All's Fair in Love and Las Vegas

Chapter Thirteen

        Grayson and I went to the airport the next morning to pick up Clay, who did not have the privileges of a private jet or a private driver. So we stood in the terminal, hoping that Clay would easily find us.

        "Does he look like you?" I asked, peering at the crowds of people.

        "Think blonde me with a glint of stupidity in his eyes," Grayson laughed.

        "You guys talking about me?" a voice behind us asked. I turned, stunned to see a man that fit that description exactly.

        Clay was a few inches shorter than his brother, with shaggy blonde hair that was on the verge of hanging in his eyes, which were indeed quite mischievous and quite blue. He wore jeans and a red t-shirt, along with flashy red basketball sneakers. He was wheeling a dark green suitcase that was coated in stickers from all around the world. 

        "Hey man, it's good to see you," Grayson said, giving him a hug.

        "Good to see you too, Gray. Who's the hot chick?" Clay asked. Now I understood the glint of stupidity. 

        "That's my wife, you idiot," Grayson scowled. "This is Jackie. Jackie, this is my egghead of a brother, Clay."

         "Charmed." Clay gave me an over-exaggerated bow, his hair coming dangerously close to brushing the tops of his shoes. His flirtatious smile did not help my opinion of him, either. "Although I'm surprised you actually got married, Grayson. How ever did she manage to seduce you?"

        "Maybe, and this might shock you, Clay, we actually like each other," his older brother retorted.

        "Mmm, nope, that's not it," Clay mused. "How'd you two meet?"

        So Grayson launched into the Barcelona story, which Clay immediately dismissed. "C'mon, that's ridiculous. Everyone here knows that's a load of crap. What's the real stuff?"

        I gave Grayson a pointed look, which he shook his head at. "He'll dig it up eventually, Jackie, might as well tell him."

        "You have to be the one to tell him," I said, embarrassed.

        Grayson did so, shuffling his feet uncomfortably. Once he was done, Clay began cackling uncontrollably, bending over and holding his stomach.

        "Seriously? This is Grayson? The responsible, perfect older brother poised to take over the Answell family legacy?" Clay wheezed, clutching his stomach.

        "Okay, it's not that funny," Grayson interrupted, mildly irritated.

        Clay tried to straighten out his face. "No, I guess it's not funny. It's not absolutely hilarious that you traveled to the states, married a girl that same day, hooked up with her, then instantly forgot all of it."

        "I didn't forget I was in the states!" Grayson said defensively, sounding weak.

        "Oh, thank goodness, I'm glad you remembered what country you were in," Clay snickered.

        Grayson sighed and turned to me. "I apologize for his moronic behavior."

        "Chill, bro, she loves my moronic behavior. She can't get enough of it," Clay said, casually resting his elbow on my shoulder. I merely stepped away, making him stumble.

        "That's not the case," I was quick to assure him.

        He winked at me. "You'll be quick to warm up to me, love."