Val

“Got whistled at and cat-called in town today. ‘Twas interesting.”

“We live in a sad, sad world.”

“Then hurry. I miss being around my favorite niece.”

“This is why you’re my favorite aunt.” Val grinned as she tied her hair up and stepped into the pool. “How have you been, though?” she asked the older woman.

“If you don’t get in I can promise you I will push you in the next time you’re by the pool.”

“That’s not even fair, Aunt Ry. I told you I was getting in.”

“That’s not the same as hiding something.” TJ informed her with a smile. “But, I almost have a feeling that you already know anyways.” He added, knowing it was a pretty safe assumption. Valerie always seemed to know things before she should. Some might call it a gift, TJ called it a hassle on occasion.

“Okay, smart ass..” Val laughed, looking over at her brother. She nodded at his assumption. Valerie was pretty positive she knew what was going on. She had seen proof at the bonfire. “So you and Lanie are together, then?” she asked with a smug grin, “You could have told me that.”

“Sounds like a plan if there ever was one.” TJ said before making a face as she continued. “I am not avoiding you.” He replied. “I’m also not hiding anything.” He added as an afterthought though that wasn’t entirely the truth. It wasn’t that he was hiding something as much as just not saying anything about it.

Val raised an eyebrow and smiled, “It feels like you are.” she told her brother. “Something is going on that you aren’t telling me.” she said with a shrug. Val laughed a little and shook her head, “It’s okay, I’ll find out one way or another.”

“Maybe knock me out?” TJ suggested with a small chuckle. “No…just sitting here is nice. I feel like I’ve barely seen you since we’ve gotten here.”

“Yeah, I’ll knock you out right after I become Queen of Everything.” Val teased with a smile, glad to see that Tj wasn’t so far gone that he had lost his sense of humor. “I know how you feel. We’ve both just kind of been doing our own thing. Plus, you’re keeping something from me so you’ve been avoiding me, I’m pretty sure.”

TJ forced his arms to relax under his sister’s touch, hoping the rest of his body would follow suit. “I always look fine.” He said, trying to lighten the mood a bit. “Nah, Val, it’s good. Honestly, it is just one of those days. I’m….wound up, I guess.”

Val smiled a little and rolled her eyes, “Of course you do.” she joked, laughing a bit. She nodded at his words, leaning her head against his shoulder. “Is there something I can do to help you wind down?”

“If I had the words..” TJ said, shaking his head a bit. He looked over at his twin, eyes softening a bit as he noted the concern in her expression. He didn’t want her to waste her concern on him, knowing it should be on herself. “I’m fine, ValVal. Just one of those days.”

Val frowned and shook her head, reaching over and giving her brother’s shoulder a gentle squeeze. “You don’t look fine, TJ..” she said softly, “Is there something you need to talk about?”

TJ regarded his twin with annoyance before rolling his eyes and turning to the footie game that he had just pulled up on the telly, not saying a word to her.

Val sighed and moved to sit next to her brother, “Teej..” she said, nudging him lightly with her elbow. “What’s wrong, brother?” she asked, looking at him with concern.

“I honestly only have three words for you in this moment. Fucking. Fight. Me.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Who pissed in your Frosted Flakes?”