I walked back to Alex.
“Alex.” I called out. He turned away from the heavy set guy and walked to me. “We didn’t check the shed or the basement.”
“Reynolds said he checked the shed already. Do you want to double check?” Alex asked. I like how he didn’t ask me in a there-obviously-isn’t-anything-there way. He genuinely seems to care.
We walked to the shed and it was unlocked. I removed the lock and as I was about to open the door, Alex stepped in.
“So brave.” I said peeking over his shoulder.
Alex laughed and shook his head as he walked in. It’s like any simple shed. It’s a small tent with tools on the wall and boxes everywhere containing Declan’s things for cars. I turned on the light and glanced inside. I double checked for holes in the walls or anything that lunatic can climb in through and hide. It’s clear.
We walked back outside and I locked the door. I pulled the lock a few times just to make sure. Nowadays, you never know. We walked back to the front of the house when the guys were about to start the chainsaw.
“Sorry.” We said jogging past them both.
There was a new officer at the door when we turned a corner. He looked to be in his late forties with salt and pepper hair. He has stunning green eyes too. “Where’s the other guy?” I asked a little disappointed. Shit. I didn’t mean it like that.
“Officer Reynolds’ shift was up. I’m up to date on everything though.” He said. “I’m Officer Miles.”
“Did anyone go in the house?” I asked.
“No, Miss. Our job is to make sure of that.” He eyed me and Alex then he smiled.
“There are two men working on the house. Their things are in here so if they need to get it, they can come in. But watch them.” I said. He nodded. “Can I bring you anything?”
“No thank you, Miss.” He said.
“You can call me, Emily and this is Alex. What about the officer in the car? Does he need anything?” I asked.
Officer Miles smiled. “We fueled up before we came here. Officers need their donuts and coffee.” Alex and I smiled. Are we thinking about the same thing?
“I knew that rumor was true! If you need anything feel free to make anything. Mi casa su casa.” I said.
“Thank you Mis–Emily. Alex.” Miles said nodding.
Alex and I walked inside to head toward the basement. Alex moved the fake bush by the door and swung the door open.
“You’re a tough girl but you have a good heart.” Alex said turning on the light. “You care about people.” Who doesn’t?
“Thanks.” I said while looking down the stairs. “You want to go first?” I asked. He was brave with the shed, why not now?
“Is it that bad?” He asked turning to me.
“No. I just don’t like basements. They’re really creepy. Do you watch horror movies?! Bad things always happen in the basement.” I said.
“I get it.” He said smiling. He started going down the stairs and I followed. The basement isn’t bad. Mom renovated it into a game room and laundry space three years ago but it always creeped me out. Everything looks okay. The only thing left was the closet door in the back. As soon as I opened the door, the chainsaws started and I jumped. The noise was kind of blocked out down here so I recovered quickly.
“When these guys leave we can go back to my place.” Alex said eyeing the pool table. “Everything’s fine so your mom will be happy.” Our eyes met. “Your guy seemed nice.”
“He is. And dreamy.” I said. Alex set his mouth in a line. “But he’s not my type.” I said picking up the eight ball and letting it roll across the table. Alex surprised me by grabbing me and turning me until my butt was against the table. His lips found mine and I was lost again. Last night was nowhere on my mind right now.
Then Alex pulled away from me as his eyes searched my face. “I’m sorry.” Sorry? For what? “I don’t…you…is this okay?”
I knew this would happen one day. A man can’t grab me and kiss me like that without thinking he’s forcing himself on me. I let my hands brush down his arms. “I’ve never met a guy like you.” I said. “You make me forget about everything.” I stepped closer to him. Those lips are calling my name. “And you drive me crazy.” Just one kiss. “It’s okay.” I said before pressing my lips to his.
“I drive you crazy?” I nodded. He let out a small laugh. “You’ve been driving me crazy since I first met you.” He said finding my lips again. One minute were just kissing, the next, our hands are all over one another. Mine slid under his shirt to touch his skin. Any part will do. And it worked. Alex picked me up and set me down on the pool table. His lips moved past my mouth, down my jaw to my neck. I closed my eyes and enjoyed every second of his sweet torture. Our clothes should be off.
There was a loud thump then Alex stopped moving his mouth over my body. Another thump then the chainsaws stopped.
Damn trees! “We should go upstairs.” Alex said pulling back.
“Umm…yeah. We…” I stared at the ground trying to find the right words. “They’re done already.” I finally said jumping off of the pool table. “Alex…” He turned and looked at me. I don’t want to go back upstairs. I want to stay here and go back to what we were doing. What would he think if we just did it? Right now. I don’t want to know. Way to go. Have sex in the basement on the pool table. Real classy. Just a random hook up and he’ll leave. I thought. “Never mind.”
We walked back upstairs and waited a few minutes so the guys could finish up. “That was quick.” I said as Jessie grabbed his things.
“They got shredded and we cleaned up everything. Good as new.” He said handing me a card. “If you need anything else, call me.”
“Thanks for everything. Just wait one second. Let me grab my purse then we can go.” I said mainly to Alex. I ran upstairs and grabbed my stuff. By the time I got downstairs, the men were gone. “Where did they go?” I asked. “I didn’t even pay them.”
“I took care of it.” Alex said. I sighed.
“Alex, I can do things on my own you know. After what you did for me and my family…I don’t want you blowing money on us.” I said trying to stand my ground.
“I just wanted to help.” He said kissing me as I got downstairs. Yeah, he knows that will work. “You’re going to have to get use to me being nice.”
I really am but I don’t want to. I don’t need a man to pay for my stuff. I had jobs in the past. I supported myself. I sighed and walked toward the front door. I armed the house and locked up.
“Nobody should be coming by. I’m bringing my family here so if someone says they were invited…do whatever cops do.” I said to Officer Miles.
“Yes Ma’am.” Ma’am. Oh, c’mon.
We drove back to Alex’s without locking lips. That’s what I call self-control. “Do you think they’re happy to go back home?” I asked Alex as we walked up the steps of his place
“I don’t know. If they’re not, they’re still welcome to stay here. I really don’t mind.” He said. The things I want to do when he said that.
I found Declan waiting on the couch as we walked in.
“Did you go home?” He asked putting his phone away.
“Yeah. Are Scar and Mom still sleeping?” I asked.
“No, they’re getting their clothes ready.” Declan said staring at Alex a bit longer. “We’re happy to go back. I mean your house is great, Alex but it’s your house. You need your privacy too.” I held my breath. Ohmygod. Is he talking about yesterday? I turned my head away and blushed. Fuck me.
“All right…I’ll get their things and we can go.” I said running up the stairs. I left Alex down there with my wolf of a brother. He’s out for blood. He doesn’t like me and guys in the same room. Alex was right behind me smiling as I grabbed my suitcase. “Ohmygod, did you hear what he was saying?” I asked throwing my clothes inside making sure I didn’t leave anything behind. Embarrassing. “You don’t have to come back to the house.” I said. “You do…whatever it is you
do.” I said looking up. “Then I can come by so we can go out.”
“Are you sure? I don’t mind helping.” He’s too nice.
“I’m sure. I have to take a shower and my clothes are there… You know how long girls take to get ready.” I said.
“Okay.” Alex said.
I finished packing up and headed over to Scarlett’s room. They were ready so Alex and I grabbed everything and stuffed everything in Declan’s car.
Scarlett came down the stairs with help from Mom so I offered to help. I slipped her on my shoulder and helped her out.
“Emily, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Bryan sooner–”
“It’s okay.” I said cutting her off. “We talked about this.” I’m okay with it now. They wanted me to feel like we were a family. We were until David fucked that all up.
I got Scar in Mom’s car then they disappeared on me. Just like that.
“I’ll come by around six. Do you have anything to do in the meantime?” I asked Alex.
“Yeah, I’m getting rid of the cars today.” He said with a wicked look in his eyes. “We’re going to break some laws tonight so be ready to run.”
I nodded then glanced at the Camaro. “Thank you for him, Alex. You’ve been nothing but good to me.” I said. “I am going to pay you back. Someday.”
“I won’t accept it.” He said. I was about to say otherwise when he gave me a look. “Ever.” Then he kissed me and the topic was dropped. He knows how to get me to shut up.
“I should go…” I said pulling away from him. Now is not the time for this. He held onto my hand as I walked away and I laughed. “I’m coming back later. Alex…this is unhealthy. I think you’re obsessed with me.” I joked. “I’ll be back.”
“I’ll be here.” He said letting me go.
I walked toward the car with a smile on my lips. I started the car and drove home. My family was getting the suitcases out of the car when I slid under Scarlett’s body again to help her.
“C’mon. Let’s get you some food…you feel like a feather.” I teased. Officer Miles was still there and asked if we needed help. And people are scared of cops. They’re harmless. I should know. I know one very well. Drew. He’s back in Stoneham. With Mark and Christy.
I disarmed the alarm, brought Scar to the kitchen and slid her onto a chair. Declan brought the suitcases inside with Mom following behind until she stopped to talk to Officer Miles.
When she came inside she went start to cooking like she never stepped foot out of the house.
“I missed your cooking.” I said finishing up the delicious stir-fry Mom made.
She grabbed my hand and kissed my forehead.
“Me too. I’m glad we’re home again.” Then she smiled at me. Like really smiled. “So…Alex…I like him.”
“Right. And he’s hot.” Scarlett said wiggling her brows at me. “Where have you been hiding him?” And the questions began.
After a long conversation about Alex, I brought Scarlett up to her room. “I have to take a shower but I’ll be right back when I’m done.” I said. She nodded and waved me out.
I picked dark blue skinny jeans, any shirt that was close and a sweater. I saw my heels lying on the ground and decided they weren’t that high. I can run in anything. I also want to look good. Alex and I could get some dinner in downtown Boston before we go break the law.
I started the shower and hopped in. It felt good letting the water run over my body until it reminded me of Alex and his mouth and hands on my body. Let me say it’s not a good idea to think of a guy touching you when you’re in the shower. My legs got wobbly and I almost fell. Twice.
I glanced at my body in the mirror and was glad to see the bruises fading away. It was one in the afternoon so I have plenty of time. I put on some comfy clothes then went to Scarlett’s room.
“I thought you weren’t coming back.” She said.
“I told you I was. How are you feeling?” I grabbed her stuffed bunny and laid down beside her. She got this thing when she was sixteen, she kept it ever since.
“Better. I don’t heal as fast as you but it doesn’t hurt that much anymore.” She said. I instinctively put my hand to the cut under my left breast. It doesn’t hurt anymore and I think it’s healed. Scar and I are going to have scars to remind us of what happened. Great.
“Christmas is Wednesday. We’re not doing anything, right?”
“I don’t think so. We don’t even have a tree.” She said.
“We have everything we need anyways.”
We got to talking until she yawned. She’s tired and I was a bit tired so I asked if she wanted to take a nap. She talked about Alex instead.
“Are you guys seeing each other later?” She asked.
“We’re going out, yeah.” She turned to face me.
“Going out with him or going out with him? Friend date or more?” The grin on my face gave it away. “You didn’t tell me! I know I’m older but still, you’re my sister. We’re supposed to talk about everything. When did this happen?” She asked.
“To be honest I don’t really know. We’ve been spending a lot of time together and…I don’t know what we can call it right now but whatever it is I like it.” I said.
“Did you guys have sex yet?” She asked.
“Well that was directly to the point. No, we didn’t.”
“Oh, I thought you did because you guys were sleeping in the same bed…so I figured…” Speaking of that…
“First, that doesn’t prove anything. I like him next to me. Second, no one complained. And third…I have to tell you this. We were about to…last night…at least I think we would have but Declan came in.”
“Same thing happened to me.” She said laughing. “I think Declan can smell sex in the air.” I stared at her wide-eyed.
“That just freaked me out. What should I do? Alex said it was okay. He could be lying.” I said. Right?
“Just don’t think about it. It happens to everyone.” She turned to face me. “And once you guys seal the deal, you’ll forget about it.” She said. “Are you…going to seal the deal with him?”
I let out a breath. “Scar…” I found her eyes. “He makes me forget about what happened. And whenever I think of him…I want to jump his bones and have sex.”
“I knew it. Don’t tell Declan or Mom that. Confide in me. I am after all the person who knows most about this. And you two have serious chemistry. Anyone who doesn’t see it is blind.” She said.
“What if…” I looked down at the comforter. “What if we do it and that’s it… He just moves on?” I asked.
She shook her head. “That guy looks at you like you’re his queen. Seriously, I want someone like that. Trust me, Em. Once you guys do it, you two will be inseparable.” I’d like to think.
“It’s not too early…he won’t think… I’m easy?” I asked.
“He’s not that kind of guy.” She said. Like she even knows?
“Okay…enough about me. It’s time we take a nap.” I kissed her forehead and we dozed off.
***
“Emily?” Someone pinched my arm and I shot up. Scarlett.
“That hurts!” I said glancing over at the window. Oh, shit. “What time is it?” I asked jumping out of bed.
“It’s after eight. What time was your date?” Scar asked.
“Six. Shit! I have to go.” I said walking into my room and changed. I grabbed my phone. I missed Alex’s call. Great. As I left my room I called Quinn’s Pizzeria. Every other restaurant must be packed by now so we’ll have to settle for that. I got to Quinn’s in fifteen minutes and found a parking space in front. I grabbed my purse and headed inside. I was halfway down the aisle when I looked up and saw familiar blue eyes looking back at me. Bryan. I smiled and he looked away. Ouch. That hurt.
I grabbed the pizza and fries and tried not to look hurt. Bryan was with a girl I knew from school but they didn’t look up at me. I felt something tighten in my chest as I walked straight to my car. We haven’t
talked since I told him he’s my brother. It must be hard for him but I miss him.
I put the car in drive and drove to Alex’s place. The lights were on so that’s good. He’s home. I parked in the driveway and jogged up the stairs. I rang the doorbell and a few seconds later Alex stood there holding the door open. “I’m so sorry, I fell asleep. I brought this.” I said shaking the pizza box lightly. “I wanted to go to dinner but the place closes early on Sundays.” I said.
“Is that the pizza that’s to die for?” Alex asked letting me in. I nodded. “Then it’s perfect.” I set it on the kitchen table while Alex grabbed two Cokes. “We could have done this another time.”
“I wanted to come.” I said as our eyes met. Then we sat down and ate pizza while we talked. “So what did you do?” I asked.
“Got rid of the cars and met up with a few people.” Alex said finishing his Coke. Jealousy shot through me.
“Girls?” I asked because I’m a woman. I just want to know.
He smiled and laughed softly. “I’m glad you came.” He said. He didn’t answer the question. There were girls. I’m good with that.
I looked over at the kitchen island and found a new bag of Skittles. I smiled and picked it up. “You like these?” I asked.
“Those aren’t mine. I thought you left them here.” Alex said.
“I hate skittles.” I said ripping the bag open. “Declan loves them.”
“Why do you hate them?” Alex asked walking up to me to grab one. He grabbed a red. Those are the only ones I tolerate.
“Bad history. When I was younger Declan and I use to toss them in the air and catch them. Not a good idea. It got stuck in my throat and I almost died.” I said shaking my head. “Declan and his friends haven’t stopped making oral sex jokes about it.”
“I can’t have them all at once. Doesn’t taste right.” Alex said.
“Can I let you in on a secret?” I asked. He raised his eyebrows and nodded. Everyone loves secrets. “I have these two friends…you don’t know them so don’t try this. During the summer we came up a code word. Just in case something bad happens and we find out…you know the drill. All of us hate skittles so it’s perfect. We never bring it up in a conversation so if one of us says skittles, then we know something’s wrong.” I said,
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