Page 2 of Offside Possession

“He knows and I know,” he huffed, probably running his fingers through his hair. “Look, he’s doing me a favor. He’s in town because the season is about to start. Just…” He stopped himself, and my lips twitched. Sam had just been about to bark orders at me like I was one of his employees but caught himself. Huh, guess an old dog could be taught. “Will you please meet him tomorrow? For brunch? I sent you his number and the brunch spot he suggested.”

“Sam—“

“Eat, get to know him. Maybe let him drive you around the city.”

“Drive me around the city?” I repeated. “Wait, hold up. Are you setting me up on a date?” I asked.

“If you were really psychic, you would already know that, wouldn’t you?” he said in a smug tone.

“Sam.” My blood pressure started to rise. My brother, heaven help him, was about to be murdered!

“No!” he exclaimed then sighed. “It’s not a date. You think I would want to hook you up with an athlete? I just want him to show you the ropes. You know, the safe and not-so-safe areas of Houston.”

“Safe and not-so-safe? Oh my god, do you even hear yourself right now, Sam?” I shut my eyes and counted to ten so I wouldn’t chuck my cell phone across my new townhouse.

“Please.” Sam’s tone softened. “You’re my baby sister and a million miles away.”

“That’s an exaggeration.” People always talk about how it’s the youngest of the family who knows how to work people into getting them to do what they want, but no one ever gave the eldest sibling their due credit on guilt trips.

“Please?” he asked again in that same soft, resigned tone, one that, along with his exasperated and frustrated one, I knew all too well.

He’d used it when I told them I was moving to Houston and ‘wouldn’t listen to reason.’ His words, not mine.

But Sam wasn’t like your typical older brother.

He had stepped in when our dad passed away and helped my mom, who was left raising four kids on her own. I might have been young, but there was no denying the sacrifices my brother made for us. Even up until recently, he had always been more like a dad in a way. Not even dating or creating a life outside his business and his family.

Thankfully, he was making up for lost time now that he was not only dating but marrying his neighbor.

“Fine.”

“Thank you.” The relief was clear in his voice.

“Yeah, sure.” I rolled my eyes. “I’m gonna go. Give Avery my love.”

“I will. You’re staying in, right? You’re not going to go out right now? It’s late and⁠—“

“Sam!” His wife beat me to it. “Leave her alone!” I could hear her scolding him and pictured the chastised look on his face.

“Fine. Just be safe if you do go out.”

“When haven’t I been safe?” I asked, but I knew he was beyond listening to me.

“Take your pepper spray and the Taser and—“ The phone shifted. “Babe! Hey, what are you⁠—“

“Good night, Stella. Your brother loves you and only wants the best for you,” Avery’s voice sounded over the line.

“At least tell her to use protection if she—“ He sounded far away. I snorted. Sometimes, I swear, Sam still thought of me as some stupid hormone-led sixteen-year-old.

“Bye! Love you! Have fun!” Avery cut him off and ended the call. I shook my head and giggled as I tossed my phone onto the couch.

When I told my brother I had to go, I didn’t really have plans.

But something was telling me I should go out, like a sixth sense whispering for me to find something, anything to do. I picked up my phone and looked at the list in my notes I had of places I wanted to check out. I was a little hungry, and one drink wouldn’t hurt.

A new BBQ grill and bar I had found just the night before showed that it was only a ten-minute Uber ride away from me.

After shooting a quick text to my sisters about where I was going because even though I loved to annoy Sam, a girl always had to be safe, I hurried to change and was ready in less than the fifteen minutes the Uber took to get to my place. Something felt like it glittered over my skin the moment I stepped out of the SUV, waving goodbye to my new friend Kendall.