You’re getting me in trouble, princess.”

Zeth’s voice startles me, and I almost drop my bottle of fingernail polish. I haven’t talked to him since our job-hunting trip yesterday. After dinner, I went straight to my bedroom and didn’t come out for the rest of the night.

I called Cam, who’s been moody lately. He said his parents have been on his ass to get his shit together and be more responsible. I don’t blame them. He thinks hanging out with his friends and drinking all day like some frat boy are his biggest priorities.

“Pink, cute color,” Zeth says, gesturing to my toes before falling down on the opposite end of the couch and looking at me.

“Thanks … so why am I getting you into trouble? I think you do a good enough job of that yourself. You don’t need my help.”

“You’re talking me into shit I’d never do. I applied for a job at a country club, for fuck sakes.”

“Oh, I’m sorry for helping you make money.”

He laughs.

“You should be thanking me, not calling me a trouble maker.”

“That’s what I’m doing. I’m thanking you. I know they wouldn’t have hired me if it wasn’t for you.”

“You’re going to take the job, right? It would be stupid to turn it down.”

“I’m taking it. It’s honestly the last place I thought I’d ever work, but it pays the most. I need money, and I need it fast.”

“When do you start?”

“On Monday.”

“I can’t believe your dad made such a big deal about it. He’s usually cool and easygoing.”

He stretches out his arm and rests it along the back of the couch. “That’s because he likes you.”

“He likes you, too. You’re his son.”

“The fact that you share the same blood with someone doesn’t mean you have to love them … or even like them. Blood and family don’t mean shit to some people.”

“Well, that’s sad.” I feel bad for him. I can’t imagine not having a parent’s love, to constantly feel rejected.

“Life can be sad.”

I start adding my topcoat. “Any plans for tonight?”

He shrugs. “Not sure, I was thinking about going out.”

“Going out? You don’t know anyone around here.”

He chuckles, shaking his head. “It’s easy to make friends in bars on a Friday night, sweetheart.”

I scrunch up my face, feeling stupid. Of course, that’s how older people date. He’s going out to pick up another woman. Hopefully, he doesn’t bring her here.

“What about you? Any big plans?”

“Dinner and a movie with Cam,” I answer, looking away from him.

I’m embarrassed by how incredibly lame that sounds. It’s so typical and all we do. We go to dinner, a movie, or watch TV in my basement. We don’t go anywhere or do anything exciting–just like how we have sex.

“Let me know if you need some privacy later. I’ll wait until you guys are done fucking on the couch. I don’t want to interrupt again.”

“We won’t be fucking on the couch.”

I won’t be having sex with Cam down here until Zeth moves out. I can’t risk him walking in on us again. I’m not going to take the chance of him seeing how incredibly lame of a screw I am. I’m sure Cam will bitch about it, but he’ll have to get over it.

He bites the edge of his lip, grinning smugly. “Does it feel good to say that?”

“To say what?”

“Fucking.”

I look at him with confusion.

“I’m sure that dirty word doesn’t slip through those pretty pink lips very often.”

“You don’t know that. Quit thinking I’m this lame, sheltered freak whose mouth will burst into flames if she says something bad.”

“Then prove it to me.”

“Fucking,” I blurt out

“Say it again,” he says, challenging.

“Fucking.”

I grin. Obviously, this isn’t the first time I’ve cursed, but I feel the need to prove him wrong. I want him to know I’m not the girl he thinks I am.

He taps the top of my head and gets up. “That’s an excellent start. See, I knew I’d start corrupting your innocent ass.”