“Morning,” both my mom and I respond. Emily goes for her normal granola and yogurt. I’ve noticed that she can be a creature of habit. Almost obsessive at times when it comes to her routine. “You’re in a super extra good mood today.” Mom refills my freshly squeezed orange juice.

“Asher is coming home today.” I glance up from my book. I’ve never met my new stepbrother. There are pictures throughout the house and even at our school of him. You’d think he graduated a few years ago and not five. Wow, why do I know the exact number?

“It’s been a while since you’ve seen him, hasn’t it?” I don’t miss how my mom motions to tuck her hair behind her ear where it already is. She does that when she’s on edge about something.

“Forever. He never comes back to the States anymore.” She rolls her eyes. Emily mentions her brother often. They sound as if they were close at one point until he’d gone over to Asia to work at some new start-up company I guess they are investing in. I think he’s being groomed to take over for his father.

“You’ve only met him once, right?” Emily takes a bite of her yogurt, standing at the kitchen island.

“Yes, Tomas took me to meet him on one of his quick work trips.” I remember. They’d had a long weekend away together. Mom hadn’t said much about it. That probably should have been a clue. Mom and I are close, and we openly talk about most things. It’s only been the two of us for a long time. She actually hadn’t said anything about Asher when she got back, and now she’s doing the hair tuck thing. This can’t be good. There must be a reason she’s not telling me about him.

“I have a game after school, but I’ll come straight home when it’s over so I’m here for dinner.” Emily polishes off the rest of her yogurt before she drops the bowl into the sink. “See you at school.” She gives me a wave before she bounces out of the kitchen.

“You don’t like him.” I close my book and put it into my bag. I need to get going as well. I’ll ride to school with Emily when she doesn’t have after-school activities, but when she does, I’m given a driver. It’s weird. To me it is, at least. To Tomas it’s normal because there is always a driver on staff, so why would it be strange for anyone to use one? It’s just not a lifestyle I’m accustomed to, and I almost think it’s a waste.