Summer:

   "Brother!" I yell, moving as quickly as my legs could take me. He was home!

"Dude, Summer, you are not going to believe the crazy uber driver I just had..." I plowed into him, giving him a huge hug.

"I thought you weren't going to be back until tomorrow?" looking up at him as he stiffened in my arms. What was his problem? I followed his eyes as I saw he was looking at Broc.

"Oh yeah, This is..."

He cut me off, and gritted out, "Broc, Yeah I know him."

I heard Broc clear his throat. "Hey Mike."

There's this long uncomfortable silence while I waited, patiently, for one of these guys to tell me what their issue was with each other. Broc quickly went back to cooking but my brother stood there for a moment longer before turning and grabbing his bag, heading up the stairs.

"Umm, Mike! Wait up!" I run up after him. Catching up to him quickly, he turns and goes off on me.

"What the fuck is that asshole doing here?" He was yelling even though Broc was right downstairs and could probably hear him. I tried to shush him.

"He's a friend of Sean's, you know Brit's boyfriend, he's going to watch some anime with us tonight." A smile spread across my face before I could even hide it.

He softened his face after I spoke. Almost like he knew he wasn't really mad at me. What the hell is going on with him.

"Broc isn't the kind of guy I want you around, OK? It's cool if he hangs out tonight, but I don't want him here again." My face is felling hot. I ball my fists at my side. Since when does he get to tell me who I can hang out with? I'm 24 years old damn it.

"Excuse me? Do I not pay rent and bills here just like you?! Fuck you if you think you can tell me who I'm allowed to share MY space with, Mike! Especially without any explanation?! What the hell is wrong with you?!" I was about to turn and walk down the stairs when he grabbed my arm. I looked back to see his pleading eyes. Jeez, what could Broc have done that was so horrible.

"Please Summer, he's involved in some, interesting, business OK? Just, promise me you'll be safe OK? Please?" I looked him in the eyes, and gave him a hug.

"OK Mike. I will. OK? I'll be safe." When we finally pulled away from each other, he still looked so sad.

Watching him as he grabbed his keys off his dresser and changed his shirt. "Going somewhere?" I asked genuinely curious.

"Out." Was all he said as he headed back down the stairs. I sigh remembering our younger years when my dad and brother were always saying they were "going somewhere". Basically code for, illegal activities and you're not invited. I huffed and followed him down the stairs.

He flashed another glare at Broc as he was leaning on the bar, plates and bowls lined up. He was staring at his phone. I watched as my brother fumed just before opening the door again. "OK, well, bye! Love you!" I waved goodbye with a big smile.

"I won't be home tonight, expect me back tomorrow morning." I nodded as he closed the door.

I stared at the door for another second or two before turning around and marching over to Broc. I narrowed my eyes at him.

"So?...", He looked up from his phone, his eyes were sad, not what I was expecting, "...Tell me."

Broc

Summer remained surprisingly calm as I went on to inform her about my family business. My family runs all sorts of black market ventures with investments from businesses hoping to make a quick buck. It wasn't something I was always proud of, but It got me through college, and It got me my dream day job. I don't think she made the connection that her brother was one of those businesses, meaning her business. Maybe she had but wasn't showing it. Either way, she downed a shot of vodka with me, then another, before I cut her off. What am I doing? Telling this woman what I do outside of my day job. I should have left when I had the chance.

"OK..." She said as she took another swing of wine, "...I'm not sure what to make of all this, but any man who can take care of this amazing animal right here, can't be all that bad." She gave me a shy smile as she patted Eres on the head. I let out a deep breath I didn't even realize I was holding when I heard the pounding at the door. Summer jumped off the bar stool nearly tripping over herself trying to get to the door faster. I followed closely behind her making sure she didn't fall over anything on the way over to the door.

Before she opened the door, she spun around and hugged me. "Thanks for telling me that, I feel much better now." I looked down at this beautiful woman. She didn't seemed phased by the news at all. Interesting. It could be the alcohol. Yeah, it's probably just the alcohol.

She turned back to open the door and a tipsy Brittany comes crashing into Summer nearly knocking her over, holy shit these two are something else. Brit was in a very similar outfit, but bright pink silky shorts with a t-shirt that had Gray from Fairy tail on it. After Sean and I made sure the woman weren't going to fall all over each other, we headed into the kitchen.

After the rules of the cook off were explained, drinks were poured, and the taste testing began. Summer's pasta was so fuckin' delicious. I swear if she ever met my mother...

"Of course, this is going to be my favorite!" I heard Brit yell as she interrupted my thoughts.

"No! Brit, you have to be fair!" Summer protested.

"Fine." Brit mumbled back making us all laugh.

By the end of the food, Votes were tallied. Sean elected himself to be the announcer because he was the least drunk, we all agreed this was fair.

"And the winner is..."