Chapter 2

Damn,James.You’re already picking out curtains with the boy and you don’tknow if you have the job or not.I need to stop,for sure,but it’s been a while since I’ve seen a brother so fly.

Watching me closely,Deon asks,“You go to State?”

“Yeah.”I dare to look up.Joe has retreated back into the kitchen and now leans over the top of the swinging doors,watching me with that stupid grin onhis face,like I’m the funniest thing he’s seen in ages.“I’m a psych major.”

“Really?”Deon raises his eyebrows like he’s impressed.“That’s cool.”

I shrug.I don’t know if that’s what he’s thinking or if he’s just trying to be nice,but I catch his eye and smile disarmingly.“I’m James.What’s Deon stand for?”

“Don’t laugh.Romeo,”he says,shaking my hand.

My fingers linger in his palm a second too long,I know,but I can’t help it.“I’m not laughing.I like that.”

From behind him,Joe mutters,“I knew it.”