Page 67 of Lease to Love

“What?”

He gave me that little smirk. The one that said everything my silence wasn't. “Nothing.”

I took another drink.

“Sure.” I stared at the television. “Thanks for the advice, Tinderella. I'll keep it in mind.”

His eyebrows shot up. “You're an asshole.”

“I'm aware.”

He snorted. “And we’re talking about your relationship. Not my consenting entanglements with the women of my choosing.”

He stood, grabbing his hoodie from the arm of the couch. “Remember, I'm the one with the psych degree.”

I watched him pull the hoodie over his head.

He did have a psychology degree.

He'd gotten it only to decide he didn't want to be a psychologist anymore, drop out before finishing his master's, and end up sleeping in his car before I stepped in and gave him some damn stability.

“Go use it, then.”

He laughed. “Just did.”

He headed toward the door, then looked over his shoulder.

“Walk me out, nigga. Like Ma raised you with some damn manners.”

I rolled my eyes and stood, following him to the front door.

Erik zipped up his hoodie and turned toward me. “Speaking of…”

My phone buzzed in my pocket.

I pulled it out.

One look at the screen.

I glared at Erik.

This little motherf—

He grinned. “I told Ma.”

I lunged for him and he ducked out of my reach. The front door swung open, and Erik was already halfway down the steps.

“I love you, big brother!”

“I want my damn key back, E!”

He kept walking backward toward the sidewalk, grinning like the pain in my ass he'd always been. “Tell Ma I said hi!”

I watched him disappear toward NoMa Metro.

I closed the door a little harder than necessary, then stood there for a second with my hand still on the knob.

Then I pinched the bridge of my nose.