Swept Away

Chapter 15

unedited

The blood was still simmering under my skin, this time not with rage but with... something-- something else. I could still feel the tingles his lips left on my skin as I flew into action.

"Hey-- uh hey Kevin!" I tried my best to sound normal.

I heard his bags thump on the hardwood floor in the foyer as I all but shoved Zion away from me, patted down my hair and then grabbed his arm.

"Kens? You sound weird," I swore under my breath, "Where are you? I forgot how huge and confusing this place is."

Zion's hand was warm and strong in mine and I had to squelch the fluttery feelings that were making a comeback. I made large purposeful strides across the kitchen and down the hall, Zion in tow. Passing the bathroom, and laundry room I yelled, "Bathroom! I'm-- I-- I'm in the bathroom! One sec, I'll come to you!"

"No that's o--

I tuned him out finally reaching my destination. At the moment the backdoor seemed like the gateway to heaven. 

"Look," I placed a hand on Zion's chest, pushing him out of the door I had just swung open silently, "You gotta go."

"What about my--

"I don't know what you're talking about," I hissed, "I don't care you have to get out of here though. I'm in deep crap if Kev--

"Kennedy!"

"Coming!" I swiveled back to Zion, "Bye."

And with that I closed the door, heaving a huge sigh of relief. I speed walked to the bathroom, flushed the toilet turned on the water letting it run for a bit, shutting it off and slipping out the door.

Perfect timing I mentally congratulated myself once I came face to face-- well rather, face to chest with my hulk of a brother, Kevin.

"Oh-- hey, there you are. What were you taking the dump of the century?" he pinched my cheeks.

I wrinkled my nose only slightly disturbed, "Wow Kevin-- haven't seen me since Christmas and that's all you have to say to me?"

He was still pinching my cheeks as he cooed, "Nawww of course not you little man child, I want to say congrats. You actually look like a girl."

"Okay. First off stop pinching my cheeks like Aunt Mable," I punctuated each word with a swat to his hands, "Second, thanks for the backhanded comment glad your communication skills have become more civil."

"You really have changed though sis," his forehead crinkled into his thoughtful face.

"Yeah, yeah. You too. It's only been like-- seven, eight, nine... ten months though."

Either way he was right. I had changed. I had changed a lot since my awkward prepubescent he/she days. It was sorta a rough patch in my life-- or well, a rough hole rather. I didn't really like to bring up the fact that up until the middle of sophomore year I would have been easily mistaken for a twelve year old boy. From the way I dressed, behaved, and looked you coulda called me a little mannish...  But nobody had to know.

As for Kevin he had definitely changed as well. Time had done him well, and twenty two looked good on him. He had obviously been paying the gym regular visits if his bulging biceps and firm, broad shoulders were any testament. He had a little bit of stubble going on along with his very masculine features I knew girls on campus and really anywhere else were probably falling all over for him. He was quite the looker I guess, but what did one expect when he was related to me? Us Gargers cleaned up pretty nice.