“Fuck you, Noah!” Connor groans, throwing his controller onto the couch in annoyance. “That’s not fair.”
“Good to see you’re still a sore loser.” I chuckle, placing my controller onto the coffee table in front of me.
“I’m still a sore loser because you two still help each other win. You’re a bunch of cheaters.”
“And you’re an apple eater,” Noah and I call out in unison, making us all laugh.
One time as a kid, Connor said “cheater, cheater apple eater” instead of “cheater, cheater, pumpkin eater.” After that, if Connor ever complained about things not being fair, we’d call him an apple eater as a joke. Noah would get Connor apples as a gag gift sometimes, but my brother loves apples so instead of being annoyed, he thought it was great.
Connor and Noah bicker like an old married couple, and their laughter has me leaning back on the couch, watching the two of them with a smile.
I’m glad I decided to push fear and worry out of my head today. It feels just like old times. I didn’t realize how much I missed the three of us hanging out. We went out for breakfast this morning and then cruised around town in Connor’s truck. When we got home we played Monopoly, made pizzas, and ended the afternoon with way too many rounds of Mario Kart, while eating copious amounts of candy.
Connor suddenly looks at the clock with a weird expression on his face. “Oh, no.”
“What?” I ask.
“I’ve gotta go.”
Noah looks just as confused as I am. “Go where?”
Connor stands up and starts moving towards the bedrooms. “I’ve got a date. I promised I’d get her around six.”
Seriously?
“With who?” A nervous laugh escapes me. I would assume he could have given us more notice.
Or not plan dates while I’m in town for a short visit?
“Nobody you know!” he shouts from his bedroom. “You’ll have to figure out dinner on your own, but I shouldn’t be out past eleven.”
Internal panic starts to take over.
Noah and I will be alone for the first time in years.
Just the two of us.
Both single.
Both wanting.
Shit.
I move down the hallway, standing outside his door. “What’s your angle?” I whisper, hoping Noah can’t hear me.
Connor snickers, peeking his head out the door … the smell of cologne fills my nose. “Aw c’mon Auds, we both know the two of you have been dying for some alone time. So enjoy it.Livea little.”
I purse my lips as he passes me in the hall.
I can hear him say goodbye to Noah, followed by the front door closing. I roll my shoulders back and walk into the kitchen, hoping my false confidence doesn’t falter.
Maybe making dinner will be a good distraction.
Opening the fridge, I scan the food options, trying to ignore that Noah is only a few feet away.
“Whatcha lookin’ for?”
I jump when his voice startles me, my back landing against him. His hand steadies my hip, and I bite my lip to stifle a giggle.
