Page 13 of Stroked Long
Then there’s his attitude. I knew he was closed off, but at times he was almost so abrupt that it startled me. I’ve never met anyone like him, so unwilling to hold a conversation, so uncomfortable all the time. It almost looked like he was going to break down from how nervous he looked. The man I’ve watched preparing for a race—okay, drooled over while watching—I never would’ve thought could be the same man I spent an hour with in his condo.
“Uh oh, by the look on your face, it seems like it didn’t go as well as I hoped.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, eyeing her.
“You know what I mean, with the foundation. I thought you would be the perfect fit, someone he could trust.”
“I think that part went all right. When we spoke of the foundation, our conversation was flawless, it was the moments in between that were incredibly . . . awkward.” I cringe, hating to bash her brother. “I don’t mean to be rude about it. I enjoy his company very much, but I just don’t think he gets me. I can be a little much at times.”
“Don’t blame yourself.” Eva waves me off. “It’s not you, it’s him, and I mean that.” Eva pauses and looks to the ceiling, contemplating what to say next. “Bodi’s had a pretty hard life, and the things that happened to him when he was younger affect him to this day. He’s sought out help and sees a therapist every week, but he still has his quirks.”
“I can relate to the quirk part.” I laugh. “Look at me, I’m wearing a purple dress with a green cardigan and a red belt because it reminds me of Ariel fromThe Little Mermaid.I’m more likely to do a little jig and sing you a song than sit still and shake your hand.”
“But that’s what I love about you. You’re unique, unlike anyone I’ve ever met.”
“Yeah, I sure did a great job introducing myself to Bodi the other day in front of Rita. I had a circle of glitter plastered on my face, and I’m pretty sure when I introduced myself, I gave your brother my jazz hands.”
Eva claps her hands together, throws her head back, and laughs. “Oh, that’s fantastic.”
“He looked at me as if I had five heads,” I counter, remembering his horrified face.
“Does that upset you? Would you want him to look at you differently?” Eva leans closer, looking for some dirt.
I point at her with a knowing finger. “I know what you’re doing; you’re trying to hook me up with your brother.”
“Well, duh!” She rolls her eyes. “Isn’t it obvious? He needs someone like you in his life, Ruby. And let’s be honest, you can’t sit here and tell me you don’t think he’s a looker.”
“Eh.” I wave my hand, trying to hold back the snort that wants to erupt from my blatant lie.
“You are such a liar; it’s written all over your face.” She pushes my arm from across the table. “Come on, admit it. He’s hot.”
“It’s disturbing you’re saying that as his sister, his lesbian sister.”
“Hey, just because I have a woman at my side doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the male form. Not that I’m checking my brother out, but I know a good set of abs on a man can tip the scale for any woman. So just come clean and talk to me.”
Sighing, I cross my arms over my chest in defiance and lean against my chair. “Fine, he’s hot.”
With a loud slap to the table, Eva sits back, glee plastered all over her face. “I knew it!”
“Here are your drinks, ladies,” the waitress says, interrupting the embarrassment I’m running through.
“Thank you.” Eva hands her a fifty and tells her to keep the change. The waitress gawks for a second and then thanks her profusely.
Once the waitress is gone, I say, “Thank you for my drink and treat, you didn’t have to pay. You’ve already done so much for me.”
“Please, I know what you make over at the Boys and Girls Club. I’m sorry it’s the only thing I could hook you up with, but this foundation stuff should give you some good experience, especially putting together a gala. That will be great for your résumé.”
I nod and take a sip of my coffee after I blow on it. ““I agree. I’m excited to get started—”
“Oh, no you don’t, we were talking about Bodi, let’s go back to that.” Eva holds up her hand to stop me while her lips are on the rim of her cup.
Of course she wouldn’t let me get away with skipping over the Bodi talk.
“What is there to say?”
“You said he’s hot, let’s talk about that.”
My forehead rests in my hand. “This is so embarrassing.”
