The Protector (Barrett Boys #3) - Jordan Ford Page 0,42

accounts mention me at all. She wouldn’t want her reputation tarnished by a sad, depressed stepsister.

“She’s promoting this sunscreen oil or something.” Percy’s still gazing at the phone, his eyes bright with… ew, is that like lust or something?

Then he looks right at me.

“What do you think, Indy? You into following celebrities?”

I shake my head.

“That Jewel chick is not a celebrity.” Tabby’s tone is so scathing. “I’ve never even heard of her.”

Oh thank God.

“She’s just some pretty piece of ass that needs constant reassurance. She probably has no talent, yet she’s making stupid amounts of money every year with racy photographs and video clips. It bugs me so much that people like that earn big bucks while everyone who actually makes this country run, like the freaking backbone of America, have to work super hard to make ends meet. It’s so wrong. The whole system.” Tabby keeps ranting. “Like how professional sports players are on these stupid salaries and actors get paid so much money when the trash collectors and cleaners and people who look after our cities can barely afford a decent living.”

Her wrath is kind of disconcerting, and I’m shrinking before I even notice.

Brody rests his hand on my back, softly pushing my spine straight. “You obviously don’t love celebs, Tabby.” He grins at her.

“No way. Give me real, genuine people any day of the week. I’m so not into Hollywood bullshit.”

Percy looks a little abashed as he slaps his phone down on the seat beside him. “You’re not into celebrities either, are you?” He’s looking at me again. “I can tell by the look on your face. You’re just as repulsed as Tabby is.”

I try to smile but have no idea if it looks like one or not. “I don’t…” I shake my head. “Yeah, I guess I’m not really into them.”

“It’s lucky none of us know any.” Brody grins.

Then Wren pipes up. “Or it’s lucky none of them know us!” He laughs. “I think they’d get iced out or seriously dissed if they came near our table right now.”

I force out a laugh while Tabby giggles and kisses Wren’s cheek. I throw Brody a grateful smile for what he said about none of us knowing any celebrities.

He winks at me, then goes back to shoveling pasta into his mouth.

I nibble on my sushi. My appetite has kind of disintegrated.

Man, Tabby’s reaction to the rich and famous was kind of harsh. I need to make sure she never finds out that I’m related to one of the wealthiest men in America.

19

Remember Your Job

I wander beside Indy as we leave yet another lecture, lifting my face to the sun and enjoying the flash of warmth and brightness. It makes me realize that I’m an outdoors, practical kind of guy. Having to sit through mind-numbing lectures is enough to do my head in, but Indy is so freaking passionate about science and learning anything new that she’s captivated. She can’t help talking about what she’s studying, dissecting the text and explaining it all to me. In spite of my reluctance, she’s actually got me kind of interested in what she’s doing. Over the last few weeks, she’s started talking about what we’re learning, kind of teaching me in ways that are easy to understand.

On the nights we’re home and not out with her friends (Wren and Tabby like to hang out a lot), after we cook dinner together, she sits down to go over her notes, asking me questions about anything I didn’t understand and then rewording it until I can nod that I get it. I figure her explaining stuff to me is helping her, so I’m going with it… and okay, maybe finding some of it interesting.

Who knew biology and genetics could capture my attention? It probably helps that my “tutor” is a little hottie.

I mask my smile by rubbing a hand over my mouth and pulling my expression into line as we reach Tabatha and Wren.

“Muffin?” Tabby looks at her boyfriend.

“No.” He frowns.

“Stud Muffin.”

His reply is a dark glare.

Tabby giggles. “How about just Tuffy, then?”

“No.” He shakes his head emphatically, his nose and eyes doing a quick tic. “It’s Wren. Just Wren.”

“What are you guys talking about?” Indy tucks her thumb under her bag strap while I do a scan of the area.

A group of three is studying on the bench ten feet away. There’s an Asian-looking guy doing something on his phone by the tree to my right, and just over my shoulder is a