In my head, I'd imagined my reunion with Brandon to be slightly teary and very heartwarming. Of course I should of known, since it was Brandon, it would be the opposite.

"Brandon!" I cried as he lunged at Bennett with outstretched hands.

I was too far away to stop him, but Bennett quickly caught Brandon's arms, twisting them and holding them in place behind Brandon's back. For a moment I was too shocked by his reaction to move— Bennett hadn't seemed the type to know how to protect himself— but then I moved forward to grab Brandon's shoulders and pull him away from Bennett before he could do any real harm.

"So you're the guy huh," Brandon said lowly, eyeing Bennett up and down slowly.

Bennett looked understandably confused. "Sorry?"

"Brandon, don't even start," I said warily.

"No way! No guy is living with my little sister without my permission," Brandon said, cracking his knuckles intimidatingly.

Sebastian snorted from behind us, earning him a dirty look from my brother. "And since when have you become surrounded by guys, Henley? Are you the main character of a novel?" Brandon demanded.

I rolled my eyes. "It's not like that. I told you already. Bennett offered me a place to stay when Attack on Henley's apartment happened. You should be thankful he took me in."

"He's suspicious."

"I can clear any background check and any security clearance with ease," Bennett stated confidently.

Brandon stared at Bennett like he was an alien specimen. I grimaced a bit and patted Bennett on the shoulder. "See? He's perfectly normal... kind of."

"Besides, if I wanted to do anything to your sister, I could've already," Bennett added casually, examining the back of his hand.

"Why you—"

"Woah there," Ariana said, swinging an arm around my brother's shoulder to keep him still. "Calm down. Bennett's joking around. Probably."

I wasn't sure either. Bennett wasn't the type to crack jokes, but by the way he was smiling smugly to himself, I wondered if he'd started to. Brandon pouted for a moment until I turned back to him. "What are you even doing here? How did you get out of jail?"

"I'm on parole," he said, folding his arms across his chest as Ariana stepped away from him to resume her place at the counter by Sebastian. There were clearly defined muscles that hadn't been there before. Maybe working out had helped him pass the time. "My new lawyer requested it based on the new evidence he presented and the officials accepted it. I really don't think Richard was trying to get me out early at all."

"Who is the new lawyer? What new evidence? Why are you keeping me in the dark about everything?" I demanded. "Couldn't you have called me to let me know you were being released?"

His lips quirked up and he spread out his arms. "I wanted it to be a surprise, so. Surprise!"

I pressed my lips together thinly. "I could've picked you up, at least."

"I had a ride and also I'm an adult. I can do things by myself, Mom. Did you forget you're my little sister?"

"Wait did you say new evidence?" I said, his words finally registering in my brain. "What's that? The video from McKellan's?"

"You'll never believe it. I have no idea how Richard missed it— it really makes me suspicious of him." Brandon opened his mouth to continue but then closed it, glancing between Bennett and Sebastian. "But let's discuss this later."

"Why?"

"Since it's a private matter, I don't want to discuss it in front of strangers."

Right, Sebastian and Bennett were right there. They didn't need to know about this. "Fine, but you better tell me everything."

"I will, I will. Sheesh, just be happy your big bro is finally free," he replied, pulling me into a tight hug. "I'll protect you from the hobos."

I pushed against his chest and made a face. "You? Yeah right."

"What? I've been working out! Check out these guns." He popped up his arm, flexing his admittedly beefy biceps. "You like that, Ariana?"

Ariana giggled and I rolled my eyes. Right. I forgot I'd have to deal with Brandon flirting with Ariana every five seconds. My gaze fell upon Sebastian, who was smiling tightly.

"Have you two been introduced?" I asked, wondering if poor Ariana was about to find herself in the middle of a love triangle.

"Briefly," Brandon said.

"This is Sebastian. He owns a bunch of properties so he's going to cut us a deal on a place to live around here," I informed my brother, hoping to get Sebastian on Brandon's good side. If they became friends it would be less likely for a love triangle to form.

Brandon cocked his head to the side. "Really? Why?"

"I'm just helping out a friend," Sebastian said politely.

"Or is there more to it?"

I groaned. "Oh my god, Brandon. Shut up. He's just a friend."

"Sebastian's really nice," Ariana cut in cheerfully. "He looks a little intimidating, but I think it's just because he dresses nicely all the time. So you don't have to worry about him and you can trust him." She smiled at Sebastian, whose cheeks had flushed slightly.

Brandon frowned at Sebastian for a moment, then he looked over himself, picking at the thin black shirt he was wearing. "Hmm."

I gasped. "Oh no! I don't have any of your clothes, they were stolen by the hobos!" How hadn't I thought about that? I should've been more prepared and bought clothing to replace it.

"It's okay, I probably wouldn't have fit in them anyway, so at least they got donated in some weird way. I saved up a little money by working in the jail," Brandon said, waving me off. "Don't worry about it. You've already had so much to worry about with me gone."

"You're my brother," I said, frowning. "I have to worry about you. We can go shopping when I get out of work tomorrow. I have money you can have too."

Brandon shook his head. "Uh-uh, I'm not taking your money. Ariana said she'd take me around tomorrow morning to put in job applications, anyway. My schedule is full."

"I can help you find a job, if you'd like," Bennett spoke up.

"No thanks," Brandon said immediately. "If I get money from you, would I have to date you too?"

My mouth fell open and my cheeks grew hot. "Brandon!"

"Anyway, I can find my own job, I don't need handouts," he said, holding his chin high.

"You just got out of jail, I don't think you can be picky!"

"More reason for me to do this on my own."

"You don't have to be a jerk about it."

Brandon and I glared at each other until Bennett spoke again, making us break away to face him. He stuck his hands into his pockets and shrugged. "It was just an offer. It will still stand if you can't find anything."

"Sure," Brandon said. "Thanks," he gritted out after I kicked him in the shin to give him a hint. He tried to kick me back and I moved the leg he was aiming for and managed to kick him again by swinging it out.

"You two sure are siblings," Sebastian mused, a smirk on his face.

"Unfortunately," I sighed.

Brandon wrapped his arm around my neck and gave me a noogie. "Aww, she loves her big bro."

At one point I would've been able to break free from him, but that was before he went to prison and became Biceposaurus. "I think I liked you better when you were in jail."

Ariana burst out laughing and Brandon finally released me, attempting to snatch her into his death grasp. Letting out a little scream, she ducked under the counter to get to the safety of the other side. "You can't come back here! Employees only!"

"I could meet you in the back room," Brandon said with a wink.

I pretended to throw up.

Sebastian walked over to me as Ariana began to throw coffee beans at my brother. I grimaced at him, feeling like I should apologize. "Sorry about him."

"You two seem to get along well."

"Really? It seems that way to you?"

"Well, you look like you're having fun."

Brushing my hair behind my ear, I grinned a little bit. "Yeah. It's nice to have him back. Even if he's annoying. How long have you been here, anyway? Did you come here for something?"

"Can't I come to a coffee shop for coffee?"

My neck became warm. Somehow Sebastian always managed to make me feel embarrassed. "Haha, yeah. I didn't mean for that to come out that way. You're more than welcome here. Even if it's embarrassing to be caught wearing the uniform."

His eyes crinkled as he smiled. "I was in the area so I dropped by to see you and Ariana. And I think the uniform is cute. You two look cute in it."

"You knew Henley was out with me, so you didn't come here to see her," Bennett interjected, suddenly appearing by my side. A bit too close. His shoulder pressed against mine. "Also, you're not allowed to see her in her uniform anymore."

Sebastian covered his mouth, but couldn't hide the laugh he emitted. I gave him a side look of disbelief. In response, he crossed his arms over his chest, like he was actually trying to portray the child he was coming off as. "He came by to see Ariana," he mumbled.

Putting up his hands, Sebastian fake surrendered. "You got me. But you can't stop me from visiting Henley at work no matter how jealous you get."

"I'm not jealous," Bennett muttered. Then he seemed to notice how close to me he'd gotten and took a step away.

It was kind of cute. Kind of. And in some cliché way, I liked to think Bennett could feel jealous over Sebastian like that. Too bad he was too oblivious to realize Sebastian's interests lay elsewhere.

"So you think Ariana is cute in her uniform," I started to say, only to be interrupted by a loud crash as Brandon sent one of the jars of coffee beans flying off the counter and skidding all over the floor.

Ariana covered her ears and winced, opening one eye slowly to take in the destruction. Whistling to himself, my brother feigned innocence as I glowered at him. Those two were always trouble when they were near each other.

"I think we should take this somewhere else," I said.

"Why are you giving me that look? It was her!"

"Was not," Ariana said quickly.

"We should leave," I repeated. Then I hesitated. Where were we going to go? I didn't have a place. I only had Bennett's place. Could we go there? He didn't like people in his house though. And my brother was a force of nature that not many could handle.

Crunch, crunch, crunch. Brandon stepped on coffee beans, not even trying to avoid him, as he made his way over to me. "Where do you expect me to go?"

I glanced at Bennett, unsure of what to say. Could I invite Brandon over? Was it pushing it? Would Bennett be comfortable?

"Oh, Brandon, you can stay with me," Ariana offered, gathering the broom and dustpan to clean up the mess. "If you want. I know Bennett likes his space at his house."

"Y-you could stay with me," Sebastian said loudly and we all turned to give him a funny look.

Maybe because he never stuttered. Ever. Or maybe because he didn't even know Brandon, so why was he offering? His face flushed red and his mouth hung open, as if he was surprised he even said that. I felt the need to pinch his cheeks— he was so cute! And he obviously didn't want Ariana to have Brandon over.

"Uh, I'd rather stay with Ariana, but thanks...?" Brandon gave me a confused look and I shrugged, trying to hide my smile.

"He could stay at my house. If you wanted that," Bennett said quietly.

My head whipped toward him. Was he serious? Bennett— who never let anyone besides his mother and Sebastian in his house— was going to let a complete stranger in? For me? I wasn't sure whether to cry or kiss him. It meant a lot to me, but I wasn't sure if I liked putting that kind of pressure on him. He shouldn't have to feel the need to leave his comfort zone just to please me. "Ah, no. He's fine with Ariana! I'm fine with it too. I'll be able to see him whenever. Thanks, though."

He visibly relaxed. "Let me know if you change your mind."

"You don't have to do that for us, we'll be getting our own place soon," I told him.

Which was the wrong thing to say. His face fell, suddenly resembling a downhearted puppy. "Oh."

"Let's not worry about that right now," I said. "I'm going to hang out here with my brother until Ariana's shift ends to try and keep him from destroying the place. You can head out, if you want."

Bennett checked his watch and then promptly sat down at one of the tables. "Our date is still going on. It would be rude of me to leave."

"You might get bored."

"I have work I can do," he responded, pulling out his cellphone. "Hang out with your brother, it's been awhile."

I smiled at him. "That's not really a date."

"It makes me happy to see you happy and isn't happiness what dates are all about?"

"It's kind of weird when you say cheesy things."

"Provolone."

I pointed my finger at him. "And you're making jokes!"

"He's becoming real smooth, isn't he?" Sebastian commented, putting his hands on Bennett's shoulders. "It's weird to me too."

Bennett shrugged Sebastian's grip off him, keeping his eyes glued to his cell screen. "I've always been funny."

Sebastian and I exchanged sarcastic looks and I grinned. Bennett sure was a charmer.

"Oh, Henley, can I ask you something?" Sebastian asked. "In private."

Bennett's chin turned up and he gave us a suspicious glance, but I still followed Sebastian away until we were out of earshot of everyone. "What's up?" Was he about to confess his love for Ariana to me? Maybe he was hoping I could play Cupid! I'd love to set her up with him— he was much better for her than my brother.

Before I could get too deep into my fantasies, he cleared his throat. "What was your old lawyers full name? Richard what?"

Not what I was expecting. "Richard Tapillo. Why, do you know him?"

Sebastian's eyebrows hooded, as if he was in deep thought. "Yes, I do... how did you afford him though?"

"What do you mean? He was the best deal around for lawyers. But then again, he turned out pretty crappy. You get what you pay for, I guess."

"He's one of the best lawyers I know."

I raised an eyebrow. "Really? Didn't seem like it."

"Why would he take on your brother's case?" he muttered.

Now it sounded like Sebastian was talking more to himself than me. A strange cold feeling washed over me and I felt nervous. Why was he asking about Richard? Did Sebastian know something?

"Perhaps the other cases he had caused him to lose focus on your brother's case," he spoke before I could say anything. "It's weird for him to not win his case."

The awkward feeling disappeared and I pursed my lips. "That's still not an excuse. Sorry if he's your friend, but I think he's pretty shady."

"A lot of lawyers are," Sebastian said, a sympathetic smile on his face. It quickly fell as he turned away from me. "And a lot of people are."

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