He nods. “Yeah. We don’t get to meet or see each other, or know anything about each other at all. We see each other for the first time at the wedding.”
“Holy shit.” I don’t know what else to even say. It’s crazy, but also, kinda cool.
“We have to fill out all these quizzes and talk to the shrinks, and they match us up with what they think is our perfect match. So, we get married and have to stay together for six months. After that, we can stay together or split up, and we each get fifty thousand dollars.”
“So you’re doing this for the money, right?” Vandal asks.
“No, asshole. I don’t need money. I have shit luck with chicks. I want to see if this works.”
I lean against the wall, captivated with this idea. “I think it’s wild,” I say. “Is it televised? Like a reality show?”
He shakes his long brown hair. “No. We just journal everything.”
“Well, I think it’s cool, and I’m really interested to see how it goes.”
“Aren’t you supportive?” Vandal teases.
“You’re a dick.”
“Boys! I cannot even count the amount of money you owe me right now. Do you think I can’t hear you just because I’m over here making meringue?”
“Sorry, Gram,” we all say in unison.
“And you,” she points to Vandal. “Leave your cousin and your brother alone. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to find love.”
“They’re gonna find themselves buying Divorce for Dummies, Gram. Don’t you care?”
She throws a bowl into the sink. “Of course I care. But I want you to be nice to others.”
“I can’t, Gram. The darkness lives in me.”
Gram shakes her head, but I can tell she’s laughing. Vandal is gonna make her insane. And rich.
“I’m outta here,” I say. “Van, I’ll see you on Monday?”
He nods without looking up at me because he’s coloring a butterfly black in Katie’s book. “Yup,” he says.
“Talon, good luck, man.”