Maybe there is something different about the way Alistair looks at Mom and the way Colter does to me. He’sshared so many unspoken truths in those quiet moments where he doesn’t turn away. I can’t begin to understand it in my mind, but my body sure seems to. I am drawn to him in ways I didn’t think possible on the night we met.
Yet, here we are, and I’m just as surprised as anyone.
“Nonsense.” Alistair waves a hand through the air, the way you would if you wanted to rush someone along. “Your studies are more than exciting. You’ll help shape the future of our world, Lilith. Being humble is all well and good, but this is something to brag about.”
“I’d love to hear more about it.” Colter saunters over to the empty seat next to me.
“Wonderful idea.” Mom jumps to her feet mid-sentence. “And while you two chat, we can fetch drinks.”
“Awfully rude not to give your big brother a hug hello,” Colter says, watching as Mom and Alistair walk out the door. Getting comfortable, he undoes the top button of his suit jacket, and eases into his chair.
“Good thing you’re not my brother for two more days, then.” Not my wittiest retort, but it’ll do.
The corner of his mouth twitches. I can’t tell if he’s fighting off a smile or pushing back annoyance.
“Cute.”
It’s not the answer I expected, but the warm fuzzies hit my tummy regardless.
“Can I ask you something?” I say.
We don’t have much time, and I’m not sure if he’s sticking around when we’re done here, so now’s the best time to do it. If I’m lucky, I’ll get an actual answer. He’s more reserved around our parents, his dad most of all.
“Sure.”
“Where do you disappear to all the time?” I hesitate then to add, “I wouldn’t mind having you around more, y’know? This transition would be a lot easier with someone to talk to.”
Colter turns to the fire. Deep contemplation floods his eyes, and he flexes his neck muscles.
“It’s hard to explain,” he says after a while.
“Try me.” I lean over the armrest, moving a little closer to him. “I’m pretty understanding when I have to be.”
“My work never ends.” He says it like it’s a throwaway comment that’s supposed to both keep the truth concealed and also satisfy my question. “There’s always some fire to put out, or a kitten to save from a tree.”
“Ah, I get it now.” I fight my face to keep from smiling too widely. “I can’t believe I didn’t see it sooner.” He looks at me, frowning. “Why you sneak off in the middle of the night. Have this cool air of stern, billionaire, playboy charm…”
Colter’s stern gaze cracks the more I speak. As if he actually believes I’m about to reveal more about him than I’m supposed to know. And here I was trying to crack a joke.
Curious.
“You’re Batman,” I finish, my voice shaking a lot more than it should, given the playful nature.
The tension that’s mounting on Colter’s face drains away.
“You caught me.” Colter lifts his hands in mock surrender. “But I hope you understand, Lilith, this has to stay between us.”
I move my hand along my lips as if zipping them shut, and motion like I’m locking a door. In the same breath, I wonder about his reaction and the doubt I’ve had about Raymond.
Sure, I asked Colter the question, to see if I could gather anything from it. But instead of reacting poorly, he could’ve lied. Had he saidI’m always at the office, I wouldn’t have thought about it twice. But he didn’t. He became uncomfortable.
Which means… I wish I knew what it means. But maybe digging around when the house is quiet can satisfy my question.
“Your secret’s safe with me,” I say to cast any suspicion he may have away. “But I bet you look hot in those tights.”
Colter’s eyes nearly shoot out of his skull, but the door swings open before he has a chance to respond. Our parents return with a tray full of different drink options. They brought the whole bar with them so that no one walks away unhappy.
Alistair takes our orders, water for me and whiskey for Colter, and pours our drinks himself. Then, when everyone’s thirst is quenched and we’re all sitting down, Colter returns to the same stoic statue he usually is when we’re around them.
