“You weren’t supposed to think about how we got here,” I hissed at him.
“That’s the day I learned about the dark side of big business,” the Kid said solemnly. “That they could sell you lies and keep your hard-earned five dollars.”
“My hard-earned five dollars,” Otter said.
“Um, wow. Way to make it all about you, Otter. Thanks. Like finding out I’d ordered nothing but brine shrimp and that they wouldn’t wear fancy little suits and dresses and make dinners in a brightly colored castle wasn’t devastating enough.”
“Hey! That’s not—”
“Anyway, I had a reason for being here, but Otter—as usual—is attempting to distract us from the matters at hand.”
“That’s rude,” I told Otter, in case he didn’t know.
Otter looked grumpy at that. It didn’t help his case, whatever it was. “See if I ever give you five dollars again.”
“Oh man,” the Kid said, smacking his head. “I forgot to tell you guys. I had to have Corey spot me lunch yesterday because I forgot my wallet at home. All I have is my card too. Do you have any cash I can give him? I feel bad.”
“Sure,” Otter said, reaching for his wallet. “How much was it?”
“Five bucks.”
Otter started digging through the bills. Then, “You son of a bitch.”
“Dammit.”
“Should have waited a few more minutes,” I said. “Would have worked. He’s forty now. And you know they say the mind is the first thing to go.”
The Kid squinted at me. “Like you have any room to talk.”
“Worst meeting ever,” I muttered.
“We’ve only been here for eight minutes, and I already don’t like either of you,” Otter said. “That has to be a new record.”
Ty rolled his eyes. “Give it a bit. You guys will be back to embarrassing me with your disgusting displays of affection in no time. The elderly should not get caught making out in the pantry.”
“I was trying to make the grocery list,” I said. “Don’t you blame that one on me.”
Otter shrugged. “And you can’t blame me either. You know how I get when he makes lists.”
I grinned at him. “I’m so glad I married you.”
“Yeah,” Otter said, reaching under the table and squeezing my knee. “Me too.”
“See!” the Kid exclaimed. “You’re doing it again! That wasn’t even a minute. This is terrible. Everything about this is terrible.”
“Wanna go make out in the pantry?” Otter asked me.
“Yes. Yes, please. All of that.”
“Ugh,” the Kid said. “No one should ever have to see their older brother’s horny face. You’re going to make me more damaged than I already am.”
And the good mood went right out the window.
The Kid winced. “Shit. I didn’t mean it that way. Both of you need to stop looking at me like that.”
“You’re not damaged,” I said sternly.
“And you know we don’t like hearing that come from you,” Otter said. “You’ve come a long way in a short amount of time. It’s something to be proud of, Kid.”