“Something to drink?”

“I can get it when I’m thirsty.” I know she tries to make me feel at home when I’m here, but it feels strange to fall back into the kid role after living on my own for the past couple of years. I don’t have anyone offering me anything in my apartment, so I’m not used to being catered to anymore.

I take a seat on the other side of the island next to Marina. Her laptop is open, and a page from Beacon University is loaded. I ask, “What is it that you wanted to show me, kiddo?” I like to remind her she’ll always be my baby sister.

She rolls her eyes from the moniker. “I’m not a kiddo anymore, Harbor.”

I chuckle from the staunch stand she takes. “Noted.”

Tugging me by the shirtsleeve, she says, “Pay attention. Remember the girl from the gas station that you tried to pick up?”

“What girl from the gas station?” my mom asks, angling to look back at us.

“What gas station has chicks hot enough to pick up?” Noah asks, joining in the conversation. I look behind me as he crosses the family room and comes to stand behind Marina to look over her shoulder.

Fuck me.

I knew Marina being in the car that day would bite me in the ass.

The back door opens, and Loch steps inside to our silence. He stops, his eyes darting to each of us before then closes the door. “What’s going on?”

Noah replies, “Harbor picked up some chick at a gas station but won’t do us a solid by telling us where the hot girls pump their gas.”

Opening the fridge, my mom says, “Don’t call women chicks. It’s disrespectful.”

Loch’s eyes are still pivoting between us as if that will give him a clue as to what the hell we’re talking about.

I lower my head while shaking it. “This conversation is bordering on ridiculous.”

“I think we crossed that border,” Noah starts, drawing our attention to him. “When my brother decided to refuse his own blood the opportunity to meet hot chicks.” He glances at Mom. “I mean girls.”

Keeping her eyes on the large pot on the stovetop, she replies, “Better.” Loch or I would have gotten the “Mom glare.” Noah, the baby of the brothers, gets a gentle correction. Little fucker. Well, not so little anymore, but he’s still a fucker.

Loch keeps walking. “I don’t even want to be a part of this. I’m heading to Dad’s office.”

My mom looks up, and says, “Tell him dinner is in ten minutes.”

“Will do,” Loch replies, the words trailing around the corner with him.

Marina pounds the counter with a balled fist. Just one time, but it gets everyone’s attention. I chuckle because she’s feisty. It’s a good quality for her to have, especially considering all the assholes she’ll have to deal with in life. She says, “Can we get back to this, please?” Sitting up straighter, proud of her project, she looks at me. “I found her.”