Just Don't Fall (Sweater Weather, #1; Appies, #1)

by Emma St. Clair

My brother’s face and name flashes across the screen. He and I talk several times a week, but him calling today is highly suspicious. It could be because Brandon heard Logan started today. Or, it could be because Logan started today and Dad told Brandon I’m bringing Logan to the gala. My brother will—to put it mildly—not approve. And I haven’t figured out how to untangle or explain away my bold-faced lie. Yet. Until then, I really, really don’t want to talk to Brandon. Not on the phone. Not in person. Not in a box or with socks or any other rhyming or non-rhyming places. But if my brother could be summed up in one word, it would be persistent. The man could wear down a diamond, crushing it back into coal. He immediately calls back when I don’t answer. I groan and gird up my metaphoric loins. Mouthing Sorry! to Mel, I pass her my debit card and answer Brandon’s call. “How was his first day?” Brandon demands before I’m even done saying hello. “Heard he was standoffish.” I breathe out a very real sigh of relief. This line of questioning means he doesn’t know about my Logan lie. Brandon definitely would have led with that. And of course Brandon would know Logan started today and how things went. He has someone on the team who serves as his eyes and ears. Aka: a spy and a snitch. And when I find out who … “Calm down, fanboy,” I tell him. “I am not a fanboy,” Brandon scoffs. There may be bad blood between my brother and his former best friend, but I happen to know Brandon follow...