BING
The knowing gleam in my baby sister’s brown eyes is disconcerting to say the least. She’s way more observant than even she knows, and she eyes both me and Jen with amused interest.
“So...” Lexy clicks her tongue. “Anything interesting happen while I was away?”
“Not much,” Jen says, her eyes fixed on the television.
“Ah-huh,” Lexy teases her bottom lip between her teeth. “I’m sure that in a big ol’ city like London absolutely nothing happened.” She rolls her eyes and shoots me a sly glance.
I’m fucked if she knows.
And she does.
She knows.
So I’m fucked.
“Nope, Jen’s right.” I shrug. “Absolutely nothing has happened.”
“Nothing in general... or nothing worth sharing?” Lexy grins. An ‘I know’ grin.
“Princess...” Alec puts his hand over her mouth. “‘Nuff.”
“Mm mm mm,” she says behind his hand, and he moves it. “I said, no it’s not. I’m only asking!”
“Asking and interrogating are two different things.”
“Then I’m interrogating.”
I watch as Jen smiles and hides her mouth behind her hand. I want to reach out and touch her, but hey, this whole ‘let’s keep it between us’ thing was her idea. And I know why.
She wants me to prove to her tomorrow night when we all go out that I can stay with my eyes on her. That I won’t even look at another girl. Her challenge is accepted.
Gladly accepted.
“I’m going for a drink. Any of you miserable gits need one?” Jen stands.
“I’ll come with.” Lexy follows her and winks at me. Goddamn her!
“Didn’t take you long,” Alec says with a slight hint of bitterness.
“Na, mate. It ain’t what you think.” I twirl the bottle between my fingers.
“Then what is it? Cause both of you have got that just fucked look about you.”
“Yes, I had sex with her. Several times. Happy?” I raise my eyebrows. “I gave her the chance to stop, and she said no. But it isn’t what you’re thinking. It isn’t just sex... Hell, I don’t know what this is.”
“What what is?”
I sigh, leaning my head back on the sofa. “I told her I wanted her, right? Not just as a quick fuck, but as something more.”
“A girlfriend?” Alec smirks.
“Wipe that damn look off your face.” I flick my head back up. “Yes. And she said no. Fucking no!”
“Why did she say no?”
Even Alec is confused. Bloody women.
“She said something about not being sure if she can trust me and wanting to get to know me. I want her. What more is there to know?”
Alec chuckles and shakes his head. “Oh, man. Girls like to know the soppy shit. Ya know, favourite films, favourite food, can you make them smile?”
“Jesus Christ,” I groan, rubbing my forehead. “I’m guessing a list won’t do the job?”
“Oh no,” Alec laughs. “I hope you’re ready for weeks of flowers, early morning text messages, and candlelit dinners. Also, don’t forget the TV cuddle nights. No sex.”
“You’re kidding. How am I supposed to hug that girl without wanting to rip off her clothes?”
“You think you’ve got issues?” He takes a swig of beer. “Your sister still makes me do that romantic shit.”
Jesus fucking Christ. When did I step into a chick flick?
“I don’t do romance,” I protest.
“Then you gotta get a romance guide for dummies, ‘cause she ain’t gonna take anything less than everything you got.”
“Why does convincing a girl you’re worth it sound a lot like divorce?”
“Because on the pain in the ass scale, it’s about the same.”
“Okay.” I close my eyes. “Shit, man. I can’t believe I’m gonna do this. What’s first?”
“Early morning texts,” Alec says without batting an eyelid. “Every day.”
“Might as well send flowers for a fucking wake up call.”
“Good shout. Do that.”