Page 57 of Switchin' Lanes

30

Diesel

After Hollywood takes Tink outside,my phone buzzes in my pocket. I grab it and see my sister’s name flash across the screen.

“Hey, Lala. What’s up?”

“Just calling ‘cause I miss you. I graduate next month. Are you gonna make it,” she asks. My sister and my mom live back in Arizona and I haven’t made it back there much since moving to Texas.

“I plan on it,” I tell her. “With two guests.”

“What?” She squeals. “Did you and Tink finally talk some sense into Hollywood?”

My little sister may be eight years younger than me, but within the past few years, she’s become one of my absolute best friends. She’s ten times more mature than I was at her age. And wise beyond her years.

“Yeah, we did.” I chuckle. From the first time I admitted to her I had feelings for both Tink and Hollywood, she’s been my biggest cheerleader. She talked me into opening up to our mom, which I was terrified to do.

“Eek! I can’t wait to meet them!”

“You and Mom will love them,” I tell her. “Hey, have you heard back from any colleges yet?”

“Actually! I have.”

“Well? Are you gonna leave me in suspense or tell me which ones?” I laugh.

“The only one that matters,” she says.

“LSU?” I whisper shout.

“Yes!”

“Mila, that’s amazin’! Congrats, lil’ sis,” I gush. “The club has a chapter in New Orleans, so if you ever need anything before I can get there, they’ll be able to help. I’ll take you to meet them when you move out there.”

“I can’t wait. I’d like to move out there in July or August. Find a job and a place to live off-campus,” she tells me.

“I’ll reach out to one of the guys and see if they can help. I’m sure they have connections in Baton Rouge.”

“That would be great. Thanks, J.”

“Dude, Tink is definitely a Savage.” Buzz laughs, walking in from the back yard.

“What happened?”

“She kneed Carmine in the face and broke her nose!”

“It was well deserved,” Tink shouts from behind Buzz.

I laugh.

“What’s going on over there,” Mila asks.

“Just Tink bein’ territorial,” I tell her. “A cut bunny has been flirtin’ with Hollywood.”

“Ugh! Don’t get me started. I should have done more than break her nose.” Tink storms down the hallway toward her room.

“Sounds like she stood her ground.” Mila giggles. “I like her already.”

“You’ll only like her more the more you get to know her.”