Her Best Friend's Brother by T. Dell (read the beginning after the end novel .TXT) 📕

year big brother.” Mel had a phone wedged between her shoulder and ear as she chose her first day of school outfit. “You would have liked John and Parker. They were staying in the Johnson’s house next door. They are at NYU.”

“You know interns don’t get vacation time Mel.

I am sure you enjoyed having a chance to win at scrabble with me gone. Are John and Parker the Johnson’s kids?”

“No, they were just renters. They were there al week. John is so into me.”

“What happened to Cory?” Tony could realy care less about Cory, but he did like to check in with Mel every now and then. Whether or not his baby sister had a boyfriend and that boyfriend’s name was probably something he should know.

“Pish. Cory is old news. He hardly caled me at al over the summer you know. John cals me al the time. Him and Parker even came out to spend the fourth of July with me and Libby.” That got his attention.

“Parker is visiting Libby?” Did that sound casual and offhand? Maybe he should have asked about John first. “Umm so you like John …hmm?”

“Yes to both. Libby was seeing Sam Tucker, but I think she likes Parker better. We went to the park and had a picnic for fireworks.”

“Sam Tucker!” Okay that was not offhand.

But he had been taken by surprise.

“Yes. Sam Tucker, the guy who actualy asks her out on dates. You know what they are right. Or don’t you and Effie go out on dates?”

“It isn’t like that with Effie. We were working in the same town, and it saved on rent.”

“In a one bedroom apartment?”

“There is a pul out couch. Tel me about Parker… and John.” He did not have to explain himself to Mel. Effie was just his friend. Wel maybe more than a friend. But Effie wasn’t looking to get serious anymore than he was, and how could he justify casual sex to his baby sister!

“Parker and John spent the weekend at the hotel in town and went back to New York the next week.

Parker is pre-law, but John is going to be a doctor. I think that is so noble don’t you?”

Tony tuned her out. It was pretty obvious he wasn’t going to get any more information about this Parker character, or about Sam Tucker. Not that it realy mattered. Libby could date who ever she wanted. After al he had spent most of the summer with Effie. And she should be dating. Isn’t that part of the reason he hadn’t put any pressure on her? He wanted her to have al the experiences of being a teenager, and that included dating. If he remembered correctly (and it wasn’t that long ago) it included a lot of dating.

It snowed today. October is early for snow even inNew York, but I was glad. Snow always makes me thinkof home. How many snowball fights have we had overthe years? Mel would always chicken out and go insidefor hot cocoa, but you were more of a trooper.

I wish I could show you New York. Especially in thesnow.

-T-

I do love the snow. Maybe we’ll get lucky and havea white Christmas. It has been years since I canremember snow at Christmas.

Mel is throwing a Halloween party this weekend. Iam going as Velma… like from Scooby Doo. It isn’t myfirst choice, but there are four of us. It was John’sidea. So naturally he is Freddie, and Mel gets to beDaphne. But I don’t mind being Velma too much sinceshe is so excited.

-L-

I always liked Velma. I have kind of a thing forbrainy chicks.

-t-

Of course he didn’t have to ask who the fourth was. Mel had already told him that John and Parker were going to be in town for the party. Maybe he would try and make it too. Haloween would probably be the last time he had to spare before he needed to buckle down for finals.

And he had something he wanted to show Libby anyway.

Tony couldn’t help grinning to himself. Now that the decision was made he couldn’t wait to get home. He hadn’t been home in almost a year, and his whole body hummed with excitement at the idea of the trip. A last minute flight would not be cheap, but he had some money saved and he had the code to his parents frequent flyer miles account.

Wouldn’t Libby be surprised to see him? Not that he was just going to see Libby. He missed his mom and dad, and of course Mel too. And Libby. He missed Libby. He wanted to see her in that Velma costume and he most certainly didn’t want Parker to see her in it.

Libby woke up, and her bed was spinning in circles. No, that couldn’t be possible. On second thought it must be her head that was spinning. She tried to cal out for her mom, but it would seem that some time during the night she had swalowed a basket bal. Her throat felt tight and scratchy. Crap. She was sick. She would have to miss Mel’s party tonight, and Parker’s visit. Although she wasn’t so much worried about missing him, as she felt bad for leaving him alone at a party where he wouldn’t know anyone. Hopefuly Mel would take the time to introduce him around before she crawled into a dark corner with John. The two of them weren’t exactly discreet.

By the afternoon, and after some hefty doses of Dayquil, Libby was feeling marginaly better. Not realy wel enough to go to the party, but the room was staying stil, and she had found the energy to finish her English paper. When she had warmed her voice up a bit she was able to cal Mel and rasp out an explanation. Mel was disappointed, but John had already arrived so Libby was confident that she would cheer up soon enough.

After a shower that, she imagined, washed away al her germs, Libby changed into fresh clean pajamas