Her teeth clenched. “Me? You’re the one talking about how I’m...”

“Fucking Nate?” I asked.

She punched me in the arm and I winced.

“That’s none of your business.”

“But you are,” I took a step back near the door. “Why else would he be with you? You’re an easy–”

I ducked the thrown wooden spoon and stepped out of the room while the woman made a meal for the men... as was proper.

***

My steps were slow as I walked down the hallway to my room. I knew when to stop teasing, but what I said earlier was true. Nate was an asshole, but he had money. Even in a world with alien technology that still meant something. He dated her because she put out. That’s how she got her jewelry. I suppose she could use the box for duplicates, but Pa would get angry if she used it.

He’d have a fit if he knew his daughter wasn’t pure.

She looked like a whore, but decorated with money. If she could well… grab him permanently, we’d be set. Normally I’d follow the Bro code and pick him over Becky, but Nate was just... so Nate. Tall, thick muscles, and always driving that red, hover Corvette down the dusty country road.

Privileged asshole.

I wasn’t a fan of a girl trapping a guy, but a married Becky could make my life easier.

I frowned at the thought of being dependent on her.

No, it wouldn’t be that... but since I’m her brother, I’d be around the business movers and shakers. Some of that money would land on me. Of course, he’d have to marry her. Ain’t no way he’d settle without–”

A familiar, muffled cough yanked me out of my daydream. I turned my head toward my parent’s room and the closed wooden door with chipped paint. Although I suppose now, it was just Pa’s room. His raspy voice drew out.

“I need more time. Please. You got to give me that at least.”

My eyebrows rose as I gently leaned an ear against the door. The voice was quiet and raspy, but I got the tail end. “Nobody’s buying cattle. Yeah, but we can work out something...” It was several more seconds before he continued. As usual he coughed more. “You can’t take it. You know there’s no way I can come up with...” There was more conversation, but I couldn’t hear no matter how hard I pressed against the door.

I stepped away quickly from the door in case he was near. Without thinking, I found myself back in the kitchen. Becky raised a wooden spoon and then lowered it. Her face softened as she saw me. “What happened?”

It took less than a minute to repeat what I heard and my speculation.

“Shit. The farm? It’s been in our family forever. It wouldn’t be so bad if he used that box,” she said.

“He’s got pride.”

“Fool’s pride, you mean.”

I shook my head. “You don’t understand. You can’t be a man and be dependent. ‘Sides that wouldn’t make a dent.”