as he bragged about achieving drillmaster status with grilling skills. Deep red and golden leaves fell to the ground as small wisps of an autumn breeze swept them around the yard. The lights from the houses along the backside of our block glowed in the neighborhood. The picturesque scene reminded me of an electric Christmas village my great grandmother used to display on a telephone table.
We were enjoying an after-dinner cocktail in the backyard when I heard car doors slam. The unmistakable sound of my mom calling my name forced a glare toward Derrick. He totally called them.
“You all should have come to our house for dinner.” My mom stopped when she saw Anderson. “Well, hello. Aren’t you the most handsome man to visit these parts?”
“Mom. Dad.” Anderson jumped to his feet. I rolled my eyes as my younger sister pushed her way past my mom. “This is my friend, Anderson.”
“I’m Jurnee’s younger and prettier sister, Donna.”
Bella Donna Messer was definitely the prettier of the two of us. If there was a list created of our attributes, Donna would win most of them. A graduate of one of the other Michigan universities, Donna spent most of our shared time together pointing out all the ways she was superior to me.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you both. Please,” Anderson gestured for my mother to take his seat.
“Hey, Jurnee. Those Spartans struggled a bit with their special teams today. Did you notice?” My dad gave Anderson a quick handshake. “Jenison Messer. Nice to meet you.”
“Mr. Messer, nice to meet you as well. Jurnee took me to my first Spartan game today. She says she gets her love of sports from you.”
Jenison shoved his hands in his pockets. “She doesn’t like baseball. I don’t know how I messed that up, but I’ll take what I can get.”
Derrick arrived with a few more chairs. Anderson helped him create a larger circle. Donna sat down in the seat Anderson offered. I just shook my head. Of course she would throw herself at the first guy I brought home. Why would this situation be any different?
“Can I get anyone some wine?” I made my way to my backdoor with everyone’s order.
“I’ll help.” Anderson followed me into the house.
Before I could take the wine glasses out of the cabinet, he turned me around and pushed me against the refrigerator. His lips found mine as he pressed into me. My lips parted to allow his tongue to gently glide over mine. When he sucked on my lower lip and caressed it with his tongue, I pressed my thighs together, craving friction.
“In my humble opinion, you’re the prettier sister.” He pulled away too quickly and smiled down at me. “Drinks?”
“Shit. Yep.” I turned and pulled wine glasses out of the cabinet. “Will you get the white out of the fridge while I make Donna her cocktail?”
He chuckled. “She seems to be–”
“A lot. She’s just a lot.”
Derrick rushed through the backdoor. “What the hell, Jurnee? Give me alcohol. Your mom is already talking about Donna’s latest list of accomplishments.”
“Sorry.” Derrick and I had developed a strategy of never leaving each other alone with my family when at all possible. He learned early in our friendship that Donna was the star while I was the spare. “Just take the bottles!”
Derrick grabbed the wine glasses and walked back outside. Anderson lifted the bottle of white, asking if he could carry anything else out.
“Better grab both bottles. They haven’t seen me for a while. There’s probably a long list of new things to share.”
A questioning expression spread across his face. “You’re close to inking a multi-store deal with Graham Morgan.”
“Ha. That will not make it anywhere near the top of the fold.” I added the twist of lime to Donna’s drink and grabbed another bottle of red for my mom. Pushing the door open with my butt, “Ready?”
“Always,” Anderson whispered, then leaned down and planted a quick kiss on me. “You look so cute in this house. Let’s do this.”
Three bottles of wine later, Dad insisted it was time to head home and take the dogs out. Hugs and handshakes wrapped up with Derrick, Anderson, and I waving as my family climbed in Dad’s car.
Derrick smiled and waved at the car backing out of my driveway, “Jesus, Jurnee. How the fuck did you deal with that growing up?”
“She means well. I mean, I’m proud of Donna too.”
We picked up the empty glasses and wine bottles and headed back into the house. Derrick continued