Jackson held out Jillian’s hat. “Go.”
Jillian grinned as she read the paper. “Pampered Chef? Is that company still in business?”
“Absolutely. Then maybe you’d learn to cook.”
“Not happening. Next.”
Jackson drew. “Piano teacher?”
“You’d be great at it!”
“No jobs with kids.”
“It’s a half hour lesson, not a commitment to be their big brother. Anyway, you could always teach adults.”
Jackson shook his head while Jillian took her turn.
“Sex toy party consultant.” Jillian raised a lone brow. “These home party jobs are usually evening work. Why don’t I just turn tricks? The pay would be better.”
“Patience. You still have two more options.”
Jillian kicked his shin. “Prostitute is one of the last two options, isn’t it?”
Jackson snickered. “My turn.” He fished a piece of paper from the hat. “Discount mattress store mascot?”
“Yes. You’ve seen them—the guys that dress up in a mattress costume and stand on the street corner. I bet it would increase your chances of getting laid.”
Jackson took a pull of his beer. “I’ve got Woody, what more could women want?”
Jillian drew again. “A psychic?” She giggled as the endless possibilities played in her mind.
“I knew you’d like that one.”
“I do, but I think it’s best we stick with jobs that won’t have disgruntled customers seeking revenge.”
“You’re probably right. Give me my last choice.” Jackson unfolded the paper. “A prostitute? You bitch! You put that one in my hat?”
Jillian hugged her stomach. There was nothing she loved more than getting the best of her brother. “Don’t act all offended. That was basically your life before, I’m just suggesting you get paid for it now.”
“These suck.” Jackson wadded the paper and tossed it back in the hat. “Every single one.”
“Yeah, because my choices are so appealing. Let’s see what your last ingenious idea is.” She pulled the last piece of paper from her hat. “A surrogate? You think I’m going to spend the next ten years, fat, swollen, and pissing my pants every time I laugh?”
Jackson shrugged. “What could be more beautiful than giving the gift of life?”
She flicked the piece of paper at him. “Ending yours, you barnyard masturbating jerk!”
He sighed, eyes red and glassy. “This is fucked. We shouldn’t be doing this. This is our life, we should take it seriously. I want my old job—the one where I’m actually using my computer engineering degree.”
“Join the club. Do you have any idea how many tests I took and how hard I worked … all for nothing. I say we just do it. You start your own business and I’ll start retaking my exams.”
Jackson sighed. “God you’re pathetic. You have a weak moment and I’m there, pulling you back to reality. I have a weak moment and you’re like, ‘Yeah, fuck it, bro, let’s jump off that cliff.’ McGraw said no to anything close to our old professions. It would give us an unnecessary hint of visibility, put us on the radar.”
Jillian slumped in her chair, finishing the last of her beer. “I know, I know. Karma hates us. We shouldn’t even be here, but we are so screw it. Money’s not an issue, so for now I say we live with reckless abandon, shunning all reason and responsibility. Accountability is overrated. Let’s just be.”
Jessica and Jude Day had been overachievers in every sense of the word. Could Jillian and Jackson let go of their inner drive for success and just be? Not likely, but it was worth a try.
Jackson slid her a pen and piece of paper. “Ok then. You’re right. It’s too hard to choose. So you pick the job for me and I’ll pick the one for you.”
“Just like that? Out of the five choices I gave you, I get to pick the one?”
“Yes. Just like that. And I get to pick yours.”
The Knights stared at each other in a drunken gaze showdown. Luckily choosing random and meaningless professions didn’t require sobriety.
“Fine.”
“Fine.”
Chapter Five
A J looked for every possible excuse to skip the association picnic. He even entertained the idea of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Unfortunately, Cage was still home so he considered any form of self-mutilation to be extreme and a bad example.
“Everyone is going to hound you about the upcoming season and guilt you into getting them tickets for a game.” AJ made his last appeal as he packed their plates and utensils in a brown bag while Cage loaded the cooler.
“What’s your deal? I’m usually being guilted into attending these things.” He laughed at his father’s peculiar mood.
AJ shrugged. “No deal. What’s your deal today? Why are you so enthusiastic about attending a picnic with a bunch of people from your grandparents’ generation?”
“Our new neighbors are close to my age.”
Once. AJ had met her once. Jillian was a goddamn train wreck. He couldn’t get her out of his mind and Cage’s comment only aggravated AJ’s already edgy mood. “No, she’s not.”