Page 16 of Deliverance

I move quicker, grabbing it between my fingers and taking a small inhale. It’s not like I’ve never smoked weed. With Brad as my older brother, how could I not have? I used to sneak into his stash in high school from time to time, but I never liked the way it made me feel. Instead of giggly and happy, I always got sluggish and tired. Something about Brad’s shit talking combined with the dramatic bitches I just came from has me foregoing my instincts, though.

I hold it in for a few seconds before blowing the smoke out. Maggie looks decently impressed as she takes it back, wrapping her lips around the joint to take another hit, blowing it out her nose before handing it to Brad.

“Oh shit! How do you feel Bridgey?” Brad giggles.

“Bridgey?” Maggie smirks.

“It’s Bridgette,” I grit through clenched teeth.

“Whatever, bro.” Brad laughs as he finishes off the joint before stubbing it out.

“Seriously, Brad. What are you doing here?” I ask.

“I need a place to crash for a few weeks. My apartment complex is doing maintenance. No big deal. I already cleared it with Dad. Didn’t he tell you?”

No, he didn’t. I haven’t heard a word from him since he disappeared for his two month long honeymoon. Not that I’m complaining. Honestly, it’s been nice. I hadn’t planned on putting up with my stoner brother, though. Even if it is only for a few weeks.

“So, what? You’re just gonna stay here and get high all day?” I ask.

“Maybe. Why do you care so much, Bridgey? Just sit back and chill. You’re so fucking uptight.”

“Has she always been this way?” Maggie asks.

“Oh fuck yes,” Brad laughs. “Even as a little kid, always trying to mother people and shit.”

I roll my eyes in irritation. Maybe if I had a brother who was a little more responsible, I wouldn’t have to mother him.

“Well, she has a dumb fuck for a brother, she probably had to,” Maggie teases, practically ripping my thoughts right out of my head.

Brad lets out what I can only describe as a typical stoner laugh before he nods.

“Shit, I fucking love this chick. And she’s our new sister? Score.”

“Stepsister.” Maggie corrects, casting me a look.

“Tomato, corn on the cob.” He shrugs. “So, does that mean we can fuck?”

“Brad!” I snap, rolling my eyes at him.

“What?” he asks.

Maggie, for some reason, seems to find him funny. She chuckles and shakes her head.

“Man, I’d love to, but you got the wrong plumbing.”

He frowns. “No, they’re redoing the floors. The plumbing is fine.”

Jesus Christ.

“She means she is into women, you know, not men. You have the wrong plumbing,” I say as I gesture to his crotch.

“Oh,” he says before his eyes light up. “OH! Shit, that’s super hot. Can I watch you the next time you fuck someone?”

“Bradley.” I sigh as I pinch the bridge of my nose.

Maggie lets out a laugh. “For five hundred bucks.”

“Fucking sold!” He snickers before climbing to his feet.