I - New End: Danielle ✔️

Part 2 - Hot shower

Ben/ I step into the kitchen with George on my arm, when I see Dannii bend over on the sink, head resting on her arms. Seems she's mumbling something to herself. When did she get that perfectly shaped ass?

Don't look at her ass you creep, she's your brother's girlfriend!

I don't see him anywhere, do you? A little devilish voice speaks to me.

Looking at George for back up, he frowns at me. How can this one year old read my mind?

Right! I nod at him in agreement and mimic 'I'm sorry'.

I walk over to Dannii and swing George upside down to face her.

"Hello auntie Peeterson, why are you so depressed?" I do my little baby voice. Maybe she'll relax if I'm acting goofy around her. I don't know, I'm just winging it, we've never been alone together for this long. I mean I've already tried to kiss her? I knew, I was fucked up, but that. Cole would never forgive me, if I kissed his girl.

She laughs. Ah yes, that's a win for me!

"It's auntie Dannii for you." She tickles the baby and continues. "And I'm not depressed!" She doesn't move to stand up straight, though.

I bend down, taking a seat on the floor and look up at her, as I sit George, on my lap.

"Are you sure?" I ask a bit uncertain.

She sighs, kneeling before actually sitting down next to me.

We stay like that for a few minutes, without saying a word. Shoulder to shoulder. Knee to knee. George is talking baby and laughing at his own jokes. Grabbing Dannii's thumb every chance he gets as she is caressing his little hand.

"You miss him right?" I break the silence, referring to my brother who's still overseas.

She nods, still not a word from her. The suspense is killing me. I hate it when she's so quiet and sad.

"Me too." My confession surprises us both. For one I'm the one talking. I never talk about my feelings. But also, my relationship with my brother has always been ... complicated. I'm the silent loner, he's the family guy, who needs the attention at every gathering. Everyone loves him, and they avoid me. Unlike Jackie and me he's more the competitive one of the family. Everything is a game to him and so we often don't see eye to eye. But he's my brother and he's in a war zone. So yess, I miss him too.

"He's been there for over five months now."

Her eyes burn on mine...

I've locked myself in my room these past few days. Hoping to get some work done. I came home earlier than planned so I have to get some drawings done for an important client.

Dannii is in the Cake Shop, like 24/7, to get all the orders for Christmas Eve done. My sister is her partner so she practically lives in the shop as well. When they are at home, Jackie is taking care of her son George.

And Dannii, well... She's gone back to being a master at avoiding me.

I don't understand women. I'm truly confused.

I've pushed out all the sexual thoughts I might have had about her, years ago. She was like another annoying little sister. We fought all the time, when we were younger. We've all pulled pranks on each other. I once put paint in the shampoo of the girls. They had to walk around with green hair for weeks. In return they painted my room in fluorescent pink, the day before my 17th birthday, ruining my 'guys only B-day party hangout'.

Those were some fun times.

But when I got back on Saturday, she wasn't pleased to see me. Not in her usual, now I hate you, now I don't, kind of way. It looked like she just didn't want me to be here. I felt unfamiliar, weirdly disappointed.