The Boy Next Door

Chapter 42

I knock at the door softly, earning Alex's attention. She pops a piece of popcorn in her mouth, her hand patting at the bed beside her. "What's up?"

I grab one of her pillows, tucking my arms under it as I go to lay on my stomach. I awkwardly stop myself and sit criss crossed instead, the pillow now resting in my lap.

Adrian and Harrison took Aiden out almost two hours ago, leaving me, Alex, and her parents. I was enjoying the alone time, as I took a much needed nap. I threw up at the restaurant a little, quickly learning that morning sickness isn't subjected to just the morning.

Thankfully, we didn't have to leave the restaurant early and nobody asked any questions. I don't think they suspect anything about the baby, which makes me more excited for when we tell them tonight.

"Nothing much. I just wanted know about the receptionist position."

She nods her head quickly, pausing whatever movie she has on. "Right. Yeah, so I talked to my boss and she asked if you could start Monday? I'll come down and help you get adjusted and everything."

"Yeah, that's perfect." This will be another thing to talk with Aiden about, being he'll have to drive me there. Thankfully, the company buildings are relatively close to each other, but that doesn't mean it'll necessarily be something easy to factor in.

I know I'll start looking into cars after I work for a month or two, just to save up a few dollars. I can't wait to start contributing something, as Aiden seems to always getting the short end of the stick for these things.

Hell, he's given me money, he's driven me around most places, he's letting me move in after the also finding out about the baby—it just sounds like a lot being out in his end by me.

A light bump against my shoulder brings me out of my thoughts. Alex's brows are softly knitted as she brings the hand full of popcorn to her mouth. "You good? You look stressed already." She jokes.

"Yeah. Yeah, just thinking about some other things."

"Wanna talk about it?" She asks sincerely, but I shake my head. No need to bore her with these thoughts, I can handle this. "Okay. I'm here anytime if you need anything."

"I know. Thank you, Alex." I lean over and give her a quick hug before standing from the bed. My tongue clicks, creating a soft sound, as I walk down the hall of the quiet house. Is it always like this?

I doubt it was anywhere close to quiet when they were growing up, especially with how close in age they are. My house was relatively quiet, unless my friends were over, Derek and I were arguing, or he was yelling at the game.

I stop in my tracks at the thought of Derek, memories of what Aiden told me about him and Alex coming back to me quickly. Turning on the balls of my feet, I walk back down to her room, forgetting to knock this time.

"Alex?"

"Hm?" She hums, glancing between me and the television. I sigh while twiddling my fingers in front of my stomach, the conversation I'm about to bring up making me anxious.

"I don't mean to bring up anything troubling, but Aiden told me you knew my brother." I begin. Her undivided attention was fully given to me, her eye contact making this even harder. "Um, Derek—Derek Woods."

Her jaw tenses slightly, almost unrecognizable if I wasn't so trained on her face. It looks as if realization and distant memories dawn on her in this moment, her fingers fumbling with the few rings she has in the process.

"Huh... haven't heard that name in some years." She mutters more to herself. Her eyes flick back to mine, "that's your brother?"

I nod, somewhat shamefully. She juts her bottom lip out while looking over at me, her head slightly tilted to the side. "Well, uh... how is he, I guess?" I didn't expect her to ask that, but her tone of voice honestly shows how disinterested she is about his well being.