‘Jane and Jackson will be renting one, but don’t say anything yet. Jackson’s going to surprise Jane when they go away next month.’
‘My lips are sealed!’ I said as I walked towards the window. The flats overlooked the back of the library’s grounds as the opposite side of the building had sea views, which Theo had reserved for creating the book bar. ‘When do you think I can move in?’
‘Hopefully in a few weeks. We’re using most of the manpower on the bar. I’m glad we decided to incorporate it on this floor with a terrace instead of building it on the roof.’
‘That would’ve been expensive.’
‘Exactly. But there’s still a lot to do with that and the retreat, so no offence, this flat is the lowest priority.’
‘My eardrums say otherwise!’ I laughed. ‘Seriously, bro, I know it’s your place, but when you and Jess are going to pull an all-nighter, I’d be grateful if you could give me a heads-up. Even when I put on headphones I canstillhear you two. It’s extremely uncomfortable to listen to your own brother going at it and I’m finding it very difficult to look Jess in the eye too.’
Theo smirked.
It wasn’t just the sex. It was their general gushiness.
At home, Jess and Theo held hands.Allthe time.
When they were curled up together watching TV on the sofa.
When they walked home from the library.
I’d even seen them holding hands in the kitchen.
It was ridiculous.
And when they weren’t holding hands, they were kissing or ‘making love’.
Theo used to be a love ’em and leave ’em kind of guy like me, but not anymore. Jess was great, but my brother had been totally pussy-whipped.
That’d never be me.
‘Sorry, not sorry,’ Theo chuckled. ‘Having a healthy sex life is a good thing.’
‘No wonder you’re always smiling.’
‘What can I say? I’m in love.’ He grinned like an idiot.
‘I’m happy for you,’ I said. And I meant it.
Just because the whole fairy-tale ending thing wasn’t for me didn’t mean I couldn’t see how it’d benefitted my brother.
‘Thanks. Do you really not want that? To have a partner to share your life with?’ Theo asked.
‘C’mon, bro. This is me you’re talking to!’ I laughed. ‘I’m Big Ben. There’s too many women in the world to enjoy. Why wouldI want to limit myself to just one?’ I walked to a window and started fiddling with the handle. ‘This feels a bit loose.’
‘Don’t change the subject.’ Theo stood beside me and softened his voice. ‘I know you were hurt, but trying to sleep your way through the entire female population won’t help. You’ll just end up feeling disillusioned and numb. And don’t put that bullshit Big Ben bravado stuff on me, I know it’s all a front.’
‘It’s not! That’s who I am!’ I protested.
‘That’s crap and you know it,’ Theo countered. ‘Just think about it. And in the meantime, remember what I said. Don’t mess around with anyone at the library.’
‘That’s a bit hypocritical, isn’t it? You’re with Jess and Jackson’s with Jane.’
‘We’re both in committed relationships, so it’s different. Why? Is there someone on the team you’re interested in dating, seriously? LikeSarah, for example?’ He arched his brow.
‘No way,’ I scoffed. ‘She hates my guts.’
‘I wouldn’t be too sure about that,’ Theo said.
