"So here we are," Art said as he pulled into the driveway of a three story house on a sprawling lawn."

"Your parents live here?" Venti eyed the wrought-iron fence that opened after Art clicked on a remote. "And is that what the remote is for? I never knew that."

"Well, my Dad and Moms all have jobs, and I have a lot of brothers and sisters, but all of them except for one live away from home. I guess they just didn't feel like moving to a smaller home."

"Hell, you could probably inherit the place."

Art shook his head. "The upkeep would be too much. Besides, I'm allergic to the grass when it's mowed."

They pulled around to the front of the house, and Art noticed Eddie's car was in the driveway as well. "My half-brother's here too. This should be fun."

"So am I going to meet all of your moms and your brothers and sisters?"

Art noticed Venti didn't mention his father, but filed it away for future discussion. "Just my parents and my half-brother from the looks of things." Art walked up the short stairs, ringing the doorbell. A few seconds later, the door opened, and Eddie grinned down at Art. "Hey, tiny," he said, "did you bring that--"

"Eddie?" Venti laughed as he saw the lion. "You're related to Art?"

Eddie's jaw dropped open when he saw Venti. "Venti? You're my brother's boyfriend?"

Art looked at Eddie, then at Venti. "You two...know each other?"

"I sure do, Art. Hell, how did I not know you two were related?" Venti spread his arms to hug Eddie as he stepped outside, moving Art aside with a casual push of his hand.

"But how do you two know each other?" Art said, feeling dizzy. He didn't want them to be chummy! He wanted Eddie to be intimidated!

"Oh, it's a long story, Art," Venti said, lifting up the larger lion as if he were a sack of flour. "I'll tell you during dinner."

Eddie pounded a fist on Venti's back, laughing. "Put me down! I'm not some dumbbell you can lug around!"

Art felt like a dumbbell himself...

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