Chapter 1 #2
Aiden hums and strokes mindless circles on my stomach, like it’s just as relaxing for him as it is for me. I love it when he touches my softer parts. It’s like a little reminder that the weight gain from my meds doesn’t mean I’m less likeable.
He drops his chin to my shoulder. “Gotta prepare for Hellfire Night today. Mickey is difficult to catch alone, and that’s making it harder than it should be to capture him.”
The blender stops, bathing the kitchen in silence.
I check the text thread with Brandon for a new message. The one I sent last night before falling asleep is still left on Delivered.
I sigh through my nose.
I hate this. This constant need to talk with Brandon makes me feel so clingy. Deep down, I want to be on his mind. I want to be special to him like he’s special to me.
Aiden plays with a lock of my hair and tucks it behind my ear.
His fingers drag over my throat, like he can’t stop himself from touching me.
I bite my bottom lip and lean my head toward his hand, silently urging him to continue playing with my hair because it feels good.
He’s always been affectionate with me, and I pray I never see the day he stops.
“You okay?” He curls a lock of my hair around his finger and gently tugs, a silent demand that I pay attention to him.
“Mm-hmm.” I lock my phone screen with a defeated sigh.
Aiden pinches my chin and turns my head so that I’m looking at him as he raises an eyebrow. “You’re barely saying anything to me this morning. Something’s up. Talk to me.”
“I’m fine, I promise.” My lips pinch together.
Aiden tightens his hold on my stomach and pinches my chin harder so I can’t escape his sharp gaze as he watches my every micro-expression.
I smile, shrugging off his concern and refusing to allow him to pry this information out of me. It’s embarrassing and not something I want to talk about.
Aiden is a playboy.
I’m introverted.
We’re on opposite sides of the spectrum, in two different worlds. He smooth talks his way into sleeping with whoever he wants, and I clam up and look for the nearest exit.
While squirming under his gaze, I consider asking him for help. He’d know all the ins and outs of how to win over a man. But I shove that thought aside.
Nope. Asking my brother for help would be weird.
He tilts his head, the dangling silver sword earring swaying below his ear from the slight movement. “If you’re sure, but you know I’m here for you. You know I’d do anything for you.”
I smile and place a chaste kiss on his cheek before stepping out of his grasp. “Thanks, but I’ll be okay.”
I pour the chai smoothie into my pink thermos, then check my phone for new notifications.
Aiden sidles up to me and leans his hip against the counter.
“You know, sis, I’ve noticed you’ve been more attached to your phone over the last few weeks.
” He takes advantage of me being distracted and plucks the thermos from my grasp.
“I’m feeling a bit neglected over here. Like I’m chopped liver or something. ”
I frown and try to snatch my drink from his hand. He smirks and holds it out of reach.
Rolling my eyes, I hold out my hand. “Because I’m talking to my friends. Now give it back.”
“Mmhm. Friends. Are any of these friends boys?” His smile sharpens, bordering on wolfish. It’s so unlike his usual easy, boyish grin.
“It’s not like it matters.” I fold my arms over my chest and raise my chin.
“So it is a guy.” Aiden lowers the thermos until the straw is right in front of his parted lips. His gaze drops down my body like he’s assessing everything that’s wrong with me.
My fingers ball into tight fists as Aiden looks me over as though he’s trying to find a reason a guy would ever want to talk to me as more than a friend. When his attention floats back to my face and catches the remnants of my insecurity, his eyes soften.
“Fuck, sis.” He pushes away from the counter, closes the gap between us, and hooks his arm around my waist. “I’m sorry. I was teasing you.”
“It’s okay.” I lean into his chest and bury my face in his shoulder while I hug him.
He rubs gentle circles on my back. “It’s not okay. I hurt you.” He kisses the top of my head and whispers, “I’m sorry.”
I smooth my hands over the bare skin that isn’t covered by his black crop top. “Are you staying out late again tonight?”
He drops his hand and steps back, eyeing me and catching on to my deflection. He always does. “Yeah. Don’t wait up for me. Like I said earlier, Mickey is busting my balls by avoiding being alone. It’s like he knows what we’re planning.”
“I don’t think he knows.” I shrug and glance at the pink thermos he’s still holding hostage. “He’s always been a coward and needed people around him to inflate his ego.”
Aiden follows the path of my gaze and considers the pink cup while he says, “You’re right when you’re right. Is this your green-tea chai?”
“Yep.” I narrow my eyes at him and reach for my cup.
“My favorite.” He beams a quick smile before wrapping his lips around the straw. His gaze meets mine, and he sucks a mouthful of my smoothie.
I sigh.
I knew it.
“You know I can make you one too, right?” I watch in mock annoyance as he gulps my drink.
Any second now and he’ll get a brain freeze from how fast he’s drinking it.
It doesn’t bug me as much as I make it seem whenever he samples anything I make for myself.
Sharing with him has been our thing since we were kids.
And Aiden seems to enjoy the hell I give him as much as I love dishing it out.
The corners of his lips kick up in a mischievous grin, and he swallows the mouthful. He licks his bottom lip, catching stray droplets of the smoothie as he hands me the cup. “It doesn’t taste as good when you make one for me.”
I raise an eyebrow and snatch the cup from him. “Because it’s not mine?”
“Exactly. It’s always sweeter when it’s yours. I’ll see you later.”
I roll my eyes and sip my smoothie as he walks away. My phone chimes with a new text, and I dive for it on the counter. I grin and let out a little squeal at Brandon’s name displayed on the screen.
Brandon
You still up for playing later?
Always.
Cool.
What are your plans for today?
Shopping around. I’d like to find some more stuff to add to my new cosplay. What about you?
Work.
Is the cosplay for next weekend at Otaku Con?
“Otaku Con is next weekend?” I blanch when I check the calendar app.
Holy shit. It is next weekend. How did I lose track of time? I thought it was happening in a few weeks and that I had time to get ready.
The notification bar lowers with a new text from Brandon.
Brandon: I’ll be there with a friend. Maybe we can meet up?
Brandon: You can bring the biker friend as a date. *smirk emoji* It’ll be fun.
I stare at the last message, ignoring the gaping hole in my chest.
That can’t be good if he’s suggesting I bring Aiden with me.
Maybe I should talk to Aiden about this. Get the insider scoop from a man and take notes on what I should do and say to be alluring to Brandon. Plus, he’ll need an explanation for why I’m dragging him along with me to Otaku Con.