Nathan nodded while grinning. He said, "Well, at the moment it is," with a smile and a backslap.

The one thing Brian wanted more than anything was to smash his stepbrother's arrogant face with his clenched fist. Instead, he took a big breath and cracked his neck.

Brian answered, "I'll see what I can do," adding, "But I have to warn you that I brought a date."

His mother, who was approaching him with a wide grin on her face, inquired, "Did I hear you say you brought a date ...