Page 20 of Not In The Contract

I leveled my gaze at her, searching. “Often enough to make it my favorite,” I hedged. I knew she was angling to find out if I went out without her.

I did.

But telling her that would only invite conflict, and I didn’t have time for that.

“I’ve never been here.” She sniffed. “It looks nice.”

I nodded absently, studying her closely.

She’d be forty soon, yet she had all the mannerisms of a belligerent twenty year old. Spoiled, as my friends frequently reminded me. But she was my only family.

And I owed her more.

“I’ve been busier than usual lately,” I said. “I should take you out a little more often.”

“Especially because we have some celebrating to do,” she added with a satisfied smirk.

“Oh?”

“I got a new gig!”

I blinked in surprise and my lips twitched into a smile. “That’s great news, Jamie,” I told her, a thousand other things weighing on my mind. “Tell me about it.”

She dove head first into the details of her latest gig, but all I could think about were all the other gigs she’d gotten bored with, all the jobs she’d shirked because she didn’t like them.

The only constant thing in Jamie’s life was me. She burned through friendships and jobs and love interests, only ever coming back to me because I was family. And I was left guilt-ridden because it was my job to take care of her, and I’d failed to do so for a long, long time.

“Are you listening?” she asked impatiently.

I lifted my gaze to hers, her eyes narrowed in irritation.

“Hm? Yes, of course I am,” I said, maybe too quickly because she glared.

But she continued as though it didn’t matter if I was listening or not.

“Anyway, the owner of the bar said he’s never heard anyone play like me,” she gushed, paying no attention to the waiter. “He wants me to play every night!”

I murmured my order to the waiter, remembering what happened the last time I’d interrupted her to order food.

“That’s wonderful,” I said. “He’s clearly got an eye for real talent.”

My sister beamed and it warmed the inside of my chest a little. I enjoyed making her happy. Her decision to pursue a career in music had led her to many closed doors, and each dead end was a blow to her self esteem. I was happy she’d finally found what sounded like a good gig. I just hoped she wouldn’t get bored after a week of it.

“So, when do you start?” I asked. “I’d love to come and watch you play.”

“Really?” she asked with glee. “I start next week, but maybe you can come and watch a little later. I don’t want you to see me while I’m still rusty.”

“Are you kidding?” I chortled. “Even rusty you’re still better than most musicians out there.”

“Maybe, but I still would rather you be proud of me, you know?”

“I am proud of you, Jamie,” I told her sincerely. “You’re a talented musician and you’ll be amazing whenever you play. Just tell me when you want me to come and watch you, I’ll bring a crowd with me to cheer you on.”

“Your friends aren’t exactly my biggest fans,” she pointed out in distaste.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” I lied. “They’re just… a little difficult sometimes. But you’re family.”

“Which means I come first?”