Fighting Control (Bay State Series Book 3) by Tiffany Hachey Page A

nervous and it reminds me that I have a few questions for her. They'll have to wait until tonight though. One, I'm running a little late and two, well I would rather have this conversation in person.
    “I told Julian that I was helping you study tonight. I kind of don't want to lie to him, even though we didn't technically have plans, at least I'm trying to make some.” I join in with her laughter when she starts to cackle on the other end of the phone.
    “That's rich girl. Even for you. So why don't you want to see him tonight? Does he have a small dick? Suck in the sack? Have a vagina?” She's still snorting with laughter. But mine dies out at her questions.
    “Umm, no. None of the above. Extreme opposite of all those things.” Her high pitch screech leaves a ringing in my ear.
    “I want to hear all about it. Of course I need your help studying, if that's what you want to call it.” This time when she laughs it sounds forced and it brings me back to my suspicion that maybe she's hiding something from me. She's been acting strange since I've come back home and I plan on getting it out of her one way or another.
    “Okay, I'll take a cab from work to your place, since parking is shit there and we can grab some dinner, maybe a movie. We'll figure it out later.  I gotta run so I'm not late for work. Love you, see ya later.”
    “Love you too, see you tonight.”
    I hit end on my phone and put it into my clutch along with some lip gloss, my can of mace, debit card and license. Grabbing my keys from my dresser by the door, I step out of my room and close the door behind me. Stopping in the bathroom briefly, I apply some eyeliner, a light layer of blush and run the brush through my hair. Choosing to keep it down today, I slide the elastic on my wrist just in case it gets unbearable resting on my neck. It's supposed to be close to triple digits today. I'll be fine this morning and later this evening but if I leave the office for lunch I may want to put it up.
    I stop in the kitchen where my parents are still sitting in the same position they were a half an hour ago. I bend to give them a kiss in turn and tell them I love them before heading for the door where Frank is leaning up against it, arms wrapped around his chest and a tight scowl on his face.
    “Our conversation isn't over,” he tells me when I stand impatiently in a stare down with him as I wait for him to move out of my way.
    I look away from him and study the outdated pattern of the wallpaper that my parents refuse to change. They say it gives the house character. I say it's tacky as hell. I know one thing for sure; when I get my own place I'll be going for modern sophistication, the exact opposite of the home I grew up in and a spitting image of Julian's house. Shaking the image of it being our house from my mind, I look back to my brother and raise a single eyebrow in defiance.
    “Either get out of my way or I'll go to one of the other two exits out of this house, your choice. And as far as that conversation is concerned, it's closed. I will not let you entertain that idea and puts doubts in my mind. I'm a big girl and can take care of myself. Thank you very much. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get to work.”
    Moving to the side and extending his arm in a sweeping gesture, he opens the door for me and leans in, giving me a kiss on the cheek. “I love you little sis, I just want what's best for you.”
    “I love you too and I appreciate it, really I do. I'll talk to you later tonight. I'm helping Ashley study after work.” I give him a quick hug and turn to cross the porch, walk down the stairs and quickly climb in my car.
    The ride to work is gridlock as usual and I find myself wondering for the hundredth time why I don't take everyone's advice since I've been home to take the subway. I love the scenery of the big city, the feel of my hands on the steering wheel and the comfort of solitude with my thoughts. Being around countless strangers every day