“You most certainly are not in my way. Stay as long as you like. I kinda like having you around.” I surprised us both with that confession.
“I…I like being here too,” she replied.
“Well then, since we’re both happy with you being here, why don’t we go find some food, and then I’ll drop you home?”
“You sure I’m not in the way?”
“Elise, you could never be in my way.”
By the time I pulled up outside her apartment, I knew I wasn’t ready to let her go. After she’d calmed down from her mini freak-out, we’d eaten lunch by the pool and laughed until my stomach hurt. When she wasn’t freaking out, Elise was a hell of a lot of fun. Even if most of her jokes were at my expense.
Desperate for this not to end, I blurted out that I wanted to see her again. For ten minutes we sat in the car, ignoring the looks from passers-by, as we tried to find room in our schedules. Playing away had never bothered me before, but then again, I guess I never really had anyone I wanted waiting for me at home before either. Being a nomad had never been an issue. My family were happy with the occasional phone call and a few texts or emails and it was enough. I barely even knew this girl, but I already knew that it’d never be enough. Elise was something different. Something special.
“Wednesday night,” I blurted out.
“Wednesday?”
“You said you had things on Monday and Tuesday. I have training Thursday and fly out Friday morning. I’m not back until Sunday afternoon.”
“What’s wrong with Sunday night then?”
“It’s too far away.”
“Someone’s keen,” Elise taunted, a sly smile dancing on her lips.
“Hopefully I’m not the only one.”
It took a minute before she caved and put me out of my misery. “You’re not. Wednesday it is.”
“Great! I’ll pick you up at seven.”
“I guess you’re not going to tell me where we’re going?” she probed.
“Nice try. But no.” Leaning over, I kissed her chastely. “See you Wednesday.”
Elise unclicked her seatbelt and pushed open the door. “Yeah. Wednesday.”
I waited where I was until she disappeared through the door before turning around and heading home for a very cold shower.
***
I was laying on the lounge, an empty pizza box on the coffee table, and a cold beer in my hand, when my blissfully quiet night was interrupted by a knock at the door before the sound of a stampede echoed off my walls.
“You home, big brother?”
“Wish I wasn’t,” I muttered under my breath. “In here, Ari.”
When she waddled into the lounge room, I almost laughed out loud. I probably would’ve if she hadn’t looked so exhausted and, frankly, a little scary.
“Uncle Luca!” Jake and Rohan bellowed before launching themselves on top of me.
It was the best thing about being an uncle. Wrestling with my nephews. It was almost as much fun as having tea parties with Princess Phoebe, not that I was about to tell the boys that.
By the time they climbed off, we were all panting and exhausted. I’d copped a knee to the kidneys, and I knew I’d be paying for it tomorrow.
Straightening my shirt, I stood up. “So, to what do I owe the pleasure of this surprise visit?” I asked, heading towards the kitchen.
“I just missed my favourite brother.”
