Big Brother
Big Brother
“Presley!” A man’s voice called her from the lobby of the hotel as they were leaving to go walk down to the beach and her head snapped sideways in disbelief..
“Odin?”
“Holy s**t, you two are together!” Her older brother and nemesis unlike no other, stormed towards her and Cruz with a furious expression on his face. “She’s my kid sister, Cruz!”
“I called you a few weeks back and you said she was nothing to you, not a sister and you would never acknowledge her as such” Cruz boldly called him out.
“Yeah, because I didn’t want to get pulled into the blame for her s**t. She’s crazy.“”
“Insult her again and see what happens,” Cruz’s eyes were more green than brown as anger filled them.
“Neat,” Presley looked up at him. “You really do go all hulk smash when you’re mad. Your hazel eyes look
more green than the mix.”
“You shouldn’t be looking into his eyes, Presley. He’s known you since you were an infant.”
“What do you care, Odin?” She asked folding her arms over her chest.
“I don’t want my best friend f*****g my kid sister.”
“Bit late for that. Cruz snorted. “Tell him what color my eyes are when I come, Presley.”
“Brown with flecks of green,” she didn’t skip a beat. “Why did you tell everyone my mother beat you?” The question was on her mind and now he was here, she was asking it.
He appeared startled and then he looked at Cruz, “what the hell, man?”
“I told her the reason Anderson and I took the fall for you was because Scarlett couldn’t beat us like she did
you,”
“Mom is heartbroken Odin. She has never laid a hand on you. You know who has and who will? Dad. I told him. I called them the other night and told them. Mom was sobbing. Dad though, he mentioned talking to you but i don’t think he really wants to chat.”
*f**k, Presley, why would you tell them?” Odin ruffled his hair. “Dad’s going to f*****g kill me,” he muttered looking around frantically.
“Why would you lie to us Odin? You showed us bruises! More than once. Where did they come from?”
He shrugged, “I got beat up all the time when you and Anderson weren’t around. I wasn’t the popular kid like Anderson who could make friends with anyone and you everyone wanted to cozy up to because you’ve got more money than anyone else. I was your mouthy tagalong and more than once the guys from the wrestling team or the rugby team would hold me down to get me back for the s**t I said.”
“Why didn’t you say something,” Cruz stared at him. “Why lie and say it was Scarlett?”
“You and Anderson felt bad for me and you went along with whatever I wanted. I liked the attention.” He muttered, “I cant believe you told Dad, though Presley. He’s going to f***** kill me.”
“Yeah, I hope he does.”
C
Big Brother
“Was any of our friendship growing up real, Odin or were you like the rest of them using me for my bank
account?”
“No! Man, no. You’re my best friend, my brother, the only person who ever understood me.”
“I don’t understand you. You’re a lying coward who blamed a sweet woman for child abuse, convinced us to torture your sister and manipulated us like we were toys for your amusement. Damn it, Odin, what the hell is wrong with you?”
“I think the more important question right now is why is he here?”
“I need you to come home so I can get paid.”
“Not happening. I’m on vacation. We,” she waved between them, “are on vacation and we’re enjoying
ourselves.”
“This isn’t real,” Odin waved his hand between them. “Cruz, is this because I lied about Scarlett or is it
because of last summer? Man I apologized,”
This,” he put his arm around Presley and hugged her to his side, is because I really like her. She has fire and wit and damned if she doesn’t get my weird style of humor. She gets me laughing. She doesn’t nag at me when I need to work. She’s also incredible in the sack.”
She elbowed him in the ribs, “you can’t say that to my brother. It’s weird.”
“It’s truth. Gospel truth. I’d love to get you on your knees praying to me right now,” his eyes were wicked and
bright.”
“Quit it. We’re going to the beach.”
“I’m coming with you.”
“No, Odin, you’re not.” Cruz denied him. “You’re not coming to the beach with us. I don’t know why you’re here.
“I need my trust fund and that b***h,” he caught himself as he tried again to be anything but himself, “my sister holds the key to it. I can’t get at it without her.”
“And I have three more weeks of vacation, Odin. I’m not going back to Vancouver until my vacation is done.”
I
“I’m going to stay on this vacation with you then until you get me my money. We’ll have brunch here.”
“Except Mom and Dad need to be part of the meal, dummy.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m not spending vacation with you.”
Forgetting Cruz was there, he stepped closer to her, his eyes narrowed and angry, “I need my money, Presley and you’re going to get it for me.”
Cruz moved to stand between them and towered over Odin, “you’re going to back the f**k up right now, Odin or thirty years of friendship is out the window and I’ll remind you which of us is the stronger man of the two
of us”
“This doesn’t concern you. She’s holding back my access to my money.”
“Your grandfather tied you to a clause which is stupid because he was hoping it would turn you into a decent human being. Instead, you’re still the sad, whiny little man who blames women for their problems. I think at brunch the last time, Presley was right on the money calling you a misogynist. You’re an embarrassment to
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Big Brother
mankind. She didn’t do anything to you by being born. You’re simply jealous she’s a better human being than
you are.”
“f**k you, Hawley.” Odin shoved his chest. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I do. You’re so wrapped up in the fact you didn’t get to live in the big mansion and she did because your mother demanded full custody of you and refused anything more than what her prenup said that you’ve been taking it out on Scarlett and Presley for years. They didn’t do anything wrong. Your mother didn’t do anything wrong. You on the other hand, have yet to do anything right. You need to f**k right off and get out of our faces before my security team removes you.” He took Presley by the shoulders and walked her around Odin, come on Ladybird, we’re done with this shit.”
“You can’t walk away!” Odin screamed,
“Pretty sure it’s exactly what we’re doing.” Cruz called over his shoulder.
“Anderson is going to be pissed you’re picking hoes before bros.”
Cruz stopped walking, turned around and lifted Odin clear off the floor by the scruff of his neck, “she is your sister, not a hoe, you pathetic miserable sack of st. Now, I didn’t want to say anything, but you stink of booze. I know you were plastered on the plane here. You were probably drinking in the f*****g car coming here. You need to sober the f**k up, sort your life out and stop picking on my girl or we’re going to have trouble and I promise you,” he jerked Odin like a ragdoll in the hair, his head bobbing in fear, “I will make your life a living hell and it will have nothing on what we did to her as kids. Now f**k off,” he threw him backwards, Odin landing on his ass on the hard tiled floor.
Cruz straightened his shirt, “come on Ladybird. Let’s go for a swim and wash the stench of this off us.” Presley took his hand and felt the heat coming off it. Once they were outside and away from the small crowd which all seemed to gravitate to them once Cruz grabbed Odin, she whispered, “are you going to be okay?” I’m fine, babe.” He kissed the top of her head. “It just pissed me off for him to admit so easily how much everyone hated him when we were kids and so he used it to make me and Anderson his tools. He used us. Then to turn around and call you a hoe. f**k him.”
“I know you’re angry but can we look at this objectively for a minute?”
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“Sure.”
“Why is he here and how did he find out where I am? If he’s so strapped for cash, how did he get the plane ticket from Vancouver to France and get his room here?”
Cruz sighed and pulled his phone out, moving them to sit at a small table near the edge of the patio. He dialed out.
“f**k man, it’s the crack of dawn, is it even dawn?” Anderson’s voice was sleepy and tired. “It’s only one. I’ve been sleeping an hour you miserable fuck.”
“Odin is here in Nice. Came at Presley demanding money. He smells like he was up close and personal with a gin bottle the entire flight and ride here. I’m ready to rip his throat out of his neck. Bastard told me all those bruises on his back he used to show us, were from the guys on the team beating him for shooting his mouth off.”
“He did used to shoot his mouth off all the time when we were in middle and high school, Cruz. How many times did we tell him back then to stop antagonizing the guys?”
Big Brother
“They would hold him down and beat him.”
“Or it’s another lie.” Presley threw out.
“Morning Presley.”
“Hi Anderson. You’re in trouble you know, Halima’s big brother is looking for you.”
“I know. I’m laying low. Think on it though. I’m going to let her brother beat me for being rude to her and it’s going to show her I’m dedicated to giving her a good life and I’ll do anything for her.”
“You’re an idiot.”
“It was love at first sight, again. I mean she was a gangly geeky teenager growing up but she’s gorgeous now and the way she tells me off is sexy as f**k. I’m going to marry her.”
“She’s engaged since childhood to some man from her mother’s home town.” Presley shot his dreams down. “I’ll fix it.” Anderson said with arrogance. “Anyway, back to Odin, what the f**k is with him?”
“I don’t know Anderson. He’s here spouting at her about money. It’s reeking of desperation.”
“Do you think he owes someone money?”
“Maybe he’s racked up some debt and he’s on a monthly payment program.” Presley suggested.
“It’s possible.” Anderson sighed. “I’ll ask Sloane to help me out. We’ll do a deep dive into Odin and his activities over the last year. Question for you though.”
“Go for it.”
“Can it wait until morning?”
“Yes, but can you make it a priority in the morning?”
“Done. Bye.” Anderson hung up without further fanfare.
Cruz looked at Presley, “what do you say, Ladybird. Want to go play in the sea with me? I feel the need to cool
off.”
“I think it’s a great idea.” She kissed his cheek. “Also my lady bits are still hurting.”
“Can’t have that” he laughed and grabbed the bag. “Let’s go have a great day and forget some of t… madness for a while.”
