"He is not…" Lucy tried to speak, but she stopped and tried to talk past Rudy.
"Wait up." Rudy stopped Lucy by grabbing her from the shoulders.
Lucy wanted to avoid introducing Rudy to her friends, so she tried to run, but it was already too late.
"Lucy, do you know this guy?" Leah inquired.
"No." Lucy shook her head.
"What the—! Why are you lying?"
Lucy glared at Rudy and muttered, "Why is he here? The last thing I want is him to meet them."
Rudy smirked from the corner of his lips and said, "Hey there, I am Rudy."
"Oh!" Rosse clapped her hands. "You are the step-boy… ther."
Suzan elbowed Rosse to stop her from spilling the beans.
"Hmm?"
"Brother. She means step-brother."
"Yes. I am Lucy's step-brother. And I assume you are her friends."
Rosse moved her hand forward and said, "Hello, my name is Rosse. Lucy's best friend."
"Hello, Rosse. Nice to meet you." Rudy shook hands with a charming smile on his face.
