My Brother Says I'm Dangerous

(2)

We pull up to Andy's house, and he jumps out.

"You coming?" He asks. "I'll only be a minute." I nod, following him into the house. He walks into the living room, which is filled with guys playing video games.

"Hey man." One says. "I got some for you, it's in the kitchen."

"Sweet." Andy grins. "Wait here Eva? I have to go lie to my parents." I laugh, nodding.

"Hey." The guy greets me. "I'm Andy's older brother, Jenson."

"Hey." I smile briefly. "Eva."

"Are you Nick Harrison's brother?" He asks curiously. "I work with him at the garage."

"Um." I sigh. Shit. "I wasn't here, yeah?"

"No problem." He shrugs. "None of my business. He talks about you a lot."

"I bet he does." I roll my eyes.

"Only good things." He reassures me.

"Right." I say, looking for Andy behind me. He reappears, grinning.

"Jenson, I told Mum I'm studying at the library, yeah?" He says.

"And she believed it?" He frowned.

"I think she's given up." Andy shrugs.

"Alright." He says. We turn for the door, Andy carrying a case of beer. I shut it behind me, getting back into the car.

"Time to party." Andy grins.

<><><><>

I sip my beer with Andy and a couple of others, the night only just really starting. We're under the bridge, where we all hang out. Spike has cranked up his stereo in his car, leaving the doors open, blasting Zeppelin. Daniel and Casey have already disappeared together, somewhere in the bushes. Typical.

"When's Leo coming man?" One guy complains. "He has my smokes."

"I got it worse man." Spike says. "He has my pills."

"You going hard tonight Eva?" Andy asks me.

"Better not." I say. "My brother would freak out if I came home high again."

"Are you really going to let your brother run your life?" I crane my head to see Leo jumping off the end of the bridge, landing in front of us.

"Leo, my man." Spike grins, as he catches a big paper bag.

"Share that around, yeah?" Leo asks, sitting down beside me, looking me up and down. "You look good tonight Ev."

"I haven't changed Leo." I say dryly.

"Must be your body then." He grins. I shove him away, laughing. Idiot.

<><><><>

The night goes on, and I'm already a little buzzed. Casey and I were talking in the bushes together, while the guys were checking out Daniel's new car, but now we're all sitting around in a circle, passing around what's left of the beer.

"Why don't you wanna be my girl Eva?" Leo asks quietly, sitting next to me. I stare at him, wondering if he's actually serious.

"I don't date." I say flatly.

"Why not?" He grins, trying to stroke my hair. I push his hands away.

"I just don't." I try to stand up, but he catches my arm, bringing me back down.