Love is only for the brave

 

"Are you sure you're not misleading?" Bren's question stung Liv. What was she going on about? Rico?

Liv only gave her a look of disgust. She was not that type. 

"When? Just what are you trying to say?" It was laughable to think they were more than friends. Yes, they had a set schedule. They went to school together. They went to work after school together. And yes, he even brought her home in the evening. Once the weather warmed up, she knew she could do all this on her own. 

"Things are looking pretty tight," Bren was even lipped. Evidently, his brother had noticed.

"Tight?" That made her wince harder. "What about you and Rico's brother?"

Naturally, Bren had nothing to say to that. She was mute. She went on to make them something to eat, even if it was grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. 

"You're the one with the boyfriend, not me." Liv made it clear. There was definitely nothing romantic going on. Besides, she felt far superior from letting herself fall into anything with anyone. She was doing well at getting her homework done and having a usual work schedule. It might not have been much to some, but she liked hiding in her shell. 

"I don't want to talk about it." Bren swelled a frown as she went on with dinner.

"Good." Liv shot back, "Let's keep it that way."

"I just wish he'd talk to me," Bren finally said as she was dishing out soup and putting the cheesy sandwiches on plates. 

"You're with him all the time." Liv winced as she blew on a spoon full of tomato soup where she was comfortable in their little dining space.

"That doesn't mean we..we're really discussing anything." 

Liv looked up at Bren as if maybe she did think being with Mario might be a lost cause. Evidently, things weren't progressing. 

"Just what do you want to discuss?" Liv wanted to know.

"I dunno." Bren let out a sigh as she held her sandwich but she didn't eat. "He knows all about Gonzo and..and he won't even let me know if..if he'd even been in a serious relationship."

"He's almost thirty, isn't he? He's bound to have been in love before," Liv shrugged as she dipped half of a crusty sandwich in the hot soup and ate.

"You'd think so. But I don't know. Maybe he was in love with God or something."

Liv almost choked on a laugh. 

"You seriously think highly of him, don't you?" Liv couldn't help but smile.

"I don't guess Rico talks anymore than his brother," Bren still wasn't smiling as she finally ate her sandwich.

"Oh, he's full of questions," Liv told her. "I think he just wants to know about Tristan and Mona."