Skin and Bones

“Whose car is that?” I asked when we pulled up to the large white home; there was a purple car in the driveway I’d never seen before.

“Trey’s, when he moved out he wanted to take bumblebee but I fought him for it.”

“With what? Call of Duty?”

“How did you know?” He asked with a grin on his face.

“Had a hard time picturing you and Try in a fist fight.” I’ve never seen the two argue.

“I don’t think I even know how to punch someone.”

“Might be funny seeing you try. Hey what is it with Trey and oddly coloured cars?” Although everyone teased Garrett about his cars colour it was Trey’s car first so he was the one to choose it. However we all laughed at Garrett’s attempts to defend it.

“Everything in his house is brown as are most of his clothes maybe it’s his way of expressing himself?”” Garrett opened his front door letting me into the air conditioned house first. Arizona got hot early in the year, it hardly ever rained but sometimes the heat got too intense.

“TREY YOU HERE?” Garrett shouted out making the house echo. I hears a tumble down the stairs and there emerged the slightly older figure of Trey, his trusty flat cap on his head.

“Where is there a load of girls stuff in my old room? Oh hey Eva!” He ran down the few remaining steps and embraced me. Trey was the older brother I never had, Garrett was my shoulder to cry on while Try was the ass kicker.

“I take it you’re the one responsible.” He raised his eyebrows at me but kept a smile on his face to show he wasn’t being too serious.

“Sorry, I’m in the process of sorting out a lot of things, I’ve been spending a lot of time here lately.”

“Hey you know I don’t have a problem with it. I told you, you can use it whenever you want I just wanted to grab an old demo I left behind, I dunno what’s here and what’s at home.”

“Tell me about it, I get ready at my house in the morning and realise most of my best stuff is here. It’s so annoying.”

“Any luck on the house hunt? You know I don’t mind driving you to any viewings,” Garrett chipped in and Trey raised his eyebrows.

“You looking to move out Eva?”

“Yeah too many memories there you know? Everywhere is so expensive thought and I don’t know what I’m going to be able to afford.” Not having a job was seriously affecting how my life was turning out at that point. I tried not to let it get to me however, I needed to stay positive.

“Maybe you need a roommate? Garrett it’s about time you flew the nest little brother.” I raised my eyebrows up at Trey, was he suggesting Garrett and I move in together?

“Despite you being a big stupid meanie head about it it’s not a bad idea big brother. What do you say Eva? Think you can put up with me? I was silent for a few moments; the more I thought about it the more the idea made sense to me. Garrett and I got on extremely well and there was no denying that. He was my biggest support throughout everything and I felt more at home with him than at my own place.

“It could work.” I didn’t want to sound too excited in case everything fell through. My stomach was bubbling inside I felt giddy and sick like when I was asked on my first ever date. As much as I loved him and I enjoyed all the time I spent with Garrett, I couldn’t help but feel there was something a little different. I didn’t have a clue as to what it was, I was trying to get my life back on track and Garrett didn’t treat me any differently.

“So you wanna start looking?” Garrett asked with that lopsided grin on his face. I loved that grin it was one of many things which were perfect about him.

“Between applying for jobs and everything where am I going to find the time for watching all those movies you promised me?”

“Well I’m hardly doing much with my time at the moment. In the meantime why don’t you keep everything here for now? It’ll save you switching for all the time and we can get used to being roomies.” I couldn’t help but smile at how Garrett looked. His grin was now wide showing his bright straight teeth. His blue eyes were shining, like he was performing on stage.

“You do too much for me Garrett.”

“You’re worth it.”

“I’m going to leave you two love birds alone.” I turned to Trey who was now making his way upstairs, I know he was teasing but why did he say that?

“Fuck you Trey,” Garrett whispered but I close enough to hear him. I don’t think I was meant because when I questioned him about it he looked as if he had been caught by hid mom doing something he shouldn’t.

“I mean just… you know he’s an idiot.” He was scratching the hair on the back of his neck, a clear sign he was feeling nervous or awkward.

“You know I always wanted a sibling.” Sometimes I felt very lonely growing up, when Garrett came into my life I was very grateful for the closeness.

“You should have said I would given you Trey years ago.”

“You love him really.” Despite their fake disputes the boys were very close and never really squabbled or argued about anything. I yearned for that kind of close bond with someone, I was so grateful when Garrett gave me that.