The bar is rowdy, but I expected it to be. As we approach, I hear them cheer, noticing a big smile on Charlie’s face.
“So, where’s this famous sister of yours you’re always hiding?” a young guy with spiked ginger hair enquires.
“Yeah. Where is she?” another young guy asks. He looks to be about my age with blond hair and freckles. Very cute.
“Okay, you muppets. Remember what I fucking said. Behave yourselves.” Charlie turns to move out of my way. I smile brightly, feeling my cheeks flush as he introduces me.
One of them whistles. “Wow. No wonder you’ve been hiding her.”
Another one of them shouts, “Come sit over here, darling. We won’t bite … much.” They all go into a fit of laughter.
My brother scowls. “Say one more fucking word, Ben, and I’ll cut your throat.”
“Ooh,” they all say before laughing again. It looks like most of them are already drunk.
Charlie stands in front of me for a moment, gritting his teeth. “What would you like to drink?”
Trying to hide my smile, I look at him. “A dry white wine, please.”
He asks Devon the same and then says to him, “Look after her for me.”
I exhale an exasperated breath. As Charlie moves away, Ben pats the seat next to him. “I was only joking about the biting. Come, sit next to us. We’re all friends here.”
When I start to move, I feel a hand clutch my arm. I turn my head and see Devon staring down at me. “Charlie told me to look out for you.”
I smile at him as sweetly as I can. “If Charlie didn’t trust these guys, he wouldn’t have invited me.” I start to move again, but Devon doesn’t release his grip. When I look at his hand, then back up at him, he finally relents.
Releasing a breath, I walk over to Ben and sit down. Immediately, I feel like I’m on display with at least a half-dozen pairs of eyes staring at me.
“We’re really not all that bad,” Ben says, smiling cheekily. “We just like winding up your brother. We know his weaknesses and use them against him at every turn.” They all laugh as do I. I have a feeling that is definitely the case.
“So, what do you do … Andi, is it?”
I turn my head to the ginger-haired guy, but not before noticing Devon staring at me intently. “I’m the PA for Charlie’s best mate, Devon.” I nod at him, making them all look. When they do, his eyes bore into mine.
I feel Ben leaning close to my ear. “What can I say to make you laugh, so it looks like we’re talking about him?”
I start laughing, making Ben grin, but when we both look at Devon, his face is like thunder. “You’re going to get me in big trouble on Monday.”
“Oh, darlin,’ I would like to get you into a whole heap of trouble by Monday, but I’m sure your brother would have something to say about that.”
I laugh again. “Yes, I’m sure he would.”
“Tell me,” he says, trying to talk over the throng of voices. “Have you ever managed to date? I mean, ever? Charlie’s like the Hound of the Baskervilles when it comes to his baby sister.”
I laugh again. “Yeah, you could say that. I have dated, but it’s come with some difficulty, I must admit.”
He offers me his hand. “My name’s Ben by the way.”
I shake it, noticing his crooked smile. It’s absolutely adorable. “Andi.”
He looks up at my brother, who is still standing at the bar, before meeting my eyes again. “I bet you miss him, huh?”
I close my eyes, nodding. “Every minute of every day. I’m so glad he’s home.”
His crooked smile vanishes. “Yeah. Being away from home is always difficult.”
I tilt my head, wondering who this Ben is. “What about your family?”
He takes a swig of his beer. “I have a twin brother and four sisters. They drive me bloody crazy.”
“Wow,” I say, surprised. “Are you and your twin brother identical?”
He closes one eye, scrutinising me with the other. “Why do all women want to know that? It must be a fetish of yours.”
I gasp, shaking my head. “I’m only asking because I’m intrigued.”
He places his beer down. “Sure. It has nothing to do with the thought of double the trouble.” He raises his eyebrow at me, making me giggle. “Well, to answer your question … no, we’re not identical. And, just in case you’re wondering, I’m three minutes older.”
“Is he in the army, too?”
Ben shakes his head. “No. He’s a welder.” He notices my eyes widening. “Quite the opposite of a soldier, huh? That’s our family all over.”
I open my mouth to ask him about his sisters when I hear someone across the table. “Hey, Ben, stop hogging Charlie’s sister. Some of us want to piss him off, too.”
I smirk, shaking my head. “Are you lot always like this?”
One guy goes into a fit of hysterics. “If you only knew what your brother puts us through on a day-to-day basis, you’d understand.”
I look around at their smiling faces. “Well, tell me then,” I urge as Charlie approaches with the drinks.
“Are you guys talking shit about me?”
The guy sitting next to where Charlie’s standing suddenly gets up. “Only because we love you so much.” He kisses him on the cheek, making my brother scowl as he frantically rubs his face. I’ve never seen him look so disgusted.
“Fuck off, Edward. Go kiss your mum with that mouth.”
Edward looks at me. “I would rather kiss your sister.” He waggles his eyebrows, making me giggle.
Charlie lets out a frustrated breath, shaking his head. “I knew bringing you here was a bad idea.”
I smile at him. “I’m having fun.”
“Fun, huh? Spend an hour with this lot, and you won’t think of them as fun.”
Edward grabs Charlie’s cheeks and squeezes, puckering his mouth. “With a face that sweet, your mouth must choose to be salty.” Everyone laughs.
Charlie shrugs him off. “Fuck off.” He sits, looking at me and Ben sitting together. “Is he hassling you?”
“I don’t believe you, Charlie. Take a chill pill. I’m fine. Ben has been nothing but sweet and respectful.”
“That’s because he wants to keep his man parts,” someone jibes.
Charlie ignores whoever it is and turns back to me. “So, what were they saying about me?”
I lean forward. “Well, I was about to hear some stories, but you rudely interrupted.”
“They have nothing on me.”
I hear laughter next to me. “Seriously?” Ben asks. “What about the time you found out the vending machine’s door was open, and you and Todd sat there waiting for everyone to leave just so you could steal all the money?”
I gasp and someone else says, “And the worst part was that you and Todd didn’t even know the other one knew about it being open. You both sat there for hours until closing time before you finally turned to Todd and said, ‘Why the fuck haven’t you left yet?’ When he didn’t answer, you went on to say, ‘You know about the vending machine, don’t you?’”
I turn to Charlie. “You didn’t?” I ask, not believing he would do something like that.
Charlie shakes his head with a smirk. “You little shits.”
I stare at my brother in disbelief, but he doesn’t look at me. That very fact tells me it’s true.
“And,” Ben says, “he once filled all the showerheads with gravy granules—”
“That was never proven,” Charlie protested.
“Yes, but we all know it was you,” Ben answers, pointing at Charlie.
Shaking my head, I smirk. “So what did everyone come out smelling like? Chicken or beef?”
“Trust you to ask that,” Charlie smirks.
Shrugging one shoulder, I look at him innocently. “I’m just interested. That’s all.”
“I think it was beef because I remember being tempted to make Yorkshire puddings to go with it.” Ben laughs at his own joke.
I look at Charlie. “I think you and I have a lot to talk about tomorrow.”
Charlie takes a breath before picking up his bottle of beer. He tilts it toward Ben. “You’re dead meat.”
“What did I do?” Ben asks with a devious gleam in his eye.
“Not much has changed then.”
We all focus on Devon. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Charlie shaking his head. “You may as well pile it on, Devon. I can’t get in much more trouble.”
When Devon leans forward, I notice the change in his mood. He looks … playful. It’s a side I only see when he’s with a woman. A sight he seems to relish me witnessing.
“I have two words for you. Actually, I have a name. Tim Burnstein.” Devon points to Charlie, who places his head in his hands.
“I remember that name from somewhere.” I try wracking my brain. I know I’ve heard it mentioned before.
Charlie carefully takes one hand away from his eye, looking at me. “Our old neighbour.”
“Oh! He was an arsehole.” I remember something and gasp.
“Remember that time someone set up a load of appointments to turn up at his house on the same day?” He’d had plumbers, electricians, painters, and even someone from pest control.
Devon points to Charlie with a smirk. My mouth drops open as I place my hand on Charlie’s shoulder. “You didn’t!”
He turns to me, squinting. “I may have done it a little bit.” He holds up his thumb and index finger to show how little.
I turn away. “You are not my brother,” I say jokingly.
“You have to admit that he deserved it,” Devon says.
I look over at Devon—a little amazed he’s including me in the conversation. “Okay. I can give you that. He once shouted at me because I got too close to his lawn. Frightened me to death.”
Charlie elbows me. “Why didn’t you tell me that?”
I shrug. “I apologised and just made sure I didn’t go near his yard again. No biggy.”
“I would have strangled his scrawny fucking neck.”
“Which is exactly why I didn’t tell you. You were as hot-headed back then as you are now.”
Charlie throws an arm around my shoulders and squeezes me to him. “I can’t help it if I want to make sure my little sister is safe. What kind of older brother would I be if I didn’t look out for you?” He kisses my head. I can’t help but smile. How can I be mad at him?
“You’re such a big softy.”
“Only when it comes to you,” he replies.
Just as Charlie lifts up his drink for a salute, I lock eyes with Devon, who’s staring at me intently. Heat instantly rises inside me. His blue eyes seem to delve deep into my soul. It’s almost like a power he possesses. I can’t quite explain the feeling. I don’t see it in him often, but when I do, it just makes my obsession for him grow even stronger. I don’t want to desire this man, but when he fixes me with those eyes of his, it’s like he almost commands it.
“To family and friends,” Charlie says. Immediately, Devon’s eyes are off me and on him. “Come on then.” Charlie nudges my arm, making me realise I’m still in a stupor.
“Sorry,” I offer, picking up my wine.
“To family and friends,” we all say, clinking glasses.