Rock With Me(20)

Dumb brother.

And I want to tell him, so badly, about my job and Leo, because I know he’ll understand and listen, but I just can’t.

“Nothing to talk about.”

“Do you need help?” He asks softly, the blue eyes that match mine serious and worried.

“Nope.” I repeat and shake my head.

“You worry me, you know.”

“I thought I was the older sibling.” I wrinkle my nose at him and pat his back. “I’m fine.”

“Okay. I’m here.” He exhales and tugs my ear and then takes another sip of his wine.

“I know.” I’m mortified to feel tears trying to gather in the corners of my eyes, so I quickly change the subject. “So you guys are moving?”

“Yeah, if I can find a place that doesn’t suck.”

“Which means if you can find a place you love more than this one,” I respond with a smirk. “I know you love this house.”

“I do.” He nods thoughtfully and then his eyes turn to the top of the stairs. “I love them more, and we’ll out-grow this house soon.”

“I’m not helping you move. You have too much shit.” I finish my wine and laugh at his scowl.

“Well, it’s a good thing I can afford a moving company.”

“Good thing.” I agree and smile smugly. “But I’ll babysit.”

“You’re just using me for my kid.” He laughs and refills his wine. “Want more?”

“No, I have to go.”

“You’re leaving?” Nat asks as she jogs down the stairs.

“Yeah, your husband is boring me.” I wink at her and pull my jacket and scarf on.

“You’re so charming,” Luke mutters.

“I know.”

I hug them both and head out to my car and feel my phone vibrate in my pocket.

My heart rate picks up at the sight of a text from Leo and I have to remind myself that I don’t get to keep him.

He’s not mine.

I climb in my car, start the ignition and buckle my belt before I check the text, just to prove to myself that I’m not dying to see him again.

Because I am.

Where are you, sunshine?

God, I love it when he calls me sunshine.

I’m out.

Maybe, if I’m less than warm and friendly, he’ll go away.

Can I see you tonight?

Or not.

I do not want to be mean to him, but I can’t see him again. The longer I let a physical relationship progress, the harder it will be to stop seeing him later.

I don’t know how long I’ll be out. I may not come home tonight. You know how it is.

I take a deep breath and shift the car into drive and head toward home. Did I seriously just insinuate that I was with another man while I can still feel the after-effects of having him inside me every time I move?

When I can still practically smell him?

I am not that girl.

My phone chirps with another text and I raise the phone in my shaking hand.

I’ll wait.

He’ll wait?

Okay, if he wants a fight, I’ll give him a fight. Who the hell does he think he is, anyway?

I feel better with my anger simmering to the surface and make the drive home in record time. I park under the building in my spot and take the elevator up to my floor and find Leo leaning against the wall next to my door, his legs crossed at the ankles, reading something on his phone.

He has a plastic bag full of take-out.

“How long have you been here?” I ask as I move past him and unlock my door.

“Not long,” he answers, his voice calm. I refuse to look him in the face.

“Why are you here?” I hate how cold my voice sounds.

“I thought I’d bring you dinner.” He follows me inside my apartment and closes the door behind him, sets the bag of food on the coffee table and turns to me, shoves his hands in his pockets and rocks back on his heels.

“You should have called earlier. I already had a dinner date.” I swallow and look everywhere but at him, my stomach rolling.

“Look at me.”

“Leo…”

“Look at me, damn it.” My eyes find his and my knees almost buckle at the pain in his stormy gray gaze.

Fuck.

“What do you want from me?” I ask and plant my hands on my hips. “I don’t recall making any promises last night.”