don’t know what to do.
I need the gym.
Standing up, I quickly get dressed, then use the bathroom and brush my teeth.
If anything can make me feel better it’ll be lifting weights and burning off some energy. I probably won’t be able to afford the gym for much longer—it was my one luxury—so I may as well use it until the month runs out.
Job-hunting can start to-freaking-morrow.
Glancing in the mirror, I cringe at the greasy, shaggy mop on top of my head. There’s no point having a shower before I work out, so I grab my beat-up baseball cap and shove it on backward to hide the mess. My collar-length hair still sticks out at the sides, but I tuck it back behind my ears. It’s only just long enough to put into a stubby ponytail, but the cap will work for today.
Now, where are my sneakers?
My phone screen lights up, catching my eye. I grab it off the floor, unplugging the charger and reading a text from my brother.
JAKE: You awake?
ME: Of course I am.
The phone starts ringing in my hand, and the first thing I hear is Jake’s soft chuckle.
“I knew you would be. I just didn’t want to wake you on the off chance you were sleeping. Miracles do occasionally happen.”
“What the hell are you doing up?” I grin. “Unless you haven’t gone to bed yet.”
Jake laughs. “Study group actually finished on time last night, so I got some decent sleep.”
“Wow, your Friday nights sound awesome, man. Way to enjoy the summer.”
He laughs off my teasing, no doubt giving me the finger. “You don’t know who’s in my study group. My Friday nights are freaking awesome.”
“Carmen,” I mutter. “You manage to win her over yet?”
“Nah,” Jake sighs. “She’s still dating the dickhead.”
“She’ll figure it out eventually, man. Don’t worry about it.”
“I just don’t get what she sees in him. She’s so smart, you know? So interesting to talk to. Funny. Kind. And he’s just this dumb… jock.”
My eyebrows rise and I bite my lips together.
Jake goes silent for a second, then murmurs, “Not like you. I mean, you’ve got personality, you know, and wits and stuff, but he’s just this conceited moron. And he’s super rich, so he’s all ‘I was born with a diamond up my ass, so I have no idea how the commoners really live.’”
I laugh at the voice he’s putting on, then shake my head. I can’t stay mad with my little bro. He may be seven minutes older than me, but he’s not the biggest unit. He’s gained a little height in the past few years, but he’s long and lean… which is basically my nice way of saying he’s skinny.
“So, what’s up with you? I missed your call last night.”
The rock in my stomach instantly feels a thousand pounds heavier. “Yeah, I was just…” My voice trails off.
Do I tell him?
I should tell him.
I tell him everything.
It’s just… I suddenly feel like a big dumb jock. Except I don’t have any money either. So, where the hell does that leave me?
“Broski? You okay?”
“Yeah, I—” I tut and sigh. “I got fired.”
“Why?”
“A misunderstanding. I tried to kick this arrogant wiener out of the club, but it turned out to be the owner’s son.”
“Yikes. Man, that sucks. What are you gonna do?”
I shrug. “I’m gonna go to the gym and work out.”
“You know that won’t pay the bills, right?”
“Yes, Jake. I know that.” I tip my head back and groan.
My brother pauses. I can picture him licking his lips or adjusting his watch or pulling off his reading glasses to play with the arm. All his little habits. They’re so clear in my mind.
“You know, exercise is actually a great idea. It’s good for the brain, promotes plasticity by stimulating growth of new connections between cells. It also pumps more oxygen into your brain and releases hormones, which provide an excellent environment for the growth of brain cells.”
I frown. “Did you just Google why exercise is good for the brain or something?”
“No, I read about it a while back. So, go work out, get pumped, feel better, and then call me. I’ll start browsing for possible jobs for ya and see if I can make a list.”
I shake my head. Here he goes again. Always trying to rescue me and solve all my problems.
“Nah, I’m good, man. I’m just gonna take the day to mope.”
“You sure? I’m happy to help.”
“Yeah, I know. It’s cool of you, but you’ve got to study and a girl