Sweet Little Lies

Ch. 3 Roommate's

Harper Morgan
By the time the rest of the party leaves, I have no choice but to follow Ajax to the big house. Mr. and Mrs. West left an hour ago. I hoped Ajax would leave with his parents but no such luck. He patiently waited for the remainder of the guests to leave and helped clean up some of the mess.
Now, we're headed to the Wests' colossal mansion. Lucky for me Dan is with us too, carrying one of my bags and Ajax the other.
When we get to the house, I open the back sliding glass door for them and follow in after them. I look around the home that I know as well as my own. I used to do chores here, cleaning, organizing and even painted some of the bedrooms. My parents always insisted we earn our own money for the things we wanted growing up. Besides birthdays and Christmas we never received gifts.
Climbing the large staircase I look at the pictures of the West family hanging on the wall. All the photos are of the three of them smiling happily into the camera. I know Mr. and Mrs. West wanted more children. Sadly, after complications with their second child who was a still born, Adelaide was unable to get pregnant again. I guess that's why they spoil Ajax so much, he will always be their baby.
Both boys stop in front of the bedroom and I immediately know its right across from Ajax's. I keep my face completely composed yet I'm dying inside.
Get over it, Harper! I remind myself that we're old family friends, my brother is his best friend. Lets just look at it as what it is, a simple temporary living situation.
"Night, Harp." Dan says, kissing my head then turns to Ajax. "Later, Ajax."
Ajax gives a small wave and lays my suitcase on my bed. When he starts to open it I stop him. "I can unpack myself." I state, not waiting him to stay.
"It's late. I'll help."
I clench my jaw tightly to stop myself from ordering him to go. I walk to the closet and bring out hangers. We work in silence making two piles; slacks and jeans in one and shirts and sweaters in another. When we're almost done I start taking them to the closet and organizing them into two sections, work-wear and everyday-wear.
I leave the closet to get more clothes when I see Ajax looking at me, his eyes narrowed. He's holding a pair of my lacy underwear in his hands. "I can put my underwear away." I say, completely mortified.
"What are you doing? Wearing this kind of thing?" He asks, harshly.
"I always wear underwear." I reply defensively, confused by his anger.
"Women only wear this type of thing when they want to impress someone." He states, coldly.
My jaw drops. "Are you calling me a whore?"
"No, I'm asking if you are." He corrects, harshly. I can't believe he just said that! I thought maybe after four years he'd drop the big brother act. I guess somethings never change. I don't know why but it finally clicks in my head, at this moment that he sincerely thinks of us as related, nothing more than his little sister.
I sigh."I'm not a whore." I state, totally honest and a bit hurt. "Now, please go. I'm tired." He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. I don't see why he needs to calm down. I believe I'm the one he's accusing of being loose.
"I'm sorry." He says, looking ashamed. This is how he would've acted four years ago with Dan. Big brother isn't happy his little sister is wearing sexy under garments.
I can't help but smile thinking about our past. We were close once, I can't let my pettiness over his rejection ruin our future. "Don't worry about it. I shouldn't have expected four years to change things." I reply, walking closer and shutting my suitcase.
"Meaning?"
I smile. "You and Dan weren't exactly known for minding your own business." I tease.
"We weren't that bad." He replies, defensively.
I scoff. "I didn't have a single date until I moved to Flagstaff! You were that bad."
"Dating was all you did?" He questions his face serious.
"Ajax, I'm not eighteen anymore." I whisper like I'm telling him a big secret.
I see his jaw clench and release repeatedly. He is clearly unhappy with my jokes, but he needs to realize I'm old enough to make my own decisions. If both he and Dan think I'll let them interfere in my love life they're sadly mistaken.
"I know how old you are." He mutters.
"Oh, good. Now, try treating me like an adult." I respond, smirking.
He looks at the ceiling. "You know one day that mouth is going to get you into a lot of trouble."
I huff. "Well, until then I think we should call a truce."
"What kind of truce?
"You can't be mad that I'm growing up and I can't be mad that you still see me as your little sister." I explain, holding out my hand.
He looks at my hand distastefully which only serves to irritate me. I drop my hand and look at him in question. "I don't think of you as my little sister. I think of you as someone I care about." He clarifies.
"Oh, well you get the gist." I say, holding my hand out to him. Finally, he takes my much smaller hand in his and shakes it. "Now, I think you should go to bed. You're being particularly grumpy tonight." I point out.
"I'm not grumpy." He grumbles and I laugh.
"Oh, no not at all. You're all rainbows and butterflies."
"Goodnight." He says, stonily.
"Goodnight and thanks for the help."
"You're welcome." He responds, walking to the door. Its only when the door closes I realize he still has my underwear.