Half an hour later, music blasting so loudly it shook the windows, I was on my hands and knees in the bathroom, almost choking on the bleach smell that permeated everything. If Zoe was on her way, I wasn’t going to let her walk into a pig sty. I thought about calling Mum to come and give me a hand but my pride wouldn’t allow it. For some unknown reason, I felt like this was something I had to do myself. Taking my time, I worked methodically, determined not to miss anything. After scrubbing the bath, shower, and toilet, sweat dotted my forehead, but I ignored it. I was on a roll. After being out of town for the better part of a week, the house was looking exactly like you’d expect a bachelor pad to look. Magazines and empty take out boxes scattered everywhere, smelly socks abandoned through the house, and the bathroom sink filled with hair. All in all it was gross. There was no way in hell I was going to let Zoe come home to this.
As the song changed, I couldn’t help but start singing. Loudly. Offspring echoed through the house as I finished up in the bathroom. Replacing the smelly, damp towels, I danced down the hall and tossed them in the machine.
It took the better part of three hours before I collapsed on the patio with a beer. I was exhausted and exalted at the same time. Checking my watch for the eighteenth time in twenty minutes, and knowing that Zoe couldn’t be very far away, I couldn’t hold back the wide smile.
“Seriously, what it is about this chick?” Kane’s voice broke the peaceful silence as he stepped out the back door and slumped into the chair opposite.
“Kane,” I growled, my voice thick with warning.
“Fuck off, Spence. I just came home…to my house, mind you…and I barely recognised it. What the fuck is that smell?”
My frustration was bubbling barely below the surface. Right now Kane seemed like he was on a mission to push every single one of my buttons. “That smell is clean. Not something you’d recognise. By the way, has anyone ever told you you’re a slob?”
“They’ve never said it twice.” He grinned a shit-eating grin that I barely restrained myself from slapping from his face.
Taking a long pull from my beer, I tried to force down my rage. I couldn’t tell if Kane was being a bigger asshole than normal or if I was just more on edge. When he dropped his mud-covered boots in the centre of the table, I lost my shit.
“Get your fucking feet off the table!” I growled menacingly.
“Calm the fuck down, Spencer.”
“Don’t fucking push me.” My jaw was locked tight.
“What is it about this chick? Seriously, Spencer, what makes Zoe so fucking special? I’ve seen you pussy whipped before but this is totally another level. I bet she’s not even putting out, is she?”
“Get the fuck out!” I boomed, jumping to my feet.
“Fuck off, Spencer! You think you’re king shit. News flash hot shot…I live here too.”
“Not any more. Get out. You’ve got a week to get your shit out of my house. We’re done here.”
I’d hadn’t once considered kicking Kane out before but as soon as the words left my mouth I knew it was what I wanted. What I needed. He might have been my twin brother, and he’d always been my best friend, but it was time for us to get some space. Living together and working together was suffocating us. If we didn’t get some distance soon I had no doubt in my mind it would end in a blood bath.
“Fuck you, Spencer!” Kane snarled, his face contorted with rage.
“Just go,” I sighed heavily. I’d had enough. I was more than ready for this conversation to be over.
Without another word, Kane stomped into the house. Finishing my beer, I stayed outside in the sun. I wanted another beer. I needed one, but I wasn’t about to go in and grab it. I’d let Kane get out first.
A minute later that back screen door was almost ripped from its hinges as Kane kicked it open, his duffle bag slung across his shoulder and a beer in his hand. With a satisfied smirk playing on his lips, Kane strode purposefully towards the shed. I watched on in silence as he pushed his bike from the shed and tied down his bag. It took a few attempts before it groaned to life and Kane downed the last of his beer before tossing it in the direction of the bin but coming up short. He zipped his leather jacket up and climbed on before walking the bike across the yard.
As he reached the edge of the driveway, Kane looked back. “You know, Spence, no one has ever come between us. Not ever. Zoe must have bourbon flavoured nipples for you to kick your own brother out.”
Shaking my head, I couldn’t believe how filled with sadness I was. Kane was right. In all our years not one person, man or woman, had ever come between us. Right now, we’d never been further apart.
“I’ll see you around,” I offered, my rage evaporating and loneliness settling it. I didn’t wait for Kane to ride away before heading inside. Part of me couldn’t watch him leave. Fuck, I was turning into a sap. What a pussy. What the fuck was Zoe turning me into?
