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“Has anyone ever told you that you don't have to be so boring?”
“I'm not boring.”
“I would review these concepts if I were you.”
I was about to say something, but the intercom started ringing and distracted my attention.
“It must be our lunch,” he said as he turned to the door. “Ty, go with Thom to get the door.”
“Why me?”
“Those strong arms of yours must be good for something.”
“I'm usually served, not the other way around.”
“It's a good thing we're not in court, isn't it?”
My brother shook his head in the negative and looked from side to side before finally getting up and walking with me to thedoor. As soon as I opened it, I noticed that the delivery man had already arrived. He gave us the bags, and I paid for the orders.
My mother helped me set the table, plates, cutlery, and glasses for everyone. As soon as we called them to eat, the twins were the first to come. And I imagined that the sweet my sister had offered might be an extra motivation.
After lunch, they went to play with my parents while I poured myself and Tyler a shot of whiskey. Deborah preferred to open a bottle of wine she had chosen from my small cellar.
“To Lennox!” Tyler raised his glass, and we made a small toast.
“To us!” Deborah joined in.
I took a sip while alternating my gaze between them and the window that showed the tall buildings of New York City.
Apart from my time in Boston while studying at Harvard, my whole life had been built there. I couldn't see myself anywhere other than that city with its skyscrapers, large corporations, and the hectic life of the residents who were always on the run.
“Have you seen the woman from yesterday again?” Deborah brought up something I didn't want to discuss at the moment.
“What woman?” Tyler seemed interested, and I looked at our sister, suspecting that she had done it on purpose.
“The twins' teacher, who Thom saved from a pervert yesterday at the nightclub we went to together.”
“I didn't know you'd got a girlfriend,” said my brother, squinting to get a better look at me.
“It's because I haven't tidied up.” I snorted.
“So who is she?”
“Nobody important.”
“But it could be.” Deborah put her hopes where they didn't belong.
“Why keep just one when you can have them all?” Tyler chuckled as he gave me a mischievous look.
“Hey, shut up!” Deborah slapped his stomach with her hand and almost made him spill his drink.
“I'm telling the truth.”
“You're an idiot, Ty, but Thomas didn't used to be like that.”
“Those were different times,” I said thoughtfully.
“Uncle!” The twins came running and grabbed my brother's legs.