Page 116 of Hate You Up Close

“That’s great,” he says, and I can hear his smile through the phone. “Um…”

His voice lowers as he trails off, a moment of silence passing between us.

“Look,” he sighs. “I know it’s probably weird for you. If it’s too much, I’ll understand–”

“I’ll be there, Everett,” I cut him off. “You would be there for me, and I’m a lot bigger of a shithead than you. So I can be there for you. ”

We both laugh.

“Thanks, Elliot,” he chuckles. “Mom’s probably going to cry when I tell her. You know how sappy she is.”

Mom is a crier. She cries at the drop of a hat, and all she’s ever wanted was for her boys to be close.

“Yeah,” I scoff. “She’s definitely gonna cry.”

“You should uh…You should bring someone with you,” he mutters. “Hell, you can even bring Zion if you want. I mean…if it would help make things less awkward for you. Plus, there will be tons of free food and drinks.”

Awkward doesn't even begin to cut. Standing around and chatting with my ex-fiancée's friends and family is going to be hell.

But I’m also kind of offended that my brother thinks I need to take my best friend to a party instead of bringing an actual date. Does he think I’mthatpathetic?

Because I’m egotistic and not humble at all, I lie.

“No, I’m glad you asked,” I clear my throat. “There is someone I would like to bring.”

There’s not. There’s no one. But I’m not about to say,“Sure, let me bring my thirty-five-year-old man friend.”

Oh well, I’ll figure it out. I always do.

“Oh really?” Everett says, sounding shocked.

Smug motherfucker.

“Why do you sound so surprised?” I ask. “In case you forgot, I’m the better-looking brother,” I joke.

“Ha,” he chuckles. “I just didn't know you were dating again. Good for you.”

“Yup,” I say, emphasizing theP. “And you better not steal her away this time, brother.”

I think I hear crickets coming from the phone speakers as awkward silence takes over.

Too soon?Oh shit, it was too soon to make that joke.

Just when I start to panic, Everett bursts out in laughter, his deep chuckle booming through the phone. I laugh too, because itwasfucking funny. I never thought we’d end up here…but it’s kind of refreshing to joke about it now.

“Shit,” he exhales, catching his breath. “I deserved that.”

“You sure as hell did,” I add, a smile stretching across my face.

“So, you’ll be there?” he asks after catching his breath.

“I’ll be there,” I confirm.

“Great, we’ll see you then,” he says. “I’ll let you get back to work.”

“And I’ll let you get back to playing in the dirt,” I joke.

Everett owns a successful construction business and makes a hell of a lot more money than me, so it’s only fair that I give him shit about it.