I like feeding people. He`ll start practice in a few days so I`ll get to watch the Wolves in action. Jealous?”
Her brother`s eyes go big, and for a moment, he does look jealous before he schools his features and gives a nonchalant shrug.
„That sounds nice, I guess. But you`ll get bored. It`s not like you know a lot about football.”
„I know enough. Besides, I get to watch a lot of really fit men working out and getting all sweaty. There are worse jobs out there.”
This time be both frown at her. Since when is she interested in watching other men get sweaty?
„Most of those men have wives or girlfriends, you know.”
She looks at me like I`m ridiculous.
„I didn`t say I was going to proposition them, sunshine. Can`t a girl just look?”
„Sunshine? You call your boss sunshine?”
Her eyes go as round as saucers at her brother`s question. She`s so used to calling me that she doesn't realize she`s doing it anymore or that there`s something wrong with it.
„She`s being sarcastic. I told you I wasn`t very welcoming in the beginning, and she just started calling me sunshine to make fun of me.”
I think he would have been happy with my explanation had she left it at that. But she didn`t.
„Yeah, it`s just a thing we do. He calls me hobo.”
„Hobo?”
Well, this keeps getting better and better.
„It`s a joke. He can`t tell the difference between boho-chic and hobo-chic.”
She looks at me with a bit of desperation on her face, and I understand where she`s coming from. Our relationship is pretty unique, and it probably doesn't make a lot of sense to other people. Hell, sometimes it doesn't even make sense to me. So I`ll have to cut through the bullshit.
„Listen, I know it doesn't look like we`re behaving professionally, but I give you my word there`s nothing for you to worry about. I would never take advantage of Sophie. She`s become my friend, and I value that .”
I put my hand on Sophie`s shoulder in a show of support, and she immediately comes closer. I hate that she had to lie to her brother to keep my secret, but I`m also touched by her loyalty. Her brother looks at us, and I can tell he`s not entirely convinced there`s not something else going on between us, but he`s also aware there`s nothing he can do about it.
„I guess you guys know what you`re doing, but Sophie, if you need anything, you know where to find me.”
„I`m fine, Sammy. But yeah, I know where to find you.”
„Ok. I have to go, but we`ll talk later. I was nice meeting you, Max.”
„Yeah, nice meeting you too. Maybe you`ll come by sometime. I`m sure you miss your sister`s cooking.”
I don`t usually invite people over because I like having my space to myself, but maybe this way, he`ll feel better about Sophie living with me.
„I do miss it. Gwen comes by sometimes and takes pity on my stomach, but nothing compares to your fettuccine alfredo. Just don`t tell her I said that.”
„Gwen comes by your place and cooks for you?” She tries to sound casual about it, but I can see she`s interested in the answer.
„She`s come by once or twice. We do live in the same building, after all.”
„Yes, you do. That reminds me, maybe you could keep an eye on her now that I can`t be there as often. You know how she gets; if I`m not there to drag her out, she`ll never leave her apartment.”
He looks a bit uncomfortable, and I`m starting to wonder what the story is between him and this Gwen chick.
„What do you want me to do about that? If she wants to stay at home, I can`t make her go out.”
„Of course not, but I was thinking you could take her to the movies or something. You know, as friends.”
Oh, she is so playing matchmaker.
„We`ll see. I have to go now.” He gives her another hug and me a chin nod, and he`s gone.
„Wow, you are the queen of subtle, aren`t you. You should be a diplomat.”
„What? I was only trying to look out for my friend.”
„Mhm, and does your friend happen to like your brother?”
„I`m sure she does, he`s a nice guy.”
„Oh
