The Next Door Boys by Jolene B. Perry Page A

it.”
    “Still, it seems like cheating.” I took another bite.
    He shrugged. “I know you must love it. More than half of what you brought from home has to do with sewing.” Brian looked over at Jaron, and Jaron smiled at me. “And I bet you read your Art History text just for fun.” He polished off his third slice. “There's no substitute for doing what you love.”
    Older people could be so irritating. I could feel something telling me that there was a possibility he could be right, but I wasn't ready to give up my major. Not yet.
    “And that must be why you're still tending bar,” I half-teased.
    Jaron laughed, and Brian shook his head. At least he knew I was only kidding.
    “I'm going to get dessert,” Jaron stood up and walked to the kitchen.
    “Wow, you guys did dessert?” I asked.
    “Nope. Jaron walked past the donut store just before closing, you know how everything's cheap just before they flip the sign.”
    I laughed.
    We sat silent for a minute. I started to say something and almost stopped.
    “Spit it out, Leigh.” Brian pulled up a corner of his mouth.
    “Isn't it hard?” I asked. “Working in a bar all night? I mean, wouldn't you be tempted all the time?” I was still baffled by his job. I understood little work and more money, but it had to be hard, especially for someone who didn't always live the way he did.
    “Our bishop has asked me that a few times.” He nodded. “Sometimes it's hard, and other times it just strengthens my testimony. I see how really stupid people are when they've been drinking. I see tobacco-stained teeth. They smell bad, and after a while a lot of them act badly too. Once in a while I'm filling up a nice cold beer and I'm tempted to fill one up for myself, but I think about what I've gained over the past year, and I wouldn't give that up for anything.”
    I didn't know what to say. His answer was more profound than I expected. I found myself studying his face more than I had before. Brian had such a warm quality around him and even though he was turning into another brother next door, he was a good-looking man. It was hard not to notice in such close proximity.
    “Dessert!” Jaron smiled as he rejoined us on the floor.
    I jumped at the intrusion. “Orange one's mine!” I grabbed the only one with orange frosting and took a bite before anyone else could claim it.

twelve
     
    “For you, Leigh!” I heard Megan call. “Your brother's here!”
    I hadn't even heard a knock. I came out of my room in my pajamas to see Jaron standing just inside the door.
    “Here are the keys to my car.” He held out his hand.
    I stopped and raised an eyebrow.
    “Dad finally tracked down Brian's ex-wife. Brian and I are driving to Vegas and back tomorrow to pick up his son, Nathan.”
    “In one day?” It sounded exhausting.
    “Well, neither of us can really afford to miss any more classes than that.”
    “Well, I promise to treat her well.” I dangled the keys in the air. “Thanks.”
    “No problem.” Jaron turned to walk out.
    “How long will Nathan be here?” How would Brian handle school and work with a little kid around?
    “A week.” Jaron pulled open the door. “Brian will drop him off next Sunday.”
    “Okay. Good night.”
    “Night, Leigh.” He closed the door behind him.
    I had Jaron's car. It seemed as if I should drive around for a while just because I could.

     
    Monday night was my last chance to get my math homework finished. I'd been at the table for hours, sorting through problems and getting nowhere. I stood up to stretch when I realized how long I'd been still. I knew it must be cold outside, but the fresh air sounded nice. I pulled on my coat and stepped outside. It was dark, but I could still see my breath in the light of the back porch.
    I saw movement on the Rileys’ porch. “Brian?” I asked. There were only a few choices of who it could be.
    “Yeah.” His voice sounded rough.
    I walked over and sat down across from him. “You okay?”