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ten

Skylar

My phone hasn’t stopped ringing.

Consecutive meetings prevented me from responding to many calls and texts from Chase and my brother.

What the hell is going on? Why are they both calling me?

I pull up my calendar on my laptop while my director is talking about what’s next in implementing contact with new donors for funding. I look at my schedule today and see that after this meeting, I have a break.

Finally!

I pull up the messaging feature on my laptop that connects to my cell phone.

I click on my brother’s name first

Why aren’t you answering your phone

Are you avoiding me?

We need to talk!

Where are you?

CALL ME!!!!!!!!!

I close his frantic text messages and open up the messages from Chase.

Since you’re not answering your phone. I guess you might be busy at work. I’ll skip to the chase. So, I saw Jack last night.

When I was out to dinner with your brother.

Jack came to the table, mentioned your name, and E got suspicious. He asked why Jack put you and me in the same place for lunch. I told him we ran into one another.

I don’t think he bought it.

Well, that explains why my phone is blowing up.

Nothing happened. It’s not like I slept with Chase. We just snuggled in close to one another for an extended period, and sure, we kissed a little. Okay, a lot. And the kiss was good, really good.

Oh shit!

After this meeting is finished, I will make a call to Chase first. After all, our stories need to align. Then I can deal with the wrath of my over-protective brother.

The meeting was never-ending. My director was stalling, trying to fill the entire meeting time he allotted. He addressed questions, then circled the table; everyone voiced their action items before leaving.

Exiting the conference room, I retreated to my small corner office, closing the door. I pulled up Chase’s contact information and pressed his name.

“Hey. I take it you saw my missed calls and texts?” He states in answering.

“I did. Sounds like some good times were had at dinner?” I joke.

“If you want to call it that,” he laughs.

“So, fill me in. I haven’t called Ethan back yet, but I know he’s likely wearing down the flooring wherever he is.” I roll my eyes, hoping that he can tell from the inflection in my tone.

“So, I saw the guy walk in with some chick. They were seated at a table nearby. Didn’t even notice we were there until Ethan shouted at the server. Then the guy came over and mentioned recognizing me from lunch with you.”

“Oh, that’s not too bad. Why is my brother freaking out then?” I ask.

“He mentioned he was happy for you. It suggested a relationship, prompting intense questioning from Ethan.”

“Okay, so what did you say?”

“I said we bumped into one another while I was going to lunch. We had lunch together. His question regarding the guy’s happiness for you prompted me to clarify that the restaurant we visited was intimate, possibly leading to the mistaken assumption we were a couple.”

“That’s all?”

“You know how Ethan is. I’m sure he’s thinking that you’re pregnant with my child.”

“If one could be knocked up by having lunch with someone, the entire world would be in trouble,” I joke.

“I mean, your tongue was down my throat, you never know.”

“Excuse me, I think that your tongue was down my throat just as much as mine was yours. Don’t blame me entirely.”

“True, true. So, has E called you?” Chase questions.

“He’s called, and he’s texted. I’m surprised that he hasn’t come to my work yet. But his text messages were very demanding.”

“Demanding?”

“He thinks I’m dodging him; he’s persistent. The truth is, work’s been crazy busy. This meeting’s my first free moment.”

“Everything okay with work?” he asks.

“We’re tackling the same problems; we need solid funding plans and next steps after recent donor losses.”

“Where do you work again? United something?”

“United Methods, we partner with agencies to provide contractual funding for programs to help with the underserved populations.”

“Oh, no shit? That’s pretty cool. So, you help the unhoused and shit?” he asks.

“Yeah. We do it all. We provide contracts for several non-profits throughout the city. There’s nothing we don’t provide. Measurable elements are specified; however, individual agencies decide the next steps.”

“That’s sweet,” he replies.

I hear a beep in my ear, and pull the phone away from my ear to see who is calling.

Ugh, it’s my brother.

“Hey Chase, I should be going. Ethan is calling. It’s time to face the music.”

“Let me know how it goes and when to expect him barging down my door,” he laughs.

“Don’t joke around with that. It could very well happen. You know how he thinks.”

We say our goodbyes, and then I click over to answer Ethan’s call.

“Hey,” I say calmly.

“What the hell? Why haven’t you called me back?” he bellows.

“Because I’m at work, and I’ve been swamped. Why are you so agro?” I counter.

“Do you have anything to tell me?” he questions, opening up the space for me to come clean.

“Um, I am overly stressed with work and need a vacation?” I offer.

“Not exactly what I was looking for, Sky.”

“Then I’m not sure what you’re asking for, and honestly, I don’t have the bandwidth to figure out what you’re asking me to tell you, so how about you tell me what you think I have to tell you and let’s go from there,” I say, feeling my annoyance take over.

“Why were you and Chase having lunch together?”

“Are you kidding me?”

“Skylar.” He growls.

“If you may have forgotten, I’m a grown woman. I pay my own rent, have my own job, and live on my own. What I do is my business.” I growl back at him.

“Just answer me.”

“You realize that I already have a father, right? If you forgot, we share the same one.”

“Skylar,” he says sternly.

“Not that it’s any of your business who I spend time with. I ran into Chase while I was heading out for lunch, and we had lunch together.”

“Were you guys photographed together?” he rushes.

“Not that I’m aware of, and besides, if we were, it would be no big deal. We’re just two people stuffing our faces with delicious food.” I lie, “Well, he had a salad, and of course, my meal was delicious too.”

If we were to have been photographed, I would be in some hot water. I would be answering these questions in person, as he would likely be standing in front of me.

“Ethan, you know I love you. Tone it down. I’m a big girl. I don’t need your permission to do anything. You can worry about me, but you cannot dictate how I go about my life.”

“I don’t want you dating Chase.” He says simply, as if that was the subject all along.

“I never said so,” although I wish otherwise.

“He’s not boyfriend material. Plus, you’ve known him for so long, that would just be weird.”

“We’re done talking about this. That’s irrelevant; it’s still none of your business.”

“You know that I’m just here to protect you.”

“I don’t need protecting. While I appreciate the sentiment, I just need you to be my brother and to remember that I can take care of myself. If I need your help, I will ask you. Can you at least respect that?”

I hear my brother sigh.

I picture him rolling his hand down his face in frustration, and a part of me is also frustrated at the whole situation.

“Just stay away from Chase.”