“Actually, tell him he can come up,” I say into the phone as I get out of bed and head to the bathroom to brush my teeth.
“What?!” Evan hisses at me as he bolts out of bed.
“What’s it gonna be boss? Let him up, or no?” The security guy chuckles.
“Yes, please. Maybe one of you escort him up. Just to be safe,” I yell from the bathroom.
Evan looks at me as if I’ve grown a second head.
“Hold on a sec. Tell him I’m taking a shit. I’ll call you right back,” Evans says into the phone while staring at me.
I’m moving quickly through the closet. Pulling a sweater and leggings off of a shelf.
“Care to let me in on what you’re doing,” Evan says.
“Not living in fear. You should try it sometime, babe,” I tease.
“You think now is the time to tell Antonio? After you’ve spent the night?” Evan pulls at his hair.
I finish getting dressed, then place my hands on my hips. “Evan, last night you told me there’s a psychopathic drug lord trying to keep us apart. I’ve got bigger fish to fry than worrying about my older brother’s reaction to me dating his best friend. Call back now. Let him up. Put on a shirt.”
He stares at me blankly.
“¡Ahora!” I clap repeatedly.
“Si señorita,” Evan mumbles to himself. “Nice knowing ya. Just remember I want to be cremated, not buried.” He rolls his eyes as he calls security to let Antonio up.
I make my way to the kitchen and start a pot of coffee.
Evan comes up behind me, dressed in a black sweater and dark jeans. “So what’s the game plan? How are we breaking it to him? Do you want me to start, or do you start?” he says while wringing his hands together.
I start laughing. “Amelia, why are you laughing for fucks sake, your brother is on his way up here right now!” he says, panicked.
“I’ve just never heard you ramble before. It’s quite adorable.” I stand on my tip toes and place a soft kiss on his lips. “I got this baby, don’t worry.”
We hear a knock on the door.
Evan groans. “What does that mean, Amelia?”
I walk to the front door with Evan hot on my heels. Then he takes a giant step back, as if that will help the situation.
I swing the front door open and smile widely. “Good morning big bro. Want some coffee?” Antonio stares at me then over to Evan. Antonio is still in his officer uniform. He probably just got off from working the graveyard shift.
Antonio’s mouth drops, but I cut in before his brain catches up to what his eyes see.
“Antonio, you see those two big dudes behind you?” Antonio looks back at them and then back at me, his jaw slightly slacked. “They’re highly trained security officers. I need you to remember that information for what I say next.”
Antonio shakes his head in an attempt to process what he just walked into. “What the hell are you doing here Amelia?”
“Evan and I are dating. Not only dating, but we’re in love. If you want to come in and talk about it like a grown man, I’ve made some coffee. If you want to throw a tantrum and start swinging at Evan, then I urge you to remember the two security guards standing behind you.” I nod behind him.
Antonio stares at Evan over my head. “What?!” he shouts.
I point my finger into Antonio’s chest. “Option one or option two, Tony?” I glare at him. I can feel his chest rising under my finger, so I push it down harder.
“Coffee,” he barks.
“Good choice. Go sit at the dining table and I’ll bring you a cup,” I say sweetly.
