My Brother's Best Friend

by Becky Andrews

  Devin chuckled and put the DVD into the machine. He was familiar with everything in our house. He was like family, but if I said he was family, that would mean he had some place in my heart. And that was so not the case. He was a friend, maybe, but not family.

  We had almost gotten through an entire episode when the pizza arrived. Devin got up and paid the delivery guy and took the pizzas into the kitchen.

  I stood up and walked to the stairs. “Em! Dinner’s here!” I didn’t hear any reply. “Emily! Did you hear me?”

  “Yes, I heard you. I’m coming, okay?” she said aggressively.

  “All right, I was just checking. You don’t have to snap at me,” I said calmly.

  She didn’t respond, but instead walked past me into the kitchen. She was still mad. Mad at me, and mad at Devin. She hated that he didn’t pay her the slightest attention.

  “You got a salad, right?” Emily asked upon seeing the pizza boxes on the table.

  “Yeah, Devin ordered one.” I sidestepped past her to grab a plate. “Here.” I gave her a plate and took one for myself. “I didn’t know what dressing you wanted, but I figured you could just use the stuff you have in the fridge.”

  “Yeah, okay, whatever,” she said, practically stomping to the fridge. She pulled the fat-free Italian from the drawer and slumped back in her seat.

  “Something wrong, Em?” I wasn’t sure if she was mad because Devin was still here and he was hanging out with me, or if she was mad because I didn’t invite her to join us. Or maybe both?

  “Nothing,” she said through clenched teeth.

  I looked over at Devin, and he shook his head as if to tell me to just drop it. I shrugged my shoulders in an “oh well” manner then lifted up my plate and extended it toward Devin. Without me even having to say anything, he opened the pizza box near him and loaded the plate with two slices of my favorite, pepperoni and black olive. I smiled and nodded my head in approval.

  After loading his own plate with two slices of bacon and onion and one slice of pepperoni and black olive, he motioned toward the living room.

  I nodded my head at his proposition. “Hey, Em, we’re watching Lost and figured we could eat and watch it at the same time, so if you want to join us, feel free.” I stood up with my plate and cup in hand.

  “Whatever, I’m just going to eat in my room. I was talking to Stacy before you yelled up the stairs.”

  “Ok, if that’s what you’d like to do. Feel free to join later, if you want.” I walked out of the kitchen and into the living room. The fridge slammed shut behind me, and I figured she put the dressing away and maybe grabbed a water or coke. Then she stomped up the stairs, making sure we knew she was still angry.

  Devin cleared his throat then turned the television back on and pressed play. The episode continued where we left off.

  Around nine-thirty, the front door unlocked and Mitchell walked in. He walked into the living room. “Season 5?”

  “Yep. There’s pizza in the kitchen if you want any. Oh, and some salad,” I replied, smiling up at my brother.

  “How’d it go?” Mitch asked.

  “Uh, our sister is mad at me again, or maybe she’s mad at Devin. I can never tell. Anyway, she stomped upstairs after grabbing dinner and is probably still talking to Stacy about how horrible I am.”

  “I’ll talk with her. Thanks, Devin, for coming over. Sorry I wasn’t here earlier.”

  “Forget it. You were out with Megan, which reminds me, can you and Megan have lunch with me tomorrow?”

  “I’m sure we can work it out. Just give me a call or text me, that might be easier.”

  “I’m going to head upstairs so you two can have your male bonding time.” I smiled as I got up and tried to take Devin’s plate.

  “I’ll take care of it,” Devin said, grabbing my plate instead.

  “Thanks. Night, Mitch.”

  “Night, Chris.”

  “Bye, CJ,” Devin called as I walked up the stairs.

  Once I got to my room, I stared at the notebook Dr. Stone wanted me to use as a journal. Maybe I should write about Emily. I didn’t know why she was angry at me when she knew I didn’t like Devin. She should be mad at Devin for not paying her any attention. I decided to tell Dr. Stone about her behavior. Maybe eventually I’d actually start talking to Dr. Stone about more than just my childhood. Maybe I’d actually talk to him about what goes on with me daily. Maybe. That doesn’t mean I would talk to him about my parents or high school.

  No way. That would never happen.

  Chapter Two

  “Good afternoon, McCormick, Byron and Rauth,” I said the next morning at work.

  “Yes, hi, this is Betty for John Byron.”

  “One moment, please.”

  Some might say being a receptionist seems like an easy job. Well, it’s not as easy as it seems. Just like life, I guess. I have several responsibilities here. I answer calls for both law firms in the building: MBR and Mayor & Sons. This isn’t always simple because both firms have VIP clients and have different protocols for certain people.

  Betty, whose last name shall remain anonymous, is a VIP client with MBR. When she asks for Mr. Byron, she gets transferred to Mr. Byron. And if he or anyone else is out or busy, a VIP client has the option of leaving a message or talking with someone else. They also have the option to page him if he’s in the office, just not at his desk.

  At Mayor & Sons, every client gets put through to the person they ask for, unless they are calling for Mr. Brian Mayor or Mr. Royce Mayor, then they are put through to their secretaries, unless it’s a VIP client. I have lists of both firms’ VIP clientele. I am also notified when someone in the office will be away or out to lunch, so I can transfer the calls accordingly.

  I also sign in visitors and take care of booking rooms for different meetings, making sure there are no double bookings. That happened once when one of the admin clerks was taking over for a few minutes while I was on break. Let’s just say she hasn't covered me since.

  All of my tasks keep me busy throughout the day. The only time it seems to slow down is around lunch. It’s a great job and pays well for what it is. The best part is I can basically do what I want as long as I don’t miss calls or meetings or incoming faxes.

  I’ve been working at the front desk for nearly four years now, and even though there are about 150 total staff, counting both firms, I can greet almost every employee who walks through the front door by name. The woman who did this before me was so disorganized it’s no wonder they replaced her. Originally, I was only a temporary employee while she was on vacation for a month.

  I spent my first day organizing the desk and the surrounding area. You wouldn’t believe how much crap she had just laying around. She had several undelivered faxes from months before I even started working here. They were so impressed by my work ethic and organization that they decided to keep me on, even after she returned. Needless to say, she was surprised when she came back to find her things moved to a new location with the other admin clerks at MBR. I can’t say she was happy, but neither was she upset. She told me later that she had always been stressed by answering the phones and the multi-tasking.

  I don’t know, there was just something about answering phone calls and greeting people that I really enjoyed. Maybe it was the opportunity this job provided to be someone different, giving me the chance to see what it’s like to be happy for a change. At home, I could only feel sadness, but here I was someone different. I could be my old self, the person I was before the accident, before my life turned upside down.

  Maybe that’s what’s wrong with me. I’m living a type of double life. Don't we all in some ways?

  Note to self: Ask Dr. Stone about this.

  Oh, my phone was buzzing. I had a text from Megan.

  We’re back from lunch.

  Is it still quiet up there?

  ———————————————-

  Sent from the iPhone of Megan Meyers

  I cros
sed her and Mitchell’s names off the lunch list. And by the way, when did everyone get an iPhone? It’s like they all brag about the fact that they own an iPhone or Android these days. Sent from the iPhone of so-and-so. Why don’t they come up with a better signature? I think I would change mine every week if I had one. Make it something funny.

  All my family have one and so do my two best friends, Charlotte and Sarah, who I met through work. Although they may have upgraded since I last saw them. They both moved to Europe to pursue master’s degrees, so I haven’t spoken to them in a while. Even though I like people, I can find it pretty hard to really open up and let new people in sometimes. I think I’ve let the past affect me too much. If it wasn’t for how amazing Megan is and our closeness, I think I would feel pretty isolated.

  Yes. It’s dead quiet.

  Where did you two go?

  Mimi’s.

  I got you a bran muffin. :)

  —————————————-

  Sent from the iPhone of Megan Meyers

  I love Mimi’s Café muffins, especially their bran muffins. I know it sounds gross—bran muffins—but they are delicious when warmed up with melted butter. Mmmm.

  Meg, you’re the BEST!!!

  I know. I’m just trying to

  get into your good graces.

  ——————————————

  Sent from the iPhone of Megan Meyers

  You’re already like a sister to me.

  No bribes necessary here.

  You might not say that after

  what I have to tell you.

  ——————————————-

  Sent from the iPhone of Megan Meyers

  What are you going to tell me?????

  Well, I’ll just come up there and tell you.

  It will be better that way.

  ——————————————-

  Sent from the iPhone of Megan Meyers

  I wondered what she wanted to tell me. I mean, not much would upset me, unless she told me she and Mitch were breaking up, but that’s not it. So what could it be? I doubted it’s as big a deal as she’s making it out to be.

  A few minutes later, I saw her walking down the hallway toward my desk with the muffin in hand. It was already warmed up. This couldn’t be good.

  “So what do you have to tell me?” I asked her.

  “Well.” She pulled up a chair beside my desk. “Devin went to lunch with us today.” Another bad sign, but I already knew that. “And he had some really nice gifts for us.”

  “How is that bad news? I mean it is weird that he would give you presents, it’s not like it’s—oh my god! I totally forgot about your anniversary!”

  She chuckled and I think she realized at that moment she had something to use against me. “It’s okay, Christy. Devin went a little over the top, even though he says he just won them.”

  “Won what? And you’re not mad at me?”

  “No, of course not! I would be mad if Mitch forgot, but he didn’t, and we had a great time last night.” She was totally in love with Mitch, that much was obvious.

  “What did he get you?”

  She pulled her hair back and showed me the diamond earrings Mitch bought her. “Wow, those are gorgeous. Good job, Mitchell.” They would match the diamond ring he got her too, if only he would propose already!

  “I know, I was surprised too. Much better than the other gifts he’s bought me.”

  I chuckled. “Yeah, really, I still can’t believe he thought that a gift card for iTunes was a good idea.”

  “Who knows?” She shrugged.

  “But what was it you wanted to tell me? We got off track.”

  “Well, like I said, Devin came to lunch with us. He won a trip for two to Las Vegas from a raffle at work. He never thought he would win, but he did, and he told us he wanted to give it to us as an anniversary present.”

  My mouth hung open.

  “But that’s not all.” There’s more? “Mitch will only agree to it if Devin stays at the house while we’re gone.”

  The phone rang before I had time to voice my displeasure. I had to answer it. “Mayor and Sons.”

  “Crystal Harris, please.” I transferred the call then looked back to Megan.

  “Don’t shoot the messenger. I told Mitch it would be better coming from me. Was I wrong?”

  I shook my head. “No…it’s just…Devin has to stay at the house?”

  “Mitch wants to know you will be safe.”

  “We don’t need a baby-sitter, and especially not Devin. Doesn’t Mitch know that this will just cause more problems with Emily?”

  “Well, that’s the thing. We scheduled the trip for next week. We’re leaving Saturday.”

  It didn’t take me long to figure out why I should have been mad. “That’s Emily’s spring break!” Megan nodded her head, confirming my fears. “And she’s going to a cheerleading camp with her team.” Megan nodded again. “But that would mean it would be just me and Devin.”

  She had a pained look on her face, probably because she thought I was going to do something drastic. “Yes.” Only it sounded more like a question.

  I took a deep breath before I responded. “Okay. I’ll just tell Mitchell that I don’t need Devin there. I am perfectly capable of handling things on my own.”

  The phone rang again before Megan had the chance to respond. Only it wasn’t a client. “Mitchell.” I strained to be civil.

  “So I guess Meg told you the news.” He sounded worried.

  “Yes, she did.”

  “I take it you’re not very happy about the whole situation.”

  “You know perfectly well I don’t like it.”

  “I just think it would be best if you weren’t alone for the whole week.”

  “That doesn’t mean he has to stay at the house. I mean, he could just stop by, if you really wanted someone to check up on me,” I complained.

  “That’s what I considered, but Devin convinced me otherwise. It is—”

  “You mean to tell me that Devin convinced you to have him stay at the house!” I was really upset by this point.

  “Well, he didn’t really ask me, if that’s what you’re hinting at. He was just surprised I would feel safe leaving you alone for a week.”

  “I am perfectly capable of being on my own.” This was ridiculous. I was nearly twenty-three years old.

  “I’m sure you are, but I think Devin’s right. It could be dangerous if I leave you alone. Who knows, I could come back from this trip only to find the house has burned down or you’ve been kidnapped! You don’t know what might happen,” he said dramatically, but we both knew what he wasn’t saying. They were worried that I’d do something to hurt myself. I flushed with anger and embarrassment.

  The second phone line began to flash, saving me from having to answer. “We’ll talk about this later. I have another call.” I switched over to the other line. “Good afternoon, McCormick, Byron and Rauth.”

  “Connect me with Pat.”

  “One moment.” After transferring the call, I turned to Megan. “Was this really Mitch’s idea?”

  “Yes. I mean Devin just scared him, and you know how protective Mitch can be. You also know he won't have fun on this trip if he’s worried about you. I know it's not ideal for you, but please, please, please do this for me,” she begged.

  I sighed. “Oh, all right.” I could never say no to Megan. She was such a sweetheart. I also really was hoping Mitch would use this trip to propose to her. I mean, get on with it already! I have a bet to win! “I’m only doing this for you, though.”

  “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You won’t regret this!” She stood up to leave just as my private line rang.

  Yes, I have a private line, but it’s not like I get a lot of calls.

  “Hello, this is Christy,” I answered brightly. I always try and sound pleasant on the phone. You never know who might be calling. Only, I don’t always keep my friendly façade af
ter answering. Such was the case with this call.

  “CJ!”

  I wanted to slam the phone down but I took the civil approach. “What do you want, Devin?” I said bitingly.

  “You’re talking to me.” He sounded happy. “That’s a good sign.”

  “You called me, remember?”

  “Well, at least you didn’t hang up when you realized it was me.”

  “Would you like me to?” I have to admit though, I wasn’t as angry with him as I would have liked. I can never stay mad at Devin for too long, especially after what he did for me, no matter how annoying he could be. It’s probably just the fact that he saved my life. Yeah, that’s it. It doesn’t mean I can’t still loathe his very existence, because I can.

  “I’m sorry.” He genuinely sounded apologetic. “I never thought Mitch would—okay, that’s a lie—I did know he wouldn’t want you by yourself, but I never dreamed he would ask me to stay at the house. I thought he would ask someone else.”

  “So you weren’t hoping to stay at the house?” I questioned him seriously.

  He chuckled. “Of course not, CJ.”

  “Okay.” But then I remembered something he’d said. “Wait, did you say you knew Mitch wouldn’t want to leave me alone at the house?”

  There was a pause. “Yes,” he answered carefully.

  “Then why did you even mention it to him?” I was confused.

  “Well, I only did it because I wanted to make sure you were safe. I mean, you would have been by yourself for the whole week. Like I said, I never dreamed Mitch would ask me to stay with you.”

  I sighed. He was just trying to look after my wellbeing, at least that’s what I kept telling myself. “Who else would he have asked? It’s not like I know a whole bunch of people.”

  “I’m sorry, CJ. I just wasn’t thinking.”

  “You could’ve just told me. I don’t think I would have minded if you stopped by every so often. Well, okay, that’s a lie.”

  Devin chuckled. “Everything I do bothers you, CJ.”

  “Yeah, that’s true.” I laughed.