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Boys.
    “You’ll like her. She’s gorgeous, fun, smart, can outdrink my ass any day of the week. She’s good people.”
    With the palm of my hands, I rub my eyes. Stupid, cold, rainy wind. “Whatever. Don’t think I’m happy about this. And don’t think I’m going to stop trying to get you to change your mind, but I guess she must be alright if you like her.”
    Or not, but he doesn’t want to hear that. I push to my feet and before I know it, I’m tumbling off the porch and into the mud puddle I was just watching. Not hard and it wasn’t a big fall, but Derrick’s on top of me, shaking me.
    “That’s what I like to hear. I knew you’d understand.”
    I’m going to kill him. I push my brother, getting the best of him for the first time. Now I’m on top. And it’s still cold, and why are we wrestling in the rain? I don’t know, but it feels okay… almost normal.
    “I don’t understand shit, whipped boy. I’m just not going to bail on you the way you’re bailing on me.”
    Derrick pushes me again, and we break apart, both trying to find the best position to attack and get the better of each other.
    “I’d never bail on you, and you know it. Just wait. One day you’re going find the right girl and fall so head over your ass in love, you’ll know what I’m talking about.”
    “Not in a million years.” I lunge and tackle him to the ground. We’re both laughing and panting as we roll around on the cold-ass ground. He may be making a huge mistake, but he’s still the brother I know. I didn’t realize how much I missed him.
    “You’ve gotten stronger.” He rolls away from me, chest heaving. Rain is hitting us in the face, but we don’t move.
    “You’ve gotten softer. Is that what marriage does to you?”
    Derrick laughs. “I’m not married yet, smart ass. I can’t wait until you realize how dense you are. It’s going to be a joy to watch.”
    I open my mouth to tell him he’s lost his mind again, but we’re interrupted by a female voice. “Derrick? Oh—hey. Are you guys okay?”
    There’s a pair of familiar green eyes looking down on me. I can’t place where I know them from, but there’s something about them I recognize.
    “You must be Dylan.”
    She holds out her hand, and I want to be lame about it and ignore her. But I don’t. I let her help me up.
    “Hey. Nice to meet ya.” I look at the porch, the house, the ground, anywhere, but the girl who will always be there for Derrick, until one day she’s just gone.
    It’s different to like girls than it is to get serious about them. Never get your heart involved. That’s what Derrick told me, and now he’s the one doing it.
    “I rang the bell, but you guys didn’t answer.”
    Derrick gives her a cheesy smile. “I told you just to come in, baby. My house is your house.”
    I try not to gag.
    “I’m Lora.” She’s looking at me. “You guys want some hot chocolate? I brought you some.” She holds up a thermos.
    Hot chocolate? Hot chocolate? Does she think we’re five?
    “Sounds good, baby.” He kisses her.
    Yeah, totally whipped.
    We get into the kitchen, and I’m wondering how this girl is just suddenly walking into my house.
    “I feel really stupid for just suddenly walking in.”
    Great. Apparently Derrick’s awesome, gorgeous woman also has ESP.
    “Don’t be ridiculous.” Derrick looks at her in a way I’ve never seen my brother look at anyone. I’m caught between wanting to vomit again, wanting to ask him, what about me, and also feeling a little good seeing him like this. He’s obviously into this girl, but still.
    “Good hot chocolate,” I mumble, trying to break the connection. It actually is good, but whatever.
    “Thanks!” Lora smiles at me.
    Derrick was right, she is pretty. She seems nice enough, too, but nice doesn’t mean marriage and stabbing your brother in the back.
    Lora stands. “Anyway, I just wanted to come and meet you before tonight. Derrick talks about you all the time.” Funny,