My senses were tingling. My bullshit detection was flying off the charts. My eyes side eyed every suspicious comment said to me.

This doesn’t usually happen when it comes to Brady.

Good ol wholesome and can’t lie for shit Brady. I’ve had the displeasure of being around this human personification of a golden retriever ever since my mother finally married a good man and settled in the suburbs. It was quite an adjustment from the literal dumps I grew up with.

Despite my rather sharp demeanor, Brady was an alright guy. His personality reminded me of Superman. Annoyingly good.

Which is why when he has been lying awfully to my face for a week now, it makes me want to confront him already.

But his attempts at lying are too entertaining. I gotta see what made him break his rules.

“Some girlfriend you must have to be hiding her like that.” I told Brady one night when once again he lied to me that he was studying. He’s going to get high marks regardless. I don’t even care where he’s actually going and lying won’t do anything for him. There’s no consequence for him waiting if he exposes his girlfriend.

God knows the girls have been throwing themselves at him and using me an inconvenient wall to their doomed love.

Sometimes I wish Brady was just gay. Then he goes on and on about pickleball and its too straight.

Brady froze. “I don’t have a girlfriend.”

“Then where are you going every night?”

“I told you I’m going-“

“-to study when exams are weeks away? Yeah right. No one’s taking your valedictorian crown buddy. Why are carrying so much stuff when you leave?”

“I told you I’m working-“

“-As a magician’s assistant? Why would you even do that?”

“Its for a friend, Maxine.”

“-I’d believe you more if you were dealing drugs.” I crossed my arms. If he wants to keep it a secret, he can but I won’t listen to his lies anymore. “Its fine if you have someone on the side, I got guys too-“

“-guys? As in plural?” Brady looked uncomfortable, fisting his hands.

“Let’s not be prudes okay. I don’t judge you going out every night so you should judge my body count.”

“Do you have feelings for them?” Brady asked, sincere curious staring me dead in the eyes.

I smirked going in front of him. Teasing I played a bit with his long curly hair. He swallowed stiffening at my touch. “Brady you don’t need feelings to have fun with your body. Its just physical.”

He grabbed my wrist. “I like you.”

Now it was my turn to freeze. I blinked at him. “Ew, no. You’re like a dog.”

“I’ve been going out every night to learn the guitar from Rex and all the stuff you see me lugging around? Thats all the instruments and band gear I’ve been using to practice. Its so I can surprise you at the battle of the bands and maybe you’ll see me as something more than your annoying neighbor.” He let go of my hand. “Or even a dog. That hurt by the way.”

I wasn’t used to men being this emotionally vulnerable with me or going through all this effort for me.

Usually they’d do manly thing and just say they like my body.

This is unsettling.

“Brady, you’re so annoying.” I found myself saying, pulling at his cheek. “You don’t have to hide anything from me. Keep practicing let’s see if you were actually onto something.”