Sofia’s chest heaved up and down still, and Brandon glanced at it. As much as her legs ached, she pushed herself up. “I’ll get you next time.”

“What? You’re done?” He looked up at her.

Sofia looked back at him. “I gotta go.”

“I was hoping we could talk.”

She tilted her head. “About what?”

“There are some things I’ve always wanted to tell you.” He must’ve read her expression because he added, “Nothing your boyfriend would have an issue with. I know you’re with Eric now and I respect that. I’m not the guy I was when we were kids. I’d just like a few minutes so we can talk.”

She stared at him. Brandon pulled himself up quickly. Sofia’s eyes inadvertently glanced at his muscled shoulders. He was immediately face to face with her. She almost took a step back, suddenly feeling a little overwhelmed by him. “So when can we talk?”

She had no idea what he could possibly want to talk go her about. Even though he said it was not anything Eric would have an issue with, his eyes seemed to invade her when he spoke to her. If Eric or even her brothers witnessed it, she was sure they’d all have issues. But she had to admit, she was curious. “Another time. Not now, I really gotta go.”

Brandon touched her arm, and she almost jumped. “I look forward to it.”

She felt shivers shoot up her back. They weren’t exactly bad shivers, but they definitely made her feel something she knew she shouldn’t be feeling.

“Bye.” She walked away and hurried into her yard.

***

Eric switched the channel on the television. He stopped on footage of a car accident. He turned to Sofia, who was lying half-asleep on the bed. They’d rented a room again, and after an exhausting, but incredible night of love making, he’d finally woken up.

“You remember when Asia’s dad got in the accident in high school where the passenger was killed?”

Sofia was awake now. “Yeah.” She sat up slowly, propping herself against the pillow.

“Well, get this. The person that was killed was his mistress.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, that’s why she moved away seniored tress. year. Her parents divorced, and her and her mom moved to Los Angeles. She said her mom didn’t even know at first. Her dad told her mom it was just a co-worker he was giving a ride home. Then a few weeks later, the mistress’s husband showed up at their house and told her about it. Isn’t that crazy?”

When she didn’t respond, he turned to her. He couldn’t make out her expression but it wasn’t good. “What’s wrong?”

“How often do you talk to Asia?”

“When I see her in the coffee shop, but she doesn’t work every day.” He had a feeling where this was going. “Why?”

“Did you go out with her in high school?”

Eric thought about it and suddenly he felt like kicking himself. “No, I didn’t go out with her.”

“I heard something about you and her, I just don’t remember the details.”

“What difference does it make, Sof? That was a long time ago.”

“So you did?” She sat up even more.

Eric took a deep breath. “I hooked up with her once after a party in like the ninth or tenth grade. I don’t even remember anymore. Is that what this is about?” He clicked the television off. “Is that why you made the comment about her dressing like a whore?”

“Why? Did that bother you, Eric?”

“No, I just thought it was kind of random.” He almost didn’t say it, but he did anyway. “And a little rude.”

“Oh, I’m sorry my opinion bothers you.” She stood up, pulling his t-shirt over herself. She crossed her arms. “Obviously, your opinion of someone who wears short shorts and fishnet stockings with her tits practically hanging out is different from mine, since you still hooked up with her.”

“I think everyone’s a little ashamed about some of the styles they wore in high school, Sof. She’s not like that anymore.”

“Oh really, Eric?” If looks could kill, there’d be a gaping hole between Eric’s eyes. She raised her voice. “Why don’t you tell me what she’s like? You two real tight now? Is that why she would tell you something so personal about her dad?”

As much as Sofia hated to admit it, she was just like her brothers. Her temper could go from zero to sixty in a split second. Eric had a feeling this was going to get ugly, because she was starting to piss him off. He dropped the remote on the bed. “You know what really bothers me, is that you would question my loyalty to you even after all these years. I’ve never given you any reason to.”

“You’ve never once brought up the possibility of me going out there to visit you and you know I wanted to. And now you keep talking about this girl you see every day. Someone who shared something so intimate with you? A girl you hooked up with once. Of course I’m going to have doubts.”

Eric stood up, forgetting he was still naked. He bent over, pulled his boxer briefs from the ground, and slipped into them. “I already told you, I don goiou,c stood upt see her every day. I’ve only had coffee with her…” He nearly choked on his own words. Why the f**k did he just say that? “…a couple of times.”

“You had coffee with her?” Sofia spun around and grabbed her sundress from the chair. She pulled off the t-shirt, allowing Eric a beautifully naked view of her for a few moments until she pulled the dress over her head.