The Heart Series: Complete Boxed Set (91 page)

His eyes lifted to meet mine. “You aren’t afraid to hold back in public. I think you had most people smiling at your antics.”

“We’re just two of a kind. We’ve always had a strong bond, similar personalities. I love the bones of her even if I want to strangle her most of the time.”

“I think you can more than hold your own with her,” he added with a smile.

“I am blessed in that way. I guess god gave me a huge personality, and well, I’m not one to hide away.” I would always remain out and proud, that was just the way I was and no one would ever tell me different.

“Was it hard?” Ollie asked.

“What?”

“Coming out?” He almost whispered the words like he was too afraid to say it out loud.

“How did you possibly know I was gay?” I teased, shooting him a wink, and he blushed even deeper at his intrusive question. God, he was really awkward, but I couldn’t help but take delight in his response. I had gotten so used to sparring with B all the time that it was strange that someone reacted so much to my teasing.

“Sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything . . .” he mumbled.

“Hey, it’s fine. I guess I’ve always known. I felt different from other guys, at first I didn’t want to accept it but then I thought, fuck it, just go with it, and I’ve been out and proud ever since.”

“What were your parents like about it? Were they fine?”

I exhaled loudly before I spoke. “Hmmm, well my mum was amazing. If I didn’t know any better, I would say she was delighted. We love the same things. She’s brilliant that way, so supportive and loving, never once has she wavered, and I love her even more for that. But my dad, well, let’s just say if I thought I had disappointed him already, I took it to a whole new level. It’s been over a year since we’ve spoken. I got a card with some cash inside but it’s like we’re strangers now. I guess I was never the son he wanted, the son he imagined, but it’s his loss.” I bent my head down, trying to disguise the tears beginning to fill my eyes. Why the hell did I still let it get to me? He wasn’t worth one single solitary tear, yet here I was feeling like I wasn’t good enough to warrant any time with him together.

His warm hand brushed up against my skin, and I flinched slightly. He quickly shifted away looking alarmed by my response, but the strange part was how much I welcomed it. I hadn’t had any proper boyfriends, mostly I’d just experimented with guys, which rarely lasted a few days. I never had any kind of connection, but with Ollie it was weird, it was like I’d known him forever. It was hard to explain, to feel that comfortable in someone’s company after barely minutes. I was always someone who could put people at ease with my humour, but this was different. I felt relaxed in his company and part of me was scared what that meant.

I lifted my eyes to meet his and smiled, his instantly warmed and he reciprocated. His smile was sweet, showing a little teeth, and his eyes were crinkled at the corners.

“So how about you, what’s your story?”

He frowned at my words almost hesitant to answer. I guess he wasn’t quite ready to offload. I suppose we had only known each other a matter of minutes. He cleared his throat, drawing out his reply but then looked up, his eyes meeting mine. He paused before he finally replied only for the door to be flung open.

“Ollie, there you are. Why are you hiding up . . . what are you doing here?” She stopped dead in her tracks and her evil green eyes bored deep into mine. God, this girl was scary.

“Jessica, don’t be so rude,” Ollie snapped, coming to my defence.

“No, Oll, it’s fine, it’s just your sister being her usual charming self, that’s all.”

She snorted at my response, tossing back her long red hair in anger. “Piss off, Elijah, I’d like you to leave. I wasn’t aware you were even invited.”

“I wasn’t, me and B invited ourselves, but I think I’d better be going now,” I added, smiling at Ollie. I think I had overstayed my welcome; it was time to make a swift exit.

He frowned at my response. “You don’t have to go, just ignore her, I always do.”

Jessica’s eyes narrowed in disgust. “Don’t start. Oll, you want me to remind Mum about the smashed vase, how it wasn’t just an accident.” Jessica smirked.

What a bitch.

“Oh wow, sisterly love there, blackmailing your own brother, slow clap for you.”

Jessica’s eyes flashed to mine. “Fuck you, Elijah, don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”

I stood up, towering over her five foot six frame. “Bitch, please, if I leave, I leave in style. Oll, hand me your phone.” I quickly typed out my name and number into his contacts and handed it back smiling. “See you tomorrow, Starbucks say two p.m.?”

He grinned at my reply. “Yeah, great. See you then.”

“Errr, I don’t think so, you’ll be helping me clean the house before Mum gets back,” Jessica added, with her hands planted firmly on her hips.

“Errr dream on, your party, your mess.” Ollie snorted.

“Don’t push me, Oll.” She scowled deeper, any more and that bitch would have permanent lines.

“Jessica, enough with the threats, it’s beginning to get old, a bit like you. Maybe you need to look into Botox to help with the crow’s feet,” I added grinning, knowing it was her weak spot. God, she was so shallow.

“What crow’s feet?” she shrieked. Practically running towards the mirror.

“Ha, made you look. See you, Oll.”

He gave me a breathtaking smile that made my heart flutter. What the hell was going on with me? Whatever it was, I was enjoying it too much to stop.

“So you’re going on a date then?” Brianne asked, looking rather amused.

I almost choked on my coffee. “No B, god, stop reading so much into it.” I didn’t want her putting a label on something that had barely even started.

“Well, you’ve been talking about him non-stop, and I see the signs there, you like him, admit it. Do you want it to be a date?” She looked at me, the curiosity there in her eyes.

I cleared my throat buying some time. “No . . . well, I don’t know. It’s too soon to be even having this conversation.”

I didn’t want to discuss the matter further.

“Oh you really like him.” She grinned, quirking a brow. She always could read me well, despite how hard I worked to disguise it.

“Shut up,” I warned.

“Oh you really
really
like him.”

I exhaled in despair. “B, please.”

“Oh come on, it’s okay to admit it.” She nudged me playfully, waiting for my response.

I frowned. “I don’t even know if he’s actually—”

“Gay,” she cut in, looking surprised.

“Well yeah.” I sighed.

Was it possible I was barking up the wrong tree?

“Did it not come up?” Brianne asked, taking another sip of coffee.

“Well I had mainly done all the talking,” I admitted.

“Shocker.”

“Shut up, ya bitch!” I snapped. But she did have a point. I was always good at the talking part, sometimes barely drawing breath.

“Just telling it like it is.”

“You are exactly the same so you can hardly talk,” I huffed. Who was she to have a go at me?

She grinned at my retort. “And that’s why we’re best friends as well as cousins as we complement each other well.”

“That we do, I love you, B.”

“Oh don’t try to swerve my questions with your lovey dovey bullshit,” she mocked. She always avoided any form of affection.

I narrowed my eyes. “You can be a cold hearted bitch at times, you know that?”

“Of course, it’s one of my favourite attributes.” She stuck out her tongue in retaliation, and I shook my head.

“I swear you don’t have a heart, and if you do, it’s encased in ice.”

“Well I didn’t get the ice queen title for being Snow White,” she huffed.

“Pffttt, you and Snow White have nothing in common, evil queen, yes.”

That was more her role.

“I take that as a compliment.” She beamed with delight.

I snorted. “I’m sure you do.”

“I hate to spoil the fun, but this girl has got to get ready for her date.” She leapt up from the chair and grinned wildly heading for the door.

“Where is . . .?” I paused. Damn, I didn’t even know his name.

“Luke,” she added.

“Where’s Luke taking you?”

“We’re going bowling then for a bite to eat.” She clapped her hands excitedly.

I rolled my eyes at his choice of location. “Very original.”

“Oh quite bitching, you know I love to bowl.”

“More like you’ll be provocatively bending over to give him an eyeful.” I could almost guarantee it.

“Well there’s that too. I’m thinking of wearing the low cut top you know to really give him an eyeful.” She shot me a playful wink. I think she’d be giving more than Luke an eyeful, at this rate balls would be shooting in all directions once B arrived. I could just imagine it now.

“Seriously B, less skin, and he will want you more. A hint is just as good as the full floor show. Do you like him or is this just a quick fuck?” I knew I was being blunt, but I had to know just how far her feelings went.

She frowned at my words. “No, I like him.”

I smiled at her honesty, normally she wasn’t one to easily admit such things. “Then take my advice and this fair maiden might get her HEA.”

She snorted. “Oh please enough of that bullshit.”

“Quit your bitching and shower already, I need time to tame this hair before I send my girl out on her date.” She was not leaving this house looking less than perfect.

“What are you going—?”

“Never mind what I’m doing, you know it will be good.” I could guarantee it, even if I was blowing my own trumpet.

“Will you do my makeup too?” She smiled.

“Seriously? Stylist, hairdresser and make-up artist, anything else?” Stick a broom up my arse, and I’ll sweep the room while I was at it.

“Oh you love it really, admit it,” she teased.

My face broke out into a giant grin. “You know me well.”

“And that’s why I love ya.”

Before I could even reply, she sprinted off upstairs. She never could handle that level of sentimentality well. She came across as hard as nails, but underneath it all, she was craving the kind of love from a guy I was searching for myself. We put on an act as bravado, but we were both looking for the same thing and in my heart I hoped that we would eventually find it.

* * *

After much bitching about her outfit, her hair and her played down makeup, I ended up nearly shoving her out of the door for all her ungrateful attitude. I got a text five minutes later with a thank you, I guess it took her long enough. I rolled my eyes at her stubborn attitude and inability to just thank me in person. I sent her a quick one back, telling her she was welcome even if she was an ungrateful witch at the time. I knew that would evoke a smile. To most people our relationship shouldn’t work but to us it was the best, even if people watched on in complete surprise as we spouted all kinds of obscenities at each other.

I sat there flicking through the usual mundaneness the television had to offer, when my text alert went off. I snatched up my phone to see it was Ollie, but my smile soon turned to a frown reading his excuse about not meeting up. I was surprised by my response. It was just a casual coffee no more, yet in my head I was hyping it up, blowing it up because I wasn’t good enough. I replied with a simple okay. I couldn’t write anymore. Ollie sent me a quick reply in return, obviously noting my somber text, his reply made me smile. It was all to do with his bitchy sister and a family meal he couldn’t get out of, but he wanted to reschedule another coffee date soon. It was enough to stop my head from overthinking the previous message. I clicked on a few more stations then settled for a DVD. Loading up the microwave with popcorn, I left it to do its job while I slipped in the disc. Within minutes I was entranced by the film, sure, I’d watched it a million times before, but that’s when you know it’s a good one, when it has the inability to bore you.

Four hours later, one major sugar high and halfway between sleeping the front door slammed. I bolted upright only to witness a smug looking B walking through the door. I didn’t have to ask how the date went, her smile said it all.

“Hey, were you sleeping? Thought you had a coffee date?” she asked looking confused.

“Yeah, got blew out, so overdosed on popcorn and Channing, then fell into a sugar coma,” I explained, rubbing my eyes.

“That’s a good way to spend an afternoon, but why did he blow you out?” She tossed her jacket down and sat beside me.

“Family dispute, Jessica was behind the whole thing, I’ll probably get the gossip when I see him.”

“Ugh that bitch needs a slapping.”

Never truer words spoken.

“Pfftt, tell me about it, now wait, I want to hear about Luke. So how did it go?” I wanted to know everything.

“Ahhhmazing,” she shrieked, looking like the cat that got the cream.

“Ugh, you lucky bitch.” I was feeling envious already before she’d barely spoken a word.

“Jealous much?” she retorted.

“Yeah and I want all of the gory details.” She was not skipping a single thing.

“A girl might get thirsty with all the details, you maybe want to put the kettle on and make me a brew?” she replied innocently, leaning back into the sofa to get herself comfortable.

“What did your last slave die of?” I huffed, not amused by her blackmailing demands.

“Laziness, do you want all the details or not?”

“It had better be good for me to leave this sofa.” No sooner had I stood up, she quickly took my spot, snuggling into the warmth where my body had been barely moments earlier.

“Oh and don’t forget the biscuits,” she called out after me.

The bloody cheek!

Within minutes I was back, mugs in hand and a packet of biscuits shoved in my pocket. B quickly swiped them, taking little time to make her way through the first three without taking a breath.

“Good god, did he not feed you?” I asked, watching on in amusement.

She licked away the last of her crumbs. “Yeah, but I’m a growing girl.”

“The only thing growing are those boobs, put them away, will ya?” I lifted my hand up to shield my face. She was my cousin for god’s sake.

She chuckled. “Sorry, I did push them up a little so Luke would notice.”

“Trust me, a freaking blind man would notice those bazookas.” I averted my eyes to look past her till she pushed them back down safely inside her top.

“Oh shush and let me tell you all about how amazing Luke is.” She grinned.

“Go on, if you must rub it in, why don’t you,” I replied acting bored, when really I wanted all the juicy details.

“O-M-G, he’s perfect, like I know he’s hot, real hot, hell you’ve seen him.”

I rolled my eyes. “Yes, I can confirm he’s hot, so go on.”

She grinned. “Well he’s so damn sweet, he let me win because you know I suck at bowling.”

“Yeah, you suck so badly,” I added. She really did, one time her bowling ball ended up in a completely different lane. I always liked to remind her of it on occasion.

“Okay, we don’t need to stay on that point. So he let me win and he brought me to this lovely little bistro where we shared a bottle of wine over some overly fancy chicken dish, but it was perfect and he treated me like a lady.” She sighed as she finished her sentence. I could see the look of delight shining there in her eyes.

“That’s how you should be treated, B, I’ve told you.” All the time I tried to instill in her that she was worth more than the guys that she screwed.

“I know, I’ve just never felt good enough but today he made me feel special. He made me feel wanted, made me crave something I never thought I needed . . .”

I pulled her in closer to me. “Aww, so I guess you’ll be seeing him again?”

“Of course, we’re going to a paint ball place next.”

“Paintball?” I screwed my face up at the very thought. “I take it that was his choice?”

She giggled at my look of horror. “How did you guess?”

“Eww, the fact paint will be in places you never thought possible.” She’d be showering for days after.

She rolled her eyes at my over dramatics. “You are such a girl.”

“Honey, anyone that puts paint near my hair or body will get the paint gun firmly wedged between their bum cheeks.”

And I wasn’t joking.

“I’d pay to see that,” she added laughing.

“You filthy bitch.”

“Now stop being stingy and give me those damn biscuits.” She snatched them back from me before I even had chance to reply.

“You know they’ll just go straight to those hips.” I pursed my lips knowing I was right.

“Oh honey, my hips don’t lie, and right now they want those cookies.” She then proceeded to shove the whole cookie in her mouth. How on earth? Well it would explain her ability to pull men.

“Fine, just trying to save you a week’s hard slog at the gym.” She needn’t come whining to me later about her extra pounds.

“And why would I want to miss out on all the hotties and all those tight buns.”

Oh those tight buns.

I was already drooling.

“Does Gav still go there?” I asked casually. Gav was one of the hottest guys ever to grace a gym, just watching that body work out was like a work of art.

“Of course, he’s the floor show.” She looked at me like I was even crazy to ask.

“Hmm, maybe I need up sign up again?” I needed some hot male eye candy in my life. School was seriously lacking, and it had been a while since I saw some ripped guys.

“Hey, he’s mine to perv over, keep your eyes off!” she snapped.

I instantly scowled. “You can’t have everyone, I am allowed to perv over other people too.” God, she was so damn greedy at times, she didn’t share well.

“Not Luke though,” she added with a pout.

“Okay, okay, not Luke.” Well I could secretly perv, just without mentioning it.

“So when are you seeing him again?” I asked, dipping another biscuit into my coffee.

“Tomorrow,” she replied grinning, grabbing a biscuit from the packet to dunk in her own.

“That soon? You’re keen.”

It was worse than I thought.

“He’s hot, and he treats me like a lady. I think he’s a keeper.”