“Yes. Everything.”
I bite my lip, my gaze drifting from the cool gray of his eyes to the clean line of his nose with that distracting silver hoop, then settling on his mouth. This is dangerous, what I’m feeling—letting it grow when I’m not sure he’s being completely honest with me. But every moment with him, every glance, every touch, pulls me further in.
His lips are so close that it feels like they’re calling to mine. His breath hitches slightly, and the lightness in his stare dims just enough for me to know. This is it. He’s finally going to kiss me.
My heart beats faster as I move in a little more, waiting for him to close the distance, but the door opens, my brother watching us with barely contained disdain. “What’s happening?”
We quickly pull apart. “Your sister is embarrassing herself. I don’t think she should be allowed to play again.”
Ethan snorts. “The pizzas are here.”
“Oh. I got it.” Rafael stands and walks to the door. I’d argue, because I promised I’d pay, but Ethan comes to sit next to me, and when I hand him the controller, he throws a tight smile my way.
No way I’m leaving now.
“Wanna go rob a bank?”
I’m the cool sister. The cool sister he can play video games with. “Sure.”
He turns to the screen. “Cool. Let’s rob a bank.”
I turn to the screen.Cool.He said “Cool.”
The soft glow of the TV flickers across the walls, an old sitcom rerun playing quietly in the background and laugh tracks filling the silence. There’s a half-empty pizza box on the coffee table and cushions scattered across the carpet. The faint scent of pepperoni mingles with the sharp tang of cola.
I glance at Rafael, sprawled on the couch with his eyes closed, his breathing even. He’s been so good, keeping the atmosphere light during dinner, getting my brother to talk about video games, sports, and Formula 1, and somehow involving me in the conversation.
“Why did you say you weren’t together?” Ethan asks.
I glance back at him. He’s perched on the armchair, one socked foot tucked beneath him, a slice of pizza halfway to his mouth.
“Uh, we weren’t when you asked.” My gaze flicks back to Rafael’s sleeping form.
“But you are now?”
“No, I…” I hesitate. “It’s complicated, I guess.”
“Did you DTR yet?”
“What does that mean?”
“Wow, you really are a hundred years old.”
“Hey.”
“Define the relationship. Like whether you’re in a situationship or dating exclusively or—”
Datingexclusively? “Is there another type of dating?”
Ethan laughs, a sharp burst of sound that seems too loud for the quiet room. “So how’s it complicated? Either you’re boyfriend and girlfriend or you’re not.”
I glance at Rafael again. His chest rises and falls steadily, his lashes unmoving. “I guess. But I’ve had… difficulties letting people in. Since Mom and Dad.”
Ethan chews slowly, his gaze fixed on the TV but clearly not watching. “Oh.”
“Did you?” When he just shrugs, I focus on the TV, too. “It’s just, after everything, it’s been really difficult to get attached.”
Ethan finally turns to look at me.
