Love's Game (LarssonSiblingSeries#5)

CHAPTER FORTY

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY ❤️

DEXTER

I put my phone down for the tenth time, knowing that I can't be the one to make contact. It's three weeks since I saw Olive last, and my need to be near her is stronger than ever. I find myself checking our messages several times a day, my heart sinking every time her last seen updates without her messaging me.

I'm driving myself crazy.

I'm so out of routine, my head is going at a million miles a minute, the stupidest thoughts taking over me. I'm barely eating, only managing the meals they pump out at training, always leaving most of it when my stomach burns at the thought of Olive.

I decide after the next episode of a random Netflix programme I'm watching loads that I need to get some fresh air. I tell myself to get in the shower first, not really feeling like I want to, but knowing that I smell really bad after practice today. It's quick and I'm climbing into my jeans and a hoody in no time at all.

The apartment is empty of anyone but me when I grab some water from the fridge, Aaron out doing the latest chick he's after. I've learnt not to ask, it's hard to remember names when there's so many of them. As long as he's happy, so am I. I just know I couldn't be the one to do what he does.

I stop near the oven. "Hey, Alexa," I shout, watching the machine glow blue, "call Laine."

In a second, my phone lights up with my sisters name, her voice travelling down the speakers in no time. I'd imagine that she's putting George down for the night, the telltale sounds of water splashing causing me to think my suspicions are right.

"Hey, Dex, everything okay?" she says, giggling after when George let's out a huge squeal.

I smile, swallowing a huge mouthful of water. "It's Friday night and you're at home?"

"Yeah, you know I have a kid, right?" she laughs.

"I do, but I also know that George usually goes to Ed's on a Friday. Can you get up here? There's a cocktail tasting at The Fizgerald. Could be fun."

Laine sighs, "I don't go out."

"There's a first time for everything," I sing, throwing my water bottle in the recycling bin.

"It's too much effort and Beau is staying here instead," she responds.

"That's perfect because mama can babysit. Pack your shit for a few days and come spend some time with me. Come on. It'll be fun."

"I don't know," she takes a deep breath.

I know she's thinking about it. "Please, Laine. We can stay in the apartment if it's too much for you to go out. I feel so lonely right now."

In all honesty, I'm lost.

I don't know what I want anymore.

"I'll be there at eight. Let me get George to bed and then I'll set off."

My smile is real. "Fantastic. I'll put some wine in the fridge. Do you want me to order in Chinese?"

"Go on then. Order a lot because I've been fasting all day and I'm starving."

"Fasting?" my nose screws up.

"Yeah, my trainer put me on this plan. Intermittent fasting. It's good for fat loss and muscle gain."

And why the fuck is she trying to lose weight?

"I don't like the sound of that, Laine," I say, pulling out the drawer with all the takeaway menus stuffed in it.