TAILSPIN

by Jaimie Roberts

  Keeping a protective arm around Devon, I look up at Charlie. He looks so angry. “None of whatever happens between us should affect your relationship with Devon. I would never make you choose sides.”

  “It’s not about choosing sides. If he hurts you, I’ll fucking break his legs.”

  “And I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Devon says, trying to stand up. I help him, and once he’s on his feet, I turn back to Charlie.

  He motions his hand to me. “When were you going to tell me and Dad about this?”

  I’m about to respond when Devon cuts me off. “We wanted to tell you, but—”

  “Don’t cover for me, Devon.” I look back at my brother in defiance. “I wanted to keep us a secret simply because I knew you would react like this.”

  “So when were you planning on telling me? When I was in Afghanistan? When I was miles away from doing anything about it?”

  Walking closer to him, I point a finger at his chest. “There is nothing to do about this. What can you do?”

  He glares in Devon’s direction. “I can kick his fucking arse again.” He steps toward him, but I block his path.

  “Charlie, stop being a bull in a china shop. You knew I would find someone one day. I never thought it would be your best friend, but you can’t pick and choose how you feel about someone. I’ve known Devon just as many years as you have, and love him just as much as you do. Can’t you just accept that we’re together and that our relationship doesn’t have to get in the way of yours?” He’s still sneering at Devon, so I nudge him. “Charlie, I love you, but you need to calm down. I’m just as much involved in this as Devon is. Stop glaring at him and talk to me.”

  Finally, he relents, letting out an angry breath. When he looks down at me, I see his pained expression. It hurts me that he feels betrayed. “Do you know how fucking torn I am?”

  He points to Devon. “My best friend,” and then to me, “and my sister …”

  Looking into his eyes, I implore him. “I can understand how this would affect you, but there’s nothing to be afraid of. I’m a big girl who can handle herself.”

  “Believe me, I can vouch for that,” Devon says with a laugh.

  I see a flicker of a smile on Charlie’s face, but it quickly disappears. “When did you grow up, Andi Pandy?”

  Rolling my eyes, I shake my head. “Charlie, I’m twenty-six.”

  He throws his arms around me. “Yes, but you will always be that six-year-old girl who came crying to me all dirty because one of the neighbour’s sons thought you were cute and decided to pick on you by tripping you and making you fall in the mud. Do you remember? I had to go have words with him.”

  “That was twenty years ago. I was small and the boy was big. He didn’t have to be so mean.”

  “He liked you. Believe me, when I was that age, I picked on girls a lot.”

  “Yes, but you never once made them trip and hurt their knees, did you?”

  He squeezes me tighter. “No, but that’s by the by. I’m telling you that, to me, you will always be my little sister. I’ll protect you until my dying breath.”

  I nudge him with my head. “You’re too much, you know that?”

  “Come on, sis. Admit it. You can’t live without me.”

  I push at him. “Live without you? You just hit my boyfriend. I’m mad as hell at you!”

  I hear him growl. “Don’t mention that word. I don’t like it.”

  Pulling away from him, I raise an eyebrow. “What? Boyfriend?” He nods. I walk over to Devon, who’s now sitting up on one of his barstools. Snaking my arm through his, I stare back at Charlie. “Wouldn’t you rather it be this than we were just using each other for sex?”

  Charlie shakes his head, covering his ears. “Don’t start mentioning that shit to me. As far as I’m concerned, you’re still a virgin.”

  Ignoring him, I turn to Devon. “Are you okay?” He nods, giving me a gentle smile. I inspect his eye and lip. Both are swollen. “I’m getting you some ice.” I point to Charlie. “Don’t you move a muscle. If I see you go near him, I’ll scream bloody murder. You got that?”

  I hear Devon chuckle. “See. I told you she can hold her own.”

  “I’m still not sure I want to talk to you,” Charlie snarls.

  Taking the ice tray out from the freezer, I place it down harder than I should, causing them both to look. “Will you stop being so juvenile? What’s done is done. Can’t we learn to live with it and move on?” I grab the ice, place it inside a cloth, and bring it over to Devon. I hold it over his eye for a bit before moving to his lip. His lip looks worse than the rest of his face.

  On a sigh, I turn to Charlie. “You’re going away in a couple days. I don’t want to spend it fighting with you.”

  His shoulders visibly relax as he lets out a defeated sigh. “I don’t want to fight, either—”

  “Why then?” I say, cutting him off, but he talks over me.

  “But you have to understand. I just found out about you two ten minutes ago. I can’t just switch off wanting to protect you.”

  I’m about to say something when Devon places his hand on mine. I look at him, seeing him smile. “Can I say something now?”

  I chuckle softly. “I’m sorry. Of course.”

  He looks at Charlie. “I understand how you can think the worst of me. My track record isn’t exactly the best in the world. But what you do know about me is that my word is my bond. I’ve kept every promise I have ever made to you. I’m not asking you to accept us being together with open arms right now, but all I ask is that you take time to think about it. In the meantime, I want you to know that I will never, ever hurt Andi. You can rest assured that while you’re away, I will carry on your job as protector. You won’t have to worry about a thing. I promise that my intentions with Andi are completely honourable. I tried to fight my feelings. I really did. But you and I both know that she’s not someone you can easily ignore.”

  He smirks, making me nudge him. “Hey,” I say, smiling. We stare at each other, then Charlie clears his throat.

  “I still don’t fucking like this, but I promise I’ll think about it. In the meantime, let’s enjoy the next couple days we have.”

  I smile. “That’s better. I love you, Charlie, but you can be a real arse sometimes.”

  “And you,” he says, pointing at me, “are going to send me to an early grave.”

  I roll my eyes again. “You’ll send yourself by stressing over insignificant things. What are you going to be like if you have a daughter? I actually fear for her.”

  “Hey, don’t mock me. I’m just looking out for you.”

  I smile. “I know, brother dearest, and I appreciate it.” I place the ice over Devon’s eye again, looking at him with a smile.

  “I’d better go. Staying here watching you two isn’t helping. I would drag your arse out of here, but it already looks like I’m too late to stop anything from happening.” I’m about to answer when he holds a hand up. “Nope. I really don’t want to know. I’ll just pretend you were eating lots of chocolate and were in his room about to wash it off. Totally innocent,” he says, looking away.

  “I’ll tell Dad at dinner tomorrow. In the meantime, go home and cool off. You’ll feel better about it in the morning.”

  He starts to walk to the door. “I don’t know if I’ll ever feel better about this.” He motions to both of us, then looks at the sheet wrapped around me. “Can’t you put some clothes on?”

  I glare at him. “I thought you were going.”

  His lips thin into a hard line. “I can’t fucking deal with this. I’m out of here.” Charlie storms off, slamming the door, making me jump.

  I turn to Devon. “Are you okay?”

  He gives me a soft look, placing his hand on my arm. “I’m fine. Believe me, I’ve had a lot worse than this in my time. One time, my mother threw a frying pan at my head because she saw me washing them after making myself something to eat. She was furious I had taken money to buy foo
d.”

  I close my eyes, trying to shut out the image. For Devon, this was all too real. “Did she hurt you badly?” I’m not sure I want to know, but I have to.

  “I had a hairline fracture. I was sick for a few months and had a lot of headaches for a while, but I got over it.”

  I frown. “Didn’t the hospital question how you got the injury?”

  He laughs lightly. “Yes, but I told them I fell down the stairs.” He notices the expression on my face. “I know what you’re thinking. Classic excuse for someone who is being abused. It’s just that I had my brother to look after. I knew if I went to a foster home, we would have been separated. Not to mention that I could have gone to a home just as bad, if not worse. I heard the nightmare stories of people in foster homes.”

  “Yes, but not all of them were bad. You could have been put into a loving home.”

  “But for how long? And where would my brother go? These were all things I had to consider back then.”

  Feeling bad for him, I sigh. “You were just a child. You shouldn’t have had that responsibility put on your shoulders.”

  “What’s done is done.”

  I smile. “Yes, and look at you now. At least you turned your situation into something positive. You’ve done so well for yourself. I’m proud of you.”

  Devon offers me a bright smile. “You know, you’re the first person who has ever said that to me.”

  Tears threaten. I am blessed with a family who loves me. I could never imagine a mother being so cruel. “Well, it’s true. How can one not be proud of you?”

  Devon searches my eyes, sweeping a strand of hair from my face. “I’ve never known someone who is as beautiful on the inside as the outside. I’ve known that about you for years. When I watched you and Charlie growing up, it used to make me jealous. He was so fiercely protective of you, and you … you just loved him. I could see it in your eyes. I never once saw you fighting like a brother and sister normally would. It was heart-warming. At the same time, I felt resentful of the fact I never had that in my life.”

  I swallow, looking into his beautiful eyes. “Do you still feel that way?”

  “Of course not. Why would I when I have that in my life now?” I smile brightly. “What?”

  “It’s just hard to imagine someone who’s been such an arsehole to me at times saying something so sweet.”

  Caressing my cheek, he shakes his head. “I was only an arsehole to try and keep you away from me. It was my way of coping with the fact that I wanted you, but couldn’t have you.” He looks at the door before glancing back at me. “I knew this would happen. I don’t think Charlie will ever get over me betraying him like this. One of the reasons I kept away was because he’s like a brother to me.”

  Hearing him say this makes me feel bad. “I don’t want to be the cause of all this between you.” I sink onto a barstool, defeated.

  Devon leans forward, cupping my face. “Hey, don’t talk like that, okay? It wasn’t your fault. None of this is your doing. I realise Charlie will feel sore about this, but he’ll come around. He’ll have to because I’m not going anywhere.” He smiles, making my own face light up.

  “Is that right? What if I try to escape?”

  He pulls me toward him. “Then I will have to hunt you down and drag you back to my lair where I will ravish your body.”

  God, this man certainly knows what buttons to press. I’m already on fire and he’s hardly touched me. “Hmm, maybe I should escape just so you’ll carry out your threat.”

  He raises an eyebrow. “Says she who likes control. I feel I may have to gain that back.” He presses his lips to mine and instantly pulls back. “Fuck, that hurts.”

  I sigh. “My brother, the contraceptive.”

  “My face may be sore, but the rest of me isn’t.” He waggles his eyebrows before scooping me into his arms.

  I scream. “Devon!”

  “Shut it, wench. I’m taking you to my lair.”

  Other than a laugh, I don’t respond… I certainly won’t be protesting that!

  “You’re fidgeting.”

  We’re in Devon’s Ferrari on the way to our family meal at Dad’s favourite Italian restaurant. I look forward to the food, but not to how my dad will react to the news of Devon and I. Not to mention a certain brother of mine whom I’m still mad at.

  “I suppose I’m still mad at Charlie.” I gaze out the window at the cars we’re passing, the passengers all looking. Devon’s car is hardly unnoticeable. I can’t even count the amount of times he’s stopped at traffic lights and people have taken their phones out to take pictures.

  “So this has nothing to do with the fact we’re telling your dad about us today?” I look at him and sigh. He takes my hand, placing it on his leg. “I’m sure he’ll be fine.”

  I look at Devon’s relaxed expression. “Aren’t you nervous?”

  “As hell,” he laughs.

  “You don’t seem it.”

  “Years of practice. When you’re a fighter pilot, you have to remain cool as a cucumber or you’ll end up making big mistakes. Mistakes you can’t afford to make.”

  “Well, you’re not in the Forces anymore, and I’m more like a chilli than a cucumber right now.”

  He glances at me before laughing. “I can definitely vouch for you when you say you’re a chilli. I’ve never met someone so fiery.” Picking my hand up, he kisses it. “Especially in bed.” He winks before letting my hand go to change gears.

  “Do you ever not think about sex?”

  He laughs. “Not when it comes to you.”

  “You think you’re so smooth, don’t you?”

  “Ah, so you’ve noticed?” He smirks at me, making me shake my head, as he parks.

  Taking a deep breath, I swallow hard. Devon turns off the engine and grabs my hand. “We can do this. I’m with you, okay? We’re in this together.”

  Once I nod, he gets out of the car and runs over to my side to open my door, passersby gawking as we do. I step out and he grabs my waist, pulling me to him.

  “Have I told you that you look stunning this evening?”

  I smile, remembering the several times he told me as I was getting ready earlier. Mind you, in the red chiffon dress I bought in New York, I feel positively sexy. But it helps when you have someone constantly tell you that you are.

  “I believe you have,” I tease. “Have I told you that you look good enough to eat tonight?”

  He has his hair slicked back, but spiked in the front. He also hasn’t shaved in a few days, so his five o’clock shadow is more pronounced. I believe he stopped shaving for a few days because I told him how sexy he looked with stubble. He’s wearing a short-sleeved pale pink shirt tucked into some beige khaki trousers, which hang low on his hips. I love the way they stop just above that pert arse of his. I run my hand down his back until I reach just under one cheek. I squeeze, causing Devon to jump a little.

  He growls. “Carry on like that and I’ll have to forgo the meal and take you back to my lair.”

  I pucker my lips. “Oh, promises, promises.”

  Smacking my arse, he grabs my hand. “Come on. We’re already a couple minutes late.”

  I check my watch. “Oh shit.”

  “Indeed,” he agrees. “I have never been late for anything in my life. Your bad habits are rubbing off on me.”

  I huff. “I don’t have any bad habits.”

  “Really?” he asks. I nod in defiance. “Okay… What about you putting your feet up on my coffee table, or drinking the orange juice right from the carton rather than pouring yourself a glass?”

  “One, I have socks on when I put my feet up on your coffee table. And two, I’m just saving unnecessary washing up.”

  He leans forward to whisper in my ear just as we walk into the restaurant. “And you snore.”

  “I do not!”

  Devon smirks. “You do, but it’s sexy.” He winks before addressing the host. “We’re here for a party of four. The name should be under
Bellingham.”

  The man looks down at the notepad. “Oh yes. Follow me, please.”

  He leads us toward the back of the restaurant. I see my dad and Charlie sitting in one of the booths. When we spot each other, I smile, but notice the scowl my brother still has on his face. He obviously hasn’t cooled down any.

  When the waiter walks up, Devon quickly orders our drinks, then my father rises to shake Devon’s hand. “Devon, how are you? Glad you could come.” He narrows his eyes when he sees his face. “Wow, who did that to you? I hope the other guy looks worse.” As we sit down, I laugh nervously. My dad notices the tension as he gazes at us. “Is there something I should know?”

  Shit, I had hoped not to have to address Devon and I so soon.

  Placing my hands on the table, I lean forward, clearing my throat. “Dad, there’s something you should know.”

  He looks ashen. “You’re not pregnant, are you?”

  “No!” I protest, then calm. “No, it’s just … well …” Devon places a hand on mine. I look over at his encouraging smile. When I look back, I see Dad staring at our hands. “As you can see, Devon and I are together.” I let out a breath. There. It’s out in the open.

  My father stills, saying absolutely nothing. He looks to be a cross between shocked and confused. Then clarity seems to form as he stares at me. “Well, that explains your brother’s strange behaviour since yesterday.” He turns to him. “Were you responsible for this?” He gestures at Devon’s face.

  Charlie glares at Devon. “Yes, and I’d do it all over again if I had to, the little shit.”

  “Eh!” Dad says, nudging him. “You’re not too old for a smack, you know. I thought I brought you up better than that.”

  “So you condone this?” Charlie asks, motioning toward us.

  “Stop your blabbering and let me get a word in.” With a frustrated tut, my dad shakes his head, making me laugh. Charlie glares at me, so I glare back, sticking out my tongue. “Have we suddenly gone back fifteen years? I thought you two were adults.”