Chapter 25
TWENTY-FIVE
Zara
My entire breaks into a sweat as I walk out of the bedroom. I try to remember if I put any deodorant on, and whether it is antiperspirant, but I can’t think straight, so I don’t know. I mean, I’ve only been wearing the same deodorant for the last five years, why would I know, right?
Meanwhile, Kyle and Owen are having a grand ol’ time. They are talking up a storm, but I can’t say that I understand the topic of conversation.
I walk until I am closer to the couch where Owen is sitting. Kyle is in the chair opposite of him. He has a pen and paper in his hand, and he’s writing something. Actually, no, he’s drawing, not writing.
”Okay, so if the oxygen tank is here…” He points to a spot on the paper. “The rest of the equipment runs through here…”
”No, no, no,” my brother moves his arms around. “It’s the opposite.”
He grabs the pen and paper from Kyle, then tries to mark the spots he’s talking about, but when he turns the page around to show what he did, it’s just a bunch of scribbles, whereas Kyle’s drawing looks…
Wow, Kyle’s drawing looks amazing. I had no idea he was this talented.
This reminds me that I actually do not know Kyle at all. I know that he is very good in bed, and that despite the very rocky start we had in that department, today’s rounds proved to be very beneficial for us both.
I blush as I remember all the things he did to me, shaving of private parts included.
Once I made my way to the bathroom after we were done that time, I looked in the mirror, curious to see what it looked like with no hair.
That’s when I noticed that he hadn’t removed all the hair, but instead left a neat trail that started from the top of my mound and ended close to my clit. It felt clean and light. I liked it.
Moving to the side, I take a seat in the only available chair in the room. I remain quiet, almost scared to bring their attention to me. I’ve always been so over the top anal about bringing a man home that I never imagined it could actually be this easy.
”Sis!” Owen’s voice booms all around me.
Startled, I look up, surprised to find both guys looking at me. I was so deep into my thoughts, I didn’t realize that had stopped talking.
”I love your boyfriend,” he tells me. “Why did you wait so long to bring him by?”
My eyebrows raise in surprise. “Well, technically, I haven’t brought him by anywhere.”
Owen doesn’t look convinced. “Then how come Mitzi at your work knew all about him? Even mom knows more about him than I do.”
”What?” I squeak. “First of all, mom knows nothing.” I throw Kyle a look, hoping he’ll go along with me.
He shrugs. “I’ve only talked to her the one time. She was super chill. I wouldn’t mind talking to her again. And she said she’ll have us over for dinner, remember?”
”Kyle,” I snap at him. “You’re not helping!”
Owen spreads his legs in front of him while resting his arms on the back of my couch. The smirk on his face suggests that is thoroughly enjoying the show we’re putting on.
“Why are you even here?” I ask him.
His face turns into a mask of fake concern. “I was told that my sister was sick.” He looks at Kyle. “It sounded really serious.”
”I would’ve been worried, too, man,” Kyle agrees.
”So I rushed here,” Owen continues explaining. “I wanted to make sure that my baby sister was okay. Flu is nothing to joke about.”
I fidget in the seat, knowing that he can see right through me. How is it possible that the one time I do something like this, everybody knows?
”So…?” He moves his wrist, motioning for me to speak.
My eyes never waver from his. “So what?”
He looks like he is about to bust out laughing while Kyle keeps on coughing into his fist, and I can tell that’s because he’s trying to hold back his laughter as well.
”I’m only asking how you are recovering from the flu,” Owen tells me. “That’s is nothing to joke about. Are you staying hydrated?”
Without even giving me a chance to respond, he turns to look at Kyle.
”Are you taking good care of her? Have you been giving her warm soup and her meds? Enough water? Maybe some Gatorade to go with it?”
I drop my elbows on my knees and rest my face in the palms of my hands while Owen goes into an entire speech about the dangers of untreated flu.
People die from it, he says. No one should take it lightly.
He responded to numerous calls where people had to be picked up by ambulance because they had the flu.
The hospitals are full of people battling the flu.
”Oh my god, shut up!” I jump out of my chair, almost toppling it over.
Owen gives me a look full of innocence. “I just want to make sure that you are taking good care of yourself. After all, you are my only sister.”
I take the few steps needed to get closer to him, then shove my finger right in his face.
”I was not sick with the flu, and you know it!” I straighten back up and open my arms wide. “There! I lied! Are you happy?”
“Why, Zara Marie! I never, as mom would say.”
I stomp my foot on the floor. “I can’t believe what fiasco this turned into. The one time I think I want to do my own thing.”
Owen puts a hand up to interrupt me. “Your own thing is lying abut having the flu? That’s the level of wild you are?”
My lips are pursed, and I am ready to slap him. Instead, I grab the pillow that’s next to him on the couch, and I beat him over the head with it. Owen is laughing so hard, he can’t even stop me. He brings his arms over his head and tries to get away from me, but his entire body is shaking.
I am finally tired and drop the pillow to the floor. A glance in Kyle’s direction shows that he is in the same state of amused disarray as my brother. As I look at it from a purely objective point of view, I have to admit that he is right, and it is funny. I start laughing with them.
”I hate you,” I tell Owen. “And I will figure out a way to get you back.”
He wipes at his eyes, tears of amusement still running down his face.
“I am looking forward to it, sis,” he says. “What are you going to do? Switch my shampoo for shaving cream?”
At the mention of the shaving cream, my face feels like it is instantly on fire. I look at Kyle in the corner of my eye, only to catch him staring back at me with a shit eating grin on his face.
I wait for Owen to calm down, but every so often, he still gets this little burst of laughter that’s shaking his entire body.
”I think you’ve had enough fun at my expense,” I tell him in a haughty tone.
Owen waves me off. “Nah, I could use some more. How about you order us some pizza while I get to know your man better?”
My eyes bug out of my head. “You’re not leaving?”
”You’re trying to get rid of your big brother?” He smirks at me. “Did I interrupt anything important when I got here?” He then points at me. “Oh, that’s right. You were sleeping, which means you two could use a break and eat.”
I cross my arms over my chest and lean back, huffing in annoyance while also well aware that I am losing this battle. Kyle and Owen have moved on to talking about something else by now, and I guess I should order that pizza.
Since I’m not sure where my phone is, I get up to search for it.
Laughter from the living room brings my attention back to the two men sitting in my space.
I never in a million years imagined that one day, my brother would be hanging out with my boyfriend in my house.
I also never imagined that I would have a boyfriend.
It just wasn’t on my to do list. Meeting Kyle changed everything, including me losing my virginity to him.
“Hey!” Owen points at me. “How’s that pizza coming?”
I stick my tongue out at him. “It’s not!”
Once I placed the order, I go back to the guys. They’re laughing their heads off about something, and now I feel like a third wheel. If Kyle is my boyfriend, shouldn’t Owen be the odd one out?
“Oh, dude, I’d love to be a part of this focus group you have!”
The excitement in my brother’s voice brings my attention back to them.
“What focus group?” I ask.
Owen looks at me with his face all lit up. “For Kyle’s games!”
I nod along, pretending like I know what he’s saying, but my mind goes completely blank. When Kyle’s phone goes off, he looks at the screen, then jump up from the chair.
“Let me get this!” He walks around me and right out the door.
“I like your boyfriend,” Owen declares. “He’s cool, funny, and he creates video games. I couldn’t have picked better for you if I tried.”
Ah, that explains the focus group. Kyle creates video games, and he has focus groups for them. This is very unexpected. I don’t know what I thought Kyle did, but I didn’t picture something too successful.
I roll my eyes at Owen. “Well, you didn’t pick for me this time, so there’s that.”
“Zara!”
Kyle’s head pops in through the opening of the door, and he yells my name so loud, you’d think I was at the other end of the street and not only a few feet away from him.
“Do you mind if my friends stop by for a bit? They need to drop something off.”
I have no idea what to say. First, Kyle made himself at home here, then, he befriended my brother, who is not showing any signs of wanting to leave, and now, his friends are apparently stopping by.
“They’re not coming in,” he adds when I don’t respond.
“T-that’s fine.” Owen eyes me funny because I am acting weird about it. “No problem, I promise.”
“Okay, man, I’ll text you her address,” he tells to whoever he’s got on the phone.
He hangs up and claps his hands together before looking at me.
“I’m gonna go sit outside and wait for them.” He doesn’t wait for me to say anything and just walks out.
Owen eyes me thoughtfully. “He didn’t mean to put you on the spot like that. I hope you know that.”
I smile at my brother, grateful that he understands me so well. I’ve always been weird like this about people I don’t know coming to my house.
“I’m really trying,” I tell him.
“Then you must really like him,” he concludes.
The engine of a car pulling into my driveway distracts me from confirming or denying his statement.
“I’m going to go say hi to these people.”
I almost can’t believe the words coming out of my mouth, and Owen is just as surprised. He just nods and pulls his phone out, tapping on it while he waits for us to come back in.
When I step outside, I am surprised to find a couple on my doorsteps. As soon as I come into view, they all stop talking.
“Zara!” Kyle hooks an elbow around my neck and pulls me into him. “Meet my friend Ray.” He points to the make. “And his soon-to-be lovely wife, Hayden.”
The woman is overly enthusiastic when she shakes my hand.
“Oh my goodness,” she gasps. “You are real!”
I look up at Kyle, hoping that he can give me a hint of what this is about.
“Is this your plus one to the wedding?” she asks him.
Kyle puffs his chest with pride. “Sure is. Isn’t she great?”
Hayden, who is still holding on to my hand, gives it a little squeeze. “Thank you,” she says while staring into my eyes. “I am so grateful. And relieved,” she giggles.
Ray pulls her back a little. “Okay, you’re way to excited about this.”
I stare at both of them, amazed by how beautiful they both are. Hayden also has this air of someone who is used to the finest things. She is effortlessly elegant in her moves, very graceful and well mannered.
“Thank you for letting us stop by,” she tells me. “We got a gift for someone, and we can’t go home with it, or it won’t be a surprise anymore. This is really helpful.”
She then turns to look at Kyle. “Please don’t get drunk and decide to get all the gear out.”
Curiosity gets the best of me. “What kind of gear is it?”
“Hockey,” Ray speaks this time. “My father’s girlfriend has a son who plays hockey. I got him a new bag with some new sticks and stuff like that.”
I nod along, but otherwise, I’m not sure how else to participate in the conversation. Awkwardness threatens to choke me, and I wish I never came outside to meet these people.
“Uh, I have to go back in,” I tell them. “It was very nice meeting you both.”
“You as well.” Hayden steps forward and pulls me into a hug. “I’ll see you at the wedding in a couple of weeks. It will be amazing! Everyone is going to be there. We’re a big group of fun!”
With another wave, I finally get back inside. As soon as the door closes behind me, I lean against it and let out a long breath of air.
“That bad, huh?” Owen chuckles as he takes me in.
I walk to the kitchen without responding to his question. There’s a little bit of anxiety settling in my chest. I don’t know that I can handle a big group of fun. It sounds like too much.
What am I going to do?