Chapter 10 #2
"Okay," I say, sliding to the edge of my chair, looking at her dead on.
“Look, it’s not impossible, these are just guidelines.
I've put together plenty of submissions for candidates who didn't tick every box. The trick is making yourself undeniable despite the things you’re lacking.
This criteria usually just means they don't want someone too green, and you can prove professional experience other ways — this RA position is one.
Think about what they're actually looking for, and show it.
I've looked at what you've done during your PhD. You've got a lot to work with."
Her face eases, relief smoothing the divot in her forehead that formed when she sat down. Which is my job, providing plans, not platitudes.
We spend almost an hour on her plan. She's sharp, quick to spot the gaps before I point them out, and before long we're both seeing the bigger picture.
"You're better at explaining things than Pollack," she says, sinking back into her chair once we've got a working timeline sketched out.
"Wow, high bar," I say, with a low exhale.
That gets an actual laugh out of her, short and surprised, like she wasn't expecting to laugh around me today.
I know I should leave it there, but when has my judgment ever been good when it comes to Alexia Riley?
Instead I hear myself say, "Busy morning?"
She goes still. "Sorry?"
“It seemed like you had a lot going on this morning. In the bathroom.” I keep my eyes on the folder, like I haven't been turning over the image of the two of them coming out of that bathroom together since I saw it. "Sounded like quite the commotion in there."
Her face colours. For a second I think she'll laugh it off, the way she's brushed off most things lately. Instead, something tightens around her mouth.
"It was a hot water argument. That's all."
"Didn't say it was anything else."
"You didn't have to. I saw your face this morning." She folds her arms, closing herself off, the laugh long forgotten. "You looked at the two of us like we'd committed a crime."
"I was simply observing the two of you coming out of the bathroom looking like that."
"Looking like what?"
“Like something happened."
"No. Stop." She's standing now, folder abandoned on the desk between us. "You don't get to do that. You don't get to look at me like I’m doing something wrong every time I'm in a room with one of them. You did it with Zachary and you're doing it now with Marcus."
“Fine. I believe you that nothing's going on with them. Unless you're trying to tell me there is." Suddenly it's hard to swallow. And breathe. "Or is that what you're trying to tell me?"
“Why would I tell you?” Her eyes narrow. “And while we’re at it, why should it matter if there is something going on with one of them?”
I need to stop talking. Right Now. But I don’t. “Because...I'm looking out for you, Alexi.”
She splutters and smacks her hand on the desk. "I don't need you to do that. I've had one brother my entire life, Rhys, and I certainly didn't move into the house to collect another one."
"Then why are you there?"
"Because you—" she reaches over, the soft scent of floral washing over me, and jabs me in the chest "—told me it was okay if I did." She stands up, and it takes everything in me not to wrench her back. "You said...it was what you wanted." She takes a long breath. "Were you lying?"
"No. I want you there.”
Her whole body stiffens and then she empties her lungs, deflating.
“But, why? So you could keep an eye on me? To play big brother?"
"No, Alexi,” I say again. My voice comes out rougher than I mean it to.
"Trust me. Whatever I am to you, whatever I’m feeling, I promise you it’s not brotherly.
" I let out a shaky breath. "In fact, if your actual brother knew what is going through my mind about you, I can guarantee you that I would not be alive right now. "
She doesn't say anything. Doesn't move, doesn't breathe, her face frozen in shocked by the implication of my words. Then she grabs her things and storms out.
I probably shouldn't have said it but I can't take it back.
And I don't know if I would if I could.
Rhys:
Hey, FYI, I'm swapping rooms with Alexia. I'm going to stay in Leon's room and let her have mine.
Marcus:
Why?
Zachary:
Yeah, why?
Rhys:
Because it's the right thing to do.
Marcus:
So is adopting senior three-legged ferrets with alopecia at the pound, but I don't see you building a sanctuary in the yard.
Are you saying ferrets that need love are lower on your list of right things to do?
Zachary:
…
It's nice of you, Rhys, but not sure it's necessary. Leon's room is big enough and she might feel more comfortable in her brother's room.
Rhys:
What in my room wouldn't be comfortable for her?
Marcus:
I mean, they get a bad rap but they're actually really clean and lovable.
Zachary:
Um... I'm just saying, Leon's room is more personable.
Rhys:
My room has personality.
Zachary:
Sure, the personality of solitary confinement.
Marcus:
Guys, I've gone down a ferret rabbit hole, they can go into a deep sleep, SO DON'T think the ferret is dead! It could just be having a really good dream.
I've had sleeps like that.
Rhys:
I've already packed up what I'll need and I'll switch rooms when we get home from work.
Leon:
That's really cool of you dude, but I'm with Zachary, not sure it's necessary. She is not going to like you being put out of your own room.
And she's really not going to like you touching her stuff. She’s really picky with shit like that. And yet she has no problem going through MY shit.
Another reason not to swap rooms, bro. Seriously.
Rhys:
I'll wait until she's home to switch.
And just trust me, it is necessary.
Marcus:
I think I'm going to get a ferret. It can come to work with me. OMG I’ll get her her own little pink hard hat.
BUT NO ONE BURY HER IF SHE LOOKS DEAD.
Leon:
Why is it so necessary, did something happen?
Is she okay?
Zachary:
Yeah, why are you so weirdly set on this. What happened? She didn't mention anything to me last night.
Rhys:
Just trust me.
You're all going to agree.
Marcus:
I think I'm going to call her Cannoli. Cos they're long like cannolis. Cute, right?
Rhys:
One word: Marcus.
Leon:
What did he do?
Rhys:
Ask him yourself.
Leon:
MARCUS!
Zachary:
MARCUS!!
Marcus:
What?! What are we talking about? And why isn't anyone replying to my ferret messages. Cannoli's going to be a family ferret, you all have to help.
Leon:
WHY the FUCK is Rhys telling us to ask you why switching rooms with my sister is so important?
Marcus:
Oh, probably because he saw us leaving the bathroom together this morning, she was in a towel, I wasn’t.
Leon:
WHAT?
YOU WERE NAKED IN THE BATHROOM WITH MY SISTER?
I’M GONNA FUCKING KILL YOU.
Zachary:
What the hell?
Marcus:
Relax. it's nothing. Bloody hell.
I was FULLY DRESSED. She was taking forever in there and I needed to shave. So I went in while she was showering. No dramas.
Zachary:
…
I second the motion of Rhys switching rooms with Alexia so she has the en suite.
Leon:
Sorry I doubted you.
Rhys:
Yup.
Leon:
Do it again, Marcus, and I’ll saw your crusty, nasty dick off with one of your nail files. Stay away from my sister.
Marcus:
That’s not what a nail file is for.
Leon:
I’ll make it work.
Marcus:
Whatever.
So who's coming with me to the pound to pick up Cannoli?