Brothers and Wives by Cydney Rax Page B

I was welcome to stop by the Meadowses’ house. I’d come by, relax on the couch when Anya was here so we could discuss babysitting arrangements whenever I needed help.
    But when Brax turned one, Anya convinced Neil that I shouldn’t be the one to drop Brax off. I got carried away one day and came by their house dressed like a porn star. Anya pitched a fit and didn’t want me around anymore. At first we used Riley Dobson, the next-door neighbor, as the go-between for me and Neil. She was safe, supportive, the ultimate peacemaker. But when her schedule changed and she couldn’t drive Brax to my place, we decided that my girlfriend Summer Holiday would take over. That plan workedat first for an entire year. But earlier this spring, Summer got a new man named Andre, no one else was available to step in, and lately I’ve been the one who finds herself back at the Meadowses’ house. And now that Scottie is living with his brother, the pressure has tripled.
    According to what Scottie told me, Neil reluctantly agreed to let his brother live with them last week. Scottie argued that it was better for everyone if he gives Neil money than to fork over four hundred dollars a week to a hotel.
    Anya was all for the arrangement. “I can use that money,” she told Neil. And that settled it.
    “Well,” I say to the guys, “since I’m going be here for a little while even though I hadn’t planned on it, can some nice gentleman bring me something to drink?”
    Scottie trudges to the large, open kitchen, which is visible from the den. Neil is right on his heels. Scottie opens the refrigerator and scans the contents. He reaches for a can of ginger ale. Neil slaps the can from Scottie’s hand. It crashes to the floor and rolls until it hits a baseboard, then comes to a stop.
    “She has diabetes and can’t drink that, dummy. She needs to drink something …” Exasperated, Neil stops talking and pulls out a can of Coke Zero and stares knowingly at Scottie.
    “Oh, I get it. I’m taking notes, my brother.” Scottie tries to snatch the soda from Neil’s hand, but he chuckles and waves him off.
    “If you gonna take notes, then take ’em.”
    They return to the den. Neil holds my soda and stands in front of me, still quarreling with Scottie like a boy.
    I sit back amazed and watch these two men in action.
    Here you have Neil. He’s dressed in a white unbuttoned dress shirt with no tie. He’s just gotten off work from his jobas a finance manager at the Texas Medical Center. I love how he’s wearing a ribbed wife beater tank top. Mmmm … I can remember the times I’d be in bed with Neil, lying on that man’s chest. He’d hold me in his arms and we’d fall asleep with my head on his shoulder. It rarely happened, but the few times it did made me wish I could experience lying next to him every night. Of course, Anya got that privilege even though she rarely took advantage of it—they slept in separate rooms. What a waste!
    Neil looks steadily in my eyes and hands me the drink.
    “Thanks, Neil. That’s so nice of you.”
    “Hey, let me pop it open for you, Mariah.”
    “What you call her?”
    “She’s beautiful, fun to be around, a little spitfire, so that’s my nickname for her.”
    “That sounds so stupid.”
    “Neil.” I giggle. “That’s not nice.”
    “And?”
    Scottie sits next to me on the love seat.
    “There’s plenty of room on that sofa over there, boy.”
    “Boy?”
    “You two are so adorable. Is this how you acted when you were younger?”
    “Scottie has always acted like a fool!”
    “Oh, really, Neil?”
    Scottie ignores Neil’s comments and opens my drink, then places the can against my mouth.
    “This is so disgusting. I can’t take it anymore.”
    “Okay,” Scottie sings. “Byeeee.”
    Neil grunts, then abruptly turns and leaves.
    “You are sooo naughty, Scottie. Jeez, that rhymes doesn’t it?”
    Scottie tilts the soda can to my mouth again even though I’ve just taken a sip. He