Sinbound

(4) Arthurs Attack

"There she is," Bentley chuckles, as Alex walks into the betting shop the next morning, "had a good night?"

"It was alright," Alex responds, leaning against his desk, stealing a piece of fudge from the bag in-front of him.

"Going to see her again?" Bentley asks.

"Now why would I do that?" Alex shrugs.

"Lex, does she know you're not going to see her again?" Bentley questions.

"Of course she does," Alex says.

"Is that an assumption or did you actually tell her?" Bentley sighs, "because you're shit at communicating, Lexi."

"Any other flaws you'd like to point out?" Alex responds, "and yes, I actually told her."

"Okay, we don't need another Lola situation," Bentley laughs.

"That was not funny," Alex states.

"It was actually," Bentley corrects, "it was fucking hilarious. Especially the way Tommy had to basically spell it out to her that you weren't interested."

"Oh yes, my lord and saviour Thomas Shelby," Alex replies.

"How endearing," Tommy remarks, and Alex looks over her shoulder to see him stood on the other side of the desk.

"Can we talk?" Tommy asks.

"Of you go," Bentley says, nudging Alex, who glances at him, "I hate you."

"No, you don't, now go make up," Bentley states, shooing the siblings away from his desk.

Alex follows Tommy into his office, shutting the door.

"What is it?" Alex asks.

"I thought we were good," Tommy says, frowning slightly, "you know I don't actually think that, right?"

"You can't just apologise for what you've said and assume that the damage is repaired," Alex responds.

"Lex, I am sorry, we were arguing, I was angry at you and I was drunk - I know it's not an excuse, I never should have said it no matter the context. You're my sister, that's it. No ifs or buts. You are my sister, and I never should have made you doubt that that is how I see you," Tommy says.

"You're right, you shouldn't have said it, it wouldn't even fucking cross my mind to remind you that you're only half of something to me, Tom," Alex states, "... but we're good."

"Are you sure because I thought we'd sorted it out before?" Tommy replies.

"Just because we've sorted it out doesn't mean I've got to forget what you said," Alex says.

-

"Another one?" Amari asks, gesturing to Alex's empty glass.

Alex doesn't respond, just slightly nudges the glass in her direction.

"What's on your mind, Lex?" Amari queries, placing the topped up glass back in front of her, "I'm a good listener."

"Must be a shame I'm not a good talker then," Alex replies.

"There must be some things you like to talk about," Amari states, as Alex's eyes flicker towards her, intense as always, "why would I talk to you about anything?"

"Why not?" Amari smiles.

Amari liked to tease Alex, but in reality she truly did hold a soft spot for the quiet woman. She wanted to know she was okay. She wanted to know how she could help her to open up. Sometimes her ambiance was too much, she wanted her to loosen up.