Following My Sister's Rules

Chapter 6

"So where are you off to?"  Jackson asked me the next morning as I hogged the bathroom in an attempt to get ready to go to the beach with Audrey.

"Heading to the beach with a girl from school."  I told him as I finished shaving and moved aside to let him in too.  "What are you doing up so early?"

He shrugged.  "More house hunting, I guess.  I have to go to San Francisco next weekend with Christina to meet her parents, so I need to do something productive with my life.  Don't want to be the 30 year old guy still living with his parents.  Doesn't exactly make me look like a good choice for their daughter."

"I didn't realize you were so serious with her."

"Yeah, she's really into it, so why not?  There aren't a lot of great choices around here."

"True."  I agreed.  "I like Christina though.  She's nice."

"You like everyone."  He pointed out.  "I don't think your opinion has much merit."

"It has all the merit it needs."  I grinned and chucked my towel at him.  "I'm gonna go grab some breakfast though, I'll see you around."

"Have fun at the beach."  He told me before shutting the door.

I liked Jackson and all, but sometimes he was hard to talk to. He wasn't exactly forthcoming, and he was so reserved, it was difficult to get him to talk about anything if substance.  I'm kind of relieved he's moving out soon, so I can be the man of the house again.

When I got downstairs, I joined my dad and Katherine for breakfast, engaging in some small talk before I grabbed my stuff and headed out the door.  Audrey only lived about five minutes away, so I was at her house in no time.  I was just climbing out of the car when she came out the front door and jogged down the walk towards me.

"Hey Max!"  She breathed out as she reached me.

"Hey, gorgeous."  I greeted back as I held her door open for her.  "How was practice?"

"It was great.  Our squad is so good this year."  She told me as she settled in.  "I'm so excited for the season to start."

"I'm sure you guys will be awesome. You have been for years."

"Thanks!"  She grinned at me.  "I'm glad we're doing this.  I didn't know you ever paid attention to me.  You were always busy with Bianca."

"Bee and I are just friends, always have been.  And don't be ridiculous, Aud, I've always been friends with you regardless of that."

"I guess.  It just took me by surprise, that's all."

"It shouldn't. You're awesome, of course I was going to make a move. Any guy would have to be crazy not to be interested in you."  I smiled at her as I pulled up to a red light on the way to Santa Monica, the best beach for people my age.  There was a lot to do at the pier once we got tired of the beach.  Audrey was smiling at me and staring, and I was instantly thrilled that my brothers taught me a few things about high school girls.

"Well, I'm excited either way."  She said with a big grin.  "So what are your plans for college?  Going to UCLA like everyone else?"

"I don't know."  I shrugged.  "UCLA is definitely my top choice, but I have a few other places I've been looking at too.  How about you?"

"I don't know, probably somewhere in Cali. I like the beach too much to leave."  She smiled that perfect smile that was quickly beginning to affect me in ways I wasn't expecting it to.  Perhaps I was starting to feel more of an attraction than I thought I would, but it was a welcome distraction.  Anything to get my mind off a certain girl.