Yesterday's events had me all out of it. I stayed up more than half the night tracing my lips and questioning it. It began to feel like a distant dream.
Every time we'd pass one another in the hall he'd give me a shit eating grin.
"Alex, could you come here for a second?" He called from the kitchen.
Thoughts instantly clouded my mind. My stomach felt as if it held a swarm of bees. "Yeah?" I asked, shutting the door behind me.
"My brother is coming to stay for a while, he's just getting out of college for break. He'll need a room, or he can sleep on the couch. That's up to you girls." He said.
"I'll go talk to Adia." I said, heading back for the door.
He grabbed my waist lightly, causing me to pause mid-action. My hand lingered on the handle.
His mouth was right above my ear. His breath hit my skin, forming goosebumps. "Would it be wrong if I told you I find you attractive?"
My heart skipped a few beats. "No. Not at all." I said quietly. I'm having trouble talking right now.
"Then I'd love to enlighten you on how beautiful you are." His lips grazed my neck. It sent shivers down my spine.
A force on the other side of the door caused me to fall in his arms.
"Ale- Oh, hi." Adia said, slipping in the room. Wow, nice one.
"I was um- I was just looking for you." I said, stumbling over my words.
"I was just telling Alex that my brother is coming over soon. He'll need a room unless you want to keep your room. He can sleep on the couch, that'll be fine." He said, placing his hand on the small of my back.
"He can have our room." She said quickly. "I'll sleep on the couch." She added.
"Great! Are you okay with sleeping in my room?" He asked, looking down at me.
I couldn't form words, so I just nodded.
----
A few hours later, his brother was pulling into the drive. Jay helped him with his bags and led him to the room. Ren helped him while Adia and I made lunch. Sam was off somewhere with Vic.
"You think Vic is a good guy? For Sam?" I asked Adia.
"He seems to be. I mean, if his band doesn't work out he can always get a job." She said, focusing more on the dishes.
"Yeah." I dropped the topic and continued flipping quesadillas.
----
"So, Logan, what's it like being related to Jay?" Ren asked.
"Lots and lost of nudity." He said with a chuckle.
We all laughed at that. Back in high school he'd always send 'nudes' on Tuesday's. They weren't technically nudes. He was just shirtless.
"Wow, thanks Logan. At least I kept my pants on." Jay said, his voice laced with sarcasm.
Sibling rivalry. One of life's lesser goods. I grew up with two brothers, so I know his pain. There can't be a full conversation without an argument sprouting. And it takes root for days. It doesn't just go away.
"Alright guys. I'm going to the store. Anyone wanna go?" He called, putting his plate in the sink.
The girls looked at one another then to me. Logan looked absolutely confused. He opened his mouth to speak but Ren hit him.
"Alex will." Sam said.
"Okay. I'll be in the car." He said with a smile.
When he was out of earshot, the girls erupted into a fit of giggles.
"What the hell just happened?" Logan asked. He looked genuinely confused.
"I'll explain later." Ren told him.
I flicked them off before running after Jay. He was sitting in the front seat, focusing on something on his phone.
"Where we going?" I asked and buckled myself in.
"Wal-Mart."
"There are Wal-Mart's up here?" I asked in disbelief.
He just chuckled and drove down the labyrinth of twisting roads. I don't know how he gets around. It seems so confusing. But I guess when you live here for eighteen years it grows on you.
Eventually we pulled into a large parking lot.
I couldn't help but follow him like a lost puppy. Everything is different here. Most people are hard to understand.
"You alright back there?" He asked with a chuckle.
"Totally. Why?"
"Cause you have a death grip on my shirt." He laughed.
It was then I noticed the fabric twisted in between my fingers. I had no idea where to go if I got lost. I'm trying to prevent that at all costs.
"Sorry." I said, releasing his shirt.
"It's fine." His hand bumped mine a few times before he grabbed it gently. I flinched and looked up at him.
"You can hold my hand if you want." He said, smiling.
Before he could notice the blush rising to my cheeks, I looked away. I intertwined our fingers and followed quietly.
He was just roaming around aimlessly. We didn't grab a cart or anything. I was beginning to question this trip.
"You know, your friends are terrible at keeping secrets." He had a grin on his face.
"Yeah, I know." I said, sheepishly.
"But, it's fine." He said quickly. "Because I like you too."
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