Sister and caring brother fall for one another

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****

We didn’t go anywhere nice. I’d known that was pushing it even before I suggested it.

Kylie made herself somewhat presentable, which was about as good as I’d hoped for. She also vetoed any attempt at going farther than a couple blocks away, despite my best efforts to force a little exercise into her.

We ended up at the same diner that we nearly always did when the two of us went for food. It was close, casual, and tended to offer reasonable privacy if we didn’t hit a dinner rush.

I smiled at a splotch of green paint on Kylie’s shoulder that I hadn’t noticed until we sat down. Even the shirt she’d changed into for going out had seen some action.

“I’m doing fine, you know,” Kylie said as she sipped the coffee our waitress had poured her. “You don’t have to check on me just ’cause Mom gets worried.”

“You’re probably right,” I agreed. “But it gives me an excuse to see you. You don’t make it easy. If you had it your way, I’d probably see you once a year, at Christmas.”

“I’m not that bad.”

“No? When was the last time you called me? Wanted to hang out? Even just sent a text without being prompted?”

“Um…”

“Take your time.”

Kylie glared at me, then her eyes softened and dropped to the table, chagrined. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. I know you. I know how you are.”

“Better than anyone,” she concurred with a faint smile tugging her lips. “And I guess… maybe… I don’t mind if you want to drag me out somewhere every now and then.”

“Gee, that was almost affectionate.”

“Yeah, almost.” Kylie took another sip of her coffee. “What are you, twenty-six now? And you’re still that annoying little shit of a brother just below the surface. I can feel you wanting to do something stupid sometimes. Even now. Just to get a reaction out of me.”

“The reaction’s always been the best part,” I agreed easily. “You’d miss it if I didn’t do little annoying things occasionally. It’s part of my charm.”

“No, I don’t think it is. It’s just something I’ve learned to tolerate.”

“Coming from you, practically the same thing.”

Our food arrived, and I immediately stole a fry off Kylie’s plate, despite having a pile of my own. After our discussion about my annoyances, I couldn’t help myself. She just rolled her eyes, which was all I’d been hoping for anyway.

“How are things going with you?” Kylie asked as though she’d only just thought to inquire, which she probably had.

“Pretty good. Work’s fine. The house is fine. Everything’s fine, basically.”

“Uh huh.” Kylie’s nose wrinkled. “Can’t believe you’re still putting up with roommates. That used to drive me crazy.”

“Yes, but you’re a hermit,” I patiently explained. “Any people drive you crazy.”

“That’s not true. I just need them to not, like, be around me, is all.” Kylie waved her arms. “When I’m home, I mean. When I’m-”

“When you’ve retreated to your cave for solitude?”

“Goddammit, Ty. Now I’m a bear?”

“A hermit bear,” I confirmed. “A bear even more lonesome than the average bear. Off in your magical cave in the sky where-”

I ducked as a bit of french fry was pinged at my face with impressive accuracy. It caught me on the temple and glanced off. I grinned like the shit of a little brother I was.

“Ass,” Kylie said.

My grin broadened.

****

“Let’s get you some groceries,” I said on the walk back to Kylie’s place.

“Nah, not right now,” she said.

“You have literally no food. You should have some. Even magic hermit bears need food.”

“I want to get back to painting,” she whined.

“And you can. Right after shopping. It won’t be so bad. My car’s parked right outside your place. We’ll pick it up, throw some things in a cart, drive back, done. Easy peasy.”

“Ugh.”

“My treat?”

“You know money has nothing to do with it.”

“I do.” I shrugged. “But you never know. The offer sometimes works on you anyway.”

Kylie’s eyes narrowed. She was still silent as we approached my car. I unlocked the doors, then held the passenger side open for her. She stood indecisively for a moment.

“Fine,” she said. “But you’re not paying.”

“Excellent. I don’t have any money on me anyway.”

That was a lie, but it made Kylie roll her eyes again, and even got a baby smile out of her.

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