“Not you too…” Stevie groaned and threw his head back. He’d been doing homework at the kitchen table and his older brother took the seat across from him. As soon as he started talking about Mercedes, Stevie knew where the conversation was quickly headed.

“Well it’s not like you’re being subtle,” Sam said, a smirk twitching at the corner of his mouth.

“I don’t have a crush on Mercedes!” he exclaimed, hitting the table.

“Then why are you so defensive?” the older of the two asked.

“Because Stacey keeps bringing it up, Dad did the other day, and now you.”

“Well if three of us think you have a crush on Mercedes, then maybe you’re giving us that impression,” Sam said, raising an eyebrow.

Stevie sighed and slumped back in his chair.

“Look, I get why you would like her. Obviously. But she’s kind of taken,” he continued, gesturing to himself.

“I don’t like her! So what if I like going with her to do wedding stuff and talking on the phone with her and smiling at her and stuff? Her smile is contagious!” Stevie huffed. “And yeah, I hid in my room for a week after catching you guys on the couch, but that’s just because I don’t want to see my brother getting busy! I don’t care that I saw her in her bra! It’s your stupid fault because you obviously can’t keep it in your pants long enough to take it to a private area!”

Sam just sat there, smirking at his little brother.

“Okay, I’ll admit that. But come on, you’ve seen her,” he replied.

Stevie shoved his fingers in his ears and started singing. He hated his cheeky big brother sometimes.

“LA LA LA LA LA LA LA….” Sam rolled his eyes.

“Stevie, nobody’s picking on you, we just want you to know that your little crush is okay. I’m sure it’ll fade. Somehow ‘Cedes hasn’t figured it out yet, and maybe it’s just because we’re your family, but as far as we’re concerned, you’re being obvious.” Stevie blushed and sunk further into his chair.

“I may like to spend time with her and make her laugh and stuff, but it doesn’t mean…”

“Okay, little bro. Keep telling yourself that. Just don’t go all The Graduate on my wedding day.”