Chaos in Heels

The SUV turned onto a private drive, winding through lush vegetation before emerging at a stunning modern beach house perched on a bluff overlooking the ocean. Floor-to-ceiling windows reflected the afternoon sunlight, making the structure look like it was made of liquid gold.

"Whose house is this?" Deja asked, momentarily forgetting to be annoying.

Trevor grinned. "You don't recognize it? It's Nico's place."

Deja blinked. "Who the hell is Nico?"

Three heads swiveled in slow, synchronized judgment. Her mom looked personally offended. Her dad looked like he was questioning everything. Trevor just looked delighted.

"Your brother," Mrs. Moreau said slowly. "Your brother Nico? The middle child?"

"I have another brother?" Deja blurted, before catching herself. "I mean—duh. Of course. Nico. My brother. Who lives here. In... luxury. With beach windows and a Whole Foods aura."

I have ANOTHER brother? The book definitely did not mention another brother. Unless... wait, wasn't there a brother who went insane after the family fell apart? Is that Nico? Why didn't I pay more attention to the tragic backstories? Oh god, what if he's a serial killer?

"Are you feeling alright?" Trevor asked, eyeing her suspiciously.

"Peachy," Deja lied, smiling with all the sincerity of a Real Housewife at a reunion. "Just thrilled to see... my good ol' bro Nico. Love that guy. Classic Nico."

Before Deja could formulate a plan for dealing with this unexpected family member, the front door burst open.

A tall man with skin a shade darker than Deja's bounded down the steps. His hair was in locs pulled back into a ponytail, and he wore nothing but board shorts and a wide smile. He looked about thirty, with the kind of lean muscle you get from actual physical activity rather than Instagram workouts.

"DEE-JAY!" he yelled, arms wide.

Before she could escape, Deja found herself lifted off her feet in a crushing hug that knocked the breath from her lungs.

"Nico," she gasped, trying to peel herself off his very bare, very muscular chest. "Hey... bro. My organs say hi. Loudly."

He set her down and held her at arm's length, studying her face with intense brown eyes. "You look different."

Deja.exe has stopped working.

"New... um, highlighter?" she blurted, gesturing vaguely at her cheekbones like that explained everything.

Nico threw his head back and laughed. "Still the same Deja. Come on in, everyone! I've got the guest rooms ready and margaritas blending."

As the others grabbed bags from the trunk, Nico linked his arm through Deja's and led her toward the house. "So," he said in a lower voice, "how's Operation Ice Queen working out for you?"

Deja nearly tripped. "What?"

He shrugged. "Trevor told me about the personality shift. Said you've been acting like you're auditioning for Worst Family Member: Reality Edition. Figured it was one of your classic chaos schemes."

I KNEW I should've smothered Trevor with a throw pillow last week. That snitch. 

When the whole family said they could read her mind, I thought they were crazy. But I guess it's true, Nico thought, watching his sister's eyes widen in panic.

Deja laughed nervously. "Trevor talks too much."

Note to self: Add Trevor to the Throttle List. Right under 'Guardian Angel Who Set Me Up' and above 'People Who Eat Egg Salad in Public'.