Overprotective Life

Scavenger hunt

Alex's POV:

11am.

The next morning, I sit on the couch with Nicole and Bruce, absentmindedly peeling my banana while Bruce takes slow sips of his coffee. The house is quiet, the kind of morning stillness that almost makes everything feel peaceful—until I decide to break it. 

"It's finally time I get a car," I announce, taking a bite of my banana. 

Bruce doesn't even look up from his coffee. "Hmm." 

That's it? Just "hmm"? I frown and sit up straighter. "Did you hear me? I said I need a car." 

He finally sets his mug down and leans back, looking way too relaxed for someone who's about to get into an argument. "Heard you and Ryan finally decided to make it official" he asks instead, like that was anywhere near the topic of discussion. 

Nicole perks up beside me, clearly interested in where this is going. I roll my eyes. "Yes. We're official. Now, about the car—" 

Bruce smirks like he just won something. "Took you two long enough." 

I let out a frustrated sigh. "Bruce, focus. Car. I need one." 

He shakes his head. "No." 

I blink. "No?" 

"No." He takes another sip of his coffee like that's the end of the conversation. 

I turn to Nicole for backup, but she just shrugs as if she's enjoying the show. 

"Why not?" I demand. 

Bruce finally sets his mug down, looking at me with that older-brother expression that means he thinks he's in charge. "Ask Ryan. If he says yes, I'll get you one." 

I groan, throwing my head back against the couch. "Why do I need Ryan's approval? You're the one buying it!" 

He shrugs. "Ryan's your boyfriend now. If he says it's a good idea, I'll consider it." 

I cross my arms. "Fine. But I'm picking the color and the car." 

Bruce smirks. "We'll see." 

I narrow my eyes at him. "No. We won't see. I pick." 

He laughs, sipping his coffee again. "We'll see." 

I finish the last bite of my banana, still fuming over Bruce's refusal to let me pick my own car. Just as I'm about to argue again, he casually says, "Oh, by the way, I picked up your injections this morning." 

I totally forgot about those.

I freeze. "What?" 

He stretches out on the couch, "Got them on my way back from the gym." 

I shift uncomfortably. "Okay... so?" 

Bruce smirks. "So, Ryan's coming over to give you one today." 

Nicole bites her lip to keep from laughing, but I can see the amusement in her eyes. "Oh, this should be fun."