My Brother's Best Friend

Chap. 13

"We need to talk," Emmett said, as I pulled a yogurt out of the refrigerator.

"That's not the most pleasant way to start a morning conversation," I said, as I pulled the top off the yogurt container.

"Sorry. Good morning Emily. We need to talk."

I rolled my eyes, taking a seat on one of the barstools. "What's up?"

"We need to talk about what happened."

"We already did that," I reminded him. "We had a heart-to-heart and then called things even, remember?"

Emmett smiled at me. "I'm afraid it's not that simple sis."

I let out a sigh.

"Three new rules," he said, holding up the number 3.

"Rules?" I asked.

"Trust me, you want mom and dad to hear that we're working on it rather than ignoring the problem."

I couldn't help but agree with that.

"Rule number one," he said, leaning on the counter. "I don't care if you're going out to breakfast with Michelle or if you have a major paper to work on or what, you will eat breakfast here before you leave."

"Okay," I agreed.

That didn't seem unreasonable.

"Two, you can keep your membership with Gold's, but only if you go with Michelle. I'm not comfortable with you going alone yet."

I sort of saw that one coming. I misused my membership; I was expecting my parents to take it away.

"And three," Emmett said, holding up a three, "we're eating dinner together every night."

"You have to-"

"I cut back on my hours."

"No," I argued, shaking my head. "That's unfair to you."

"I don't mind," he promised, with a half-smile. "You're more important to me than the body shop."

I sighed, shaking my head.

"And Parker will eat with us too," Emmett added. "It'll be like we're one awkward family."

Awkward is definitely the word I'd use to describe it.

Emmett still didn't know what had happened between Parker and I, that little intimate moment we'd shared there for a couple of minutes. And I didn't ever plan on him finding out.

"Oh, and one more thing," he said, pressing his lips together.

"What?"

"Do you want to give me your card or mom and dad?"

Right, the credit card I'd also misused.

I'd much definitely give it to Emmett than see my dad's disapproving glare when I had to turn it over to him.

I reached in my wallet, handing him my credit card.

"Sorry."

"Don't be," I said, offering Emmett a half-smile.

It wasn't his fault.

"So that's what I'm going to report to mom and dad," he informed me, as I finished off my yogurt. "And we'll see if I can't cool them down before you get home."

"How mad were they when you talked to them?" I asked, as I cracked open a bottle of water.

"Not mad," Emmett said, with a shake of his head. "Just a bit irrational."