Something Bolder (Book Two)

XXXI. Hypocrisy

Needless to say, Jane was pissed.

She promptly came barreling into the room after forty-five minutes and threw Demetri out of my room without batting an eye.

"Don't you get any ideas," she threatened me once she and I were alone. "That will not be a regular occurrence."

"Oh, come on, Janey! Can't a girl have some fun?" I said, snickering heartily. I was stretched out horizontally across the foot of my bed with a wide grin. I loved irritating her almost as much as she enjoyed irritating me.

"You've already had more than your fill," she said, giving me a sharp, judgmental look.

"As if!" I laughed. Demetri and I actually hadn't done anything other than talk, but I rumpled up the bed and made him get his scent all over the sheets just for giggles. "He's fun. I'm totally penciling him in again in the future," I teased.

"I'm being serious," Jane said sternly. "I don't know what game you two are playing, but it's over."

"Relax! It's not like I'm going to marry the guy!" I told her as I adjusted to sitting on the edge of the bed. The sour look on Jane's face was so worth all of the effort.

"I don't care who you marry as long as it's not my brother," she retorted defensively.

"If you didn't care, we wouldn't be having this conversation."

"I really don't care. I just don't know what you see in Demetri," she insisted, crossing her arms.

"Um," I giggled. "I think you're misinterpreting the situation."

"How so?" she asked, giving me a stony look.

"I mean, he's..." I trailed off as I tilted my head to the side. "He's...kinda fine!"

Jane's stare darkened.

"Oh, you know! He's, like...a total babe."

"So?" she snapped.

"What do you mean 'So'?" I said, grinning ear to ear. "I'm single now and I want to enjoy a little honey. Who cares?"

Jane's expression smoothed out. "You've moved on from my brother awfully fast," she said accusingly.

"Oh, boo," I scoffed. "That relationship has been dead - just like you've been saying from the start!" I added snarkily.

God, it felt so good to watch her squirm.

"You don't have to be in love with someone to think they're attractive, Jane," I continued when I was met with only a grimace. "I'm not saying that I magically don't care about your brother anymore but..."

"Don't patronize me," she said sharply.

"You've never looked at someone and thought 'Hm. What a delicious looking treat'?"

"No," she said with a disgusted look on her face.

"Okay, seriously? You've never found someone attractive before?"

She rolled her eyes but didn't respond.

"Other than your brother?" I added, just to be mean.

A loud, rough hiss escaped from her teeth.

I broke down in a fit of laughter. I couldn't help it.

"Oh, my God. I'm just kidding! Jee-zus!" I managed to wheeze out.

"This whole situation is absolutely ridiculous!" Jane exclaimed. "You're just trying to make Alec look bad, running around with another man like this. And with someone who is in a lower rank! It's all anyone wants to talk about anymore! Staring at us and snickering into the back of their hands--"

"I don't care," I said, waving her off. "My life literally has nothing to do with him anymore - or you."

"You don't deserve him. You never did," she spat.

"I'm comfortable with that."

Jane balled up her fist and grit her teeth, searching desperately for words.

"What do you want from me?" I finally asked point blank.

"Never speak to Demetri again," she said without hesitation.

"Fine," I shrugged.

Jane's posture relaxed and a triumphant smile spread across her face.

"It's not like we need to talk anyway," I added with a snicker.

Her face fell immediately.

"I will end both of you," she threatened hotly.

"Anything else, princess?" I asked lightly.

"You will not get away with humiliating my brother like this."

"I am so sure," I sighed. I was finally starting to get annoyed. "You're just mad because I moved on first."

"You're wrong," Jane snapped.

"And you should be careful what you wish for next time," I snapped back. "Now, get out of my room. I'm going to take a nap."