Becky strolled into the kitchen and arched her right eyebrow. “Shouldn’t you be looking for a job?”

It was an old argument, but one she never tired of starting. Thankfully she picked that one as opposed to the other one. There were too few jobs around here. Working the coal mines and farming. Both took a hit after the Volardi arrived. City folk were okay with it.

Coal messed up the sky and water. I suppose it did, but people’s livelihoods depended on working the mines. The bank’s upcoming foreclosure was proof of that. Thanks to the Volardi we had food and clean energy. All controlled by them. They didn’t make you take it, but most did. Since people weren’t paying much for food and power anymore, other things got more expensive. Rent especially. The Volardi didn’t let Humans – except those in the program – on their planets. Hence land was the new major currency. My Pa’s farm was valuable or would be years down the line. We were too poor and owed too much to play the long game. The bank wasn’t short on funds.

“You could find a job if you wanted,” she said.

“And you could get yourself hitched.”

“I’m not getting married because my lazy brother won’t find work.” She leaned in and jerked a thumb behind her. “It would make things easier on Pa. Besides, you’re an adult. You shouldn’t even be at home.” Her voice lowered to a whisper. “’Sides, why stay in this town?” Her gaze darted to the doorway. “Wouldn’t… oh, San Francisco or one of those cities be for you.”

My tone lowered. “Not funny. You know I’m not like that.”

“No, I don’t. I don’t think you know either.”

I changed the subject. She wasn’t right. I just hated having to defend myself about it all the time. “And you? You got less than a year. What are you going to do?”

She folded her arms. “None of your business, don’t you think?”

“Nate?” I offered.

She repeated her earlier statement. “Like I said, it ain’t your business.”

“If you married him, it would solve everything. You think his Pa would let you lose our farm?”

Her nose flared. “It’s not and won’t be my farm. ‘sides, I’m not getting hitched and dying in this town. I wouldn’t do it for me, and I’m certainly not doing it so my idiot brother can coast in life. Besides, if you’re so hyped on one marrying someone...” She smiled and pointed up with one finger. “You’re kinda girly. They’d love you... literally, I’m guessing.”

My lips pursed into a tight frown while my heartbeat raced. “They aren’t looking for straight guys.”

“Yeah, I know.”

Okay, I walked into that one.

She held out her hands against her stomach. “Just imagine... my older brother with a big belly.” Her eyebrows rose, and she laughed. “Not only a belly but you’d have a sort of vagina in your–”

Maybe I shouldn’t have let her get the better of me, but I slammed into Becky just the same. Back we went until her ass hit the counter. Normally I wouldn’t hit a girl but...