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And he hung up the phone on me.

I snorted but did as I was asked. I sent my location as I grabbed my drink and sat down at one of the vacant tables. About five minutes later, Derek walked through the door with his gallant, unbearable spirit. Several girls looked at him, curious, devouring him with their eyes and all I could do was twist my face in disgust.

“What are you doing here? You don't even go to Belinda Stone.”

“Good morning to you too, Veronica” he mumbled, throwing himself next to me. I kept my eyes fixed on him, waiting for an answer. “Wow, I just came to take the car to the mechanic.”

“Is there no mechanic in the city where you live?” I asked, almost in disbelief.

“There is, but I wanted to come here. Can you stop being a prick? Thanks.” My brother brushed his slightly curly hair back, not caring that it wasn't changing anything in the end. “How are you?”

“Well, Derek... What do you want?”

My brother sometimes made me mad. He might think I didn't notice, but he suffocated me with his overprotection from time to time. I understood his side, of course. I wasn't an insensitive idiot, but I wasn't a little girl who needed her big brother to take care of her all the time.

“I was just nearby, okay? Besides, there's a game in a fortnight and your cheerleading team will probably go to my city.” he declared, convinced. “It's gonna be fun to crash Belinda. I'm just sorry you have to witness that.”

“Don't get me into the sportsmanship that's rooting against you. I guarantee you this won't be nice for either of us.” I warned him, but all I managed was to make him laugh.

We stayed there for a few more minutes until we had to leave, but not before hearing about the girl he had hooked up with at the last party. My brother loved filling his mouth to spill unsolicited details. I was sure he did it to annoy me.

My hair was tied up in a high, tight ponytail as I warmed up alongside Emily, Solomon, and Troian. We talked about the classes we had taken for the semester while our legs were stretched until we could kiss our knees. At some point, Becker sat down next to us, striking up a conversation. We stayed there, calmly, until Colleen came to me. Following her was an upset Kendra.

“Colleen, don't do that!”

“Quiet, Ken. Leave me alone.”

The youngest tried to hold her cousin's hand, but she let go and stopped in front of me with the biggest smile I'd ever seen on her face.

“Hi, Veronica. How are you?”

I found the interaction strange.

“All good...” I whispered , frowning my brows.

“Excellent!” Colleen was still smiling while Kendra looked bored. “Yeah... your brother, he is Derek Torres, right?” I nodded. “Could you introduce us?”

Kendra groaned, throwing her head back as if she had just been offended by what her cousin had said. In part, I understood her. What the hell would Colleen want with my brother?

“Why would I do that?” I asked, suspicious.

“She's had a crush on him since school...” grumbled Kendra, getting involved in the conversation. I let my attention wander between the two. I thought, for a moment, that this might be atasteless joke, but Colleen seemed to be waiting for my positive response.

And by the sparkle in her eyes, full of expectations, I could tell that yes, she really had a crush on my brother.

“Are you sure this is what you want?”

Kendra laughed, having fun at our expense.

“For the love of God, just to introduce us...” complained the other.

“My brother is no good, Colleen.” I said faster than I could contain it, but I regretted it in the same second. Why was I bad mouthing him? Maybe the conversation earlier had some effect on me and that wouldn't be good for Derek. “He's a frat boy.” I explained.

Kendra stepped between the two of us.

“I can't believe I'm agreeing with this bitch...” I rolled my eyes at her back. “But it's her brother, I think you should at least listen to what she says.”

Colleen laughed, displeased. I felt stuck in the middle of the whole situation. It wasn't bad, but I didn't think that if Derek was in the mood for more than casual sex, and if Colleen wanted more than that and ended up disappointed in him, I would definitely be the one who would pay for it. After all, I was the one who had practice with her every day.