Citrus [completed]

Chapter 10

The Viper was uncharacteristically empty today. The only people included a few regulars and my friends, who crowd at their usual table. It was nice that the spot they had decided to do their homework was the seedy bar where I worked. They were good friends and offered the perfect distraction for slow days.

I sat at the table with Glory and Eden. Glory was reading her textbook, highlighter poised high ready for use, and Eden was pouring over the notes he had compiled for a story he was working on. Blair and Vanessa were supposed to come and complete the group, but they were running late on the account Blair was torturing Vanessa.

Vanessa agreed to become Blair's newest project against my judgment. This meant that for the past week Blair had invaded Vanessa's closet, where she deemed Vanessa needed the most help. This meant that Vanessa and Blair had gone on many shopping trips. I had only glimpsed a few items, but so far they had all gained my approval, considering it wasn't silk. Vanessa, much to her complaint, seemed to enjoy the change of pace in her wardrobe.

Eden, who had been compiling a list of future topics to include in his issues groans and turns towards me. "You promise that I can get an exclusive interview with you before your Opening Season right?" Eden asks me for what feels like the third time in the past hour since I had told him about the date for opening season.

"If it helps, you can be the only interviewer for the paper," I tell him once again. Eden nods as he goes back to nibbling on the end of his pen.

"It really would. I need some breakaway pieces to certify I can cover more than just gossip on my resume. Your show..."

I look up from my phone and over at him. He is staring at the Viper entrance with a gaping mouth, his eyes slightly bugging out of his skull. I twist in my seat and have to stop myself from adopting the same look like Eden.

There, standing in the doorway, almost picturesque, is a tall body. Bordering 6'0 the man is gorgeous. He has long brown hair that comes down a little past his shoulder and he must have a lot of it because it is in a half up and half down hairstyle. A necklace dangles from his neck and his T-shirt is tight to his wide shoulder. His eyes flashed around the bar and I can see from here that they're a dark intense color and his face is chiseled by the gods. The man looks vaguely familiar and I watch as he looks around the empty bar before his gaze snags on our table.

As if he's found his goal, he stalks towards us. Glory lets out a low appreciative whistle as she glances up from her textbook and I have to agree. Eden's mouth pops closed as the man comes within a few feet of our table. The man smiles widely as he opens his mouth and a pure, sweet, and deep voice flows out. "Well, hello there." He drawls.

My head jerks back at his accent, low and southern, and it hits me. The reason this man had seemed so familiar was that I had seen him before. This was the boy who had been at the Jeep when Vanessa had first arrived, which could only mean this was her brother. His accent was just like Vanessa's, both unusual but so welcome. Eden, who seemed to be in a daze, snaps out of it and plasters his welcoming smile onto his face.

"I see you're finally venturing further into Downtown Iverson," Eden says to him. Eden's smile feels slightly strained as he stares at Vanessa's brother. The man just flashes another smile his way and shrugs his big shoulders. Eden turns towards the table.

"I don't know if you've ever met, but guys, this is Vanessa's brother. Leo Colby." He introduces, waving his hand through the air with a flourish. Glory introduces herself, sneaking a quick look at his building biceps.

"Jamie," I tell him when it's my turn to introduce myself. Damn, the genes the Colby's have are too powerful. Leo smiles widely as he leans forward and drops into a low bow as if he is a gentleman from the seventh century.