I had plans to go out with Cassie a

I had plans to go out with Cassie and Layla tonight and I really didn’t want to invite my sister. My friends didn’t like her much either, and they had a hard time putting up with her. I couldn’t blame them. But I felt bad leaving her all alone tonight. She said she came to visit me this weekend and I was pretty much ditching her.
“Why are you all dressed up?” she asked when I came into the room.
I was wearing a plain black dress with silver heels. My handbag was the same color, shining from the rhinestones on it. “Just going out,” I said evasively.
“Oh…I thought we’d stay home and watch a movie.”
“Well, I already made these plans,” I said. “You did just drop in with no announcement.”
She sighed. “You’re right. Have a good night.” She opened the refrigerator and made a sad face.
I sighed to myself, knowing I was going to regret this. “Do you want to come?”
She closed the refrigerator and smiled. “I’ll get dressed.” She walked into the bedroom and took half an hour to get ready.
“Hurry up!”
She came out wearing a very short pink dress. Her goodies were practically popping out.
“Are you going to be able to sit down…?”
“I’m fine,” she said, checking her hair in the mirror. “Let’s go.”
I eyed her again before we left. “The city isn’t like Connecticut.”
She rolled her eyes. “Just shut up and let’s go.”
“Okay.”
We left and walked to the bar and grill where I was meeting my friends. When I walked inside, Cassie stood up and waved. But then her smile disappeared when she saw Beatriz. Cassie leaned down and whispered to Layla. Her smile disappeared as well.
When we reached the table, both of my friends looked like the night had been ruined. “I’m sorry. She just dropped in on me.” When I looked at Layla, I realized Kyle was sitting beside her. His arm was wrapped around her shoulders protectively.
“Why are you bringing her here?” Cassie. “There are people here.”
I rolled my eyes. “She cornered me.”
Layla sighed. “If she weren’t your sister, I’d kick her ass.”
“And I’d help,” Cassie said.
“Be quiet,” I said. “She’s coming.”
“Hello again.”
I turned at the sound of the voice. It was Scott, Kyle’s brother. I met him once when we were moving Layla’s stuff from her apartment. In light of the catastrophe, we hadn’t spoken, just acknowledged each other silently. Now that he was across the table, I had the opportunity to see the beautiful blue eyes that Kyle shared. They reminded me of the light blue ocean on a summer day. Flecks of white and gray were filtered inside the iris, making them flawed, but more perfect at the same time. His skin was fair, but dark enough to indicate he was outdoors a great deal of time. Just like Kyle, he had a large body. Through his t-shirt, I noticed the lines and grooves of his chest. When we were moving Layla’s bed, I caught a glimpse of the muscles in his arms and back. If he was a professional mover, I’d hire him in a heartbeat just so I could stare.
I shook my head, realizing I hadn’t responded for several seconds. “Hi,” I said quietly.
Cassie caught the look but didn’t say anything. I thought Scott was beautiful the second I saw him, but I never expressed that. Judging by his looks and exceptional physique, there was no way he’d ever be interested in me. I decided to abandon the attempt before it even began.
“My girls!” Beatriz said when she reached the table.
“My girls?” Cassie asked incredulously.
“Just go with it,” I whispered.
Beatriz hugged Cassie, and Cassie looked like she was trying not to vomit.
When Beatriz hugged Layla, Layla patted her on the back awkwardly, glaring at me.
“Nice dress,” Layla looked down at it. “But good luck sitting down.”
Beatriz laughed then ignored her. She turned to Kyle to hug him, which was totally inappropriate since she’d never met him, but Kyle extended his hand to shake hers instead. Layla looked pleased by his reaction.
“It’s lovely to meet you,” Kyle said “Janet is a very awesome lady. You must be as well.”
“Actually, I’m the cooler and hotter sister,” Beatriz said with a laugh.
I clenched my fists. I hated it when Beatriz pointed out my lesser beauty, especially in public. Beatriz had a smaller waist, smaller boobs, and thinner legs. Even though she had a baby, she kept a tight figure. I had more curves in obvious places.
Cassie placed her hand on my shoulder and comforted me, silently calming me down. “It’s just the weekend,” she reminded me.
I sighed then took a seat.
“And who are you?” Beatriz said when she reached Scott.
“Scott, Kyle’s brother.”
“Ooh,” she said. “I see the resemblance. You’re really hot.”
I covered my face, morbidly embarrassed.
Scott nodded but didn’t say anything. He turned toward everyone at the table. “What’s everyone ordering?”
“Wine,” I said immediately.
“More wine,” Cassie added.
Layla sighed. “I need some vodka.”
Kyle smiled at her but didn’t comment.
Beatriz took her seat next to Scott, leaning close to him. “So, what do you do for a living?” Her breasts were practically popping out of the pink dress. If Scott looked down, he’d be able to catch a full view. He never glanced.
“I’m a lawyer.”
“I like that,” she said with a smile. “You must be well off.”
My sister was driving me insane. She was clearly flirting with him.
Layla cleared her throat. “How’s your husband?”
Beatriz glanced at her. “He’s working.”
I noticed the odd response. She didn’t even answer the question.
Cassie turned to me. “So, have you talked to Ryan?”
Scott watched my face while I spoke.
“No,” I said. “I’ll see what he says next time I see him.”
Scott looked at me then ordered his drink when the waitress came over. We ordered a few appetizers to have while we drowned in alcohol. When I looked at my sister, she was still looking at Scott, ignoring the rest of us.
“A handsome guy like you must have a girlfriend,” she said.
He didn’t look at her. “Actually, I don’t.”
“Interesting…”
Cassie glared at her but kept her mouth shut. I knew the only reason my best friend was being so quiet was out of respect for me.
Layla turned to me. “Sorry I’ve been ditching our gym routine. I’ve been going with Kyle.”
“It’s fine,” I said with a smile. “I’d ditch you guys to go with my boyfriend if I had one.”
Scott turned to me, his eyes looking into my face.
Cassie nodded. “Me too. I want a man that does boxing or street fighting. That would be so hot.”
Layla shook her head. “I would hate it if Kyle did that. I’d be worried about him all the time.”
“You would probably beat up his opponents,” I said with a laugh.
Kyle brushed her hair with his lips. “That’s why I keep her around—protection.”
“Not many girls can survive a bar fight,” I said.
“My girl is a badass,” Kyle said. “That’s exactly how I like her.”
Beatriz was still chattering in Scott’s ear. I was starting to feel really bad for the guy. She was leaning close to him, practically touching her arm with his. Scott drank from his glass then stared at the TV, seeming unaffected by her forward approach. I’d never been more embarrassed of my sister. Maybe she was drunk, but there was no way she was that far gone. We just got there.
When the food arrived, we dug in. I grabbed a fried cheese stick from the plate.
“You shouldn’t be eating that,” Beatriz said as she looked at me. “If you want your body to look better, you have to eat better.”
Cassie gripped her glass, almost shattering it.
“Beatriz, just stop talking,” I snapped.
“Excuse me?” she asked, offended. “You’re the one that’s always trying different diets and crying about how much weight you’ve gained over the years.”
I glared at her, feeling my hands form fists. “That’s not true at all. I’ve never cried over my weight. And I’m not even fat! I’m just not a stick like you. So I’ll eat all the damn fried cheese sticks I want, all the pizza, the hot wings, and the beers. Now shut up before I lose my temper and slap you.”
Beatriz rolled her eyes then turned away.
Scott smiled at me, liking my response.
“If you didn’t say something, I was going to deck this bitch,” Cassie whispered.
“I was really close to letting you,” I said. I grabbed a cheese stick and put it in my mouth, glaring my sister while I did it.
She rolled her eyes again.
The conversation died down in light of the uncomfortable argument. Layla ate most of the appetizers, but she’s always been a garbage disposal. Cassie had two glasses of wine because she could handle more alcohol than we could, despite her petite size. Somehow, my sister got hammered.
Scott left and went to the bathroom when we were leaving. When I saw Beatriz follow him into the restroom, I felt my heart fall. I was slightly jealous that Scott wanted to hook up with my sister, but I pushed it to the back of my mind. I was more pissed that my sister would cheat on her husband. I didn’t have a high opinion of Beatriz, but that was even low for her, especially when they had a child together.
“Poor Scott,” Layla said.
“That’s an all time low for my brother,” Kyle said.
“I seriously hate her,” Cassie said. “I want to punch her in the face. I hate her.”
I sighed. “I hate her too.”
Layla gave me a sympathetic look. “Should we wait for them?”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m tired of taking care of my sister. If she wants to ruin her life, let her.”