“Well, you swindled me into coming all the way over here, I might as well finish the job.”
She gasps in mock offense. “I didn’t swindle you!”
I’m chuckling to myself as I unbox the TV, cords, and remote control. I work in silence for a few moments, unplugging the old TV and setting it aside.
“Even if Iwasdating, Harrison has no right to be worried,” Delilah eventually says from beside me. She’s sitting cross legged on the carpet, watching me work.
“I think that’s what big brothers do,” I say. While I have siblings, they’re both brothers, and older. But I can imagine the urge to protect a younger sister if I had one.
“What does he worry about?” I can’t see her face, but I can practically hear the eye roll.
“Some asshole taking advantage of you, probably.” I hoist the new TV out of the box, setting it on the stand, then reach for the cables.
“He thinks I’m that easy to take advantage of?”
“Yeah.” I start plugging things in, and it takes a few seconds for me to notice Delilah’s pointed silence. I brave a glance over my shoulder to see her sporting what can only be described as a pout.
“Doyouthink that?” she presses, narrowing her eyes.
Jesus. Okay. “Uh … I mean …”
Her eyes widen. “You do! Why do you guys think that?” She looks actually shocked.
I lean back with a sigh. Fuck. “Delilah, it’s notthat; it’s that there are assholes in the world.”
“Sure, and I could get struck by lightning tomorrow—what’s your point?”
Suddenly overwhelmed, I run a hand through my hair, frowning.
“I’m just an idiot who doesn’t understand how the world works, is that what Harrison thinks?” Her tone is even, but I can see the hurt in her eyes. How did she get tothatfrom what I said?
“No,” I say quickly. “You’re just a sweet kid. There’s nothing wrong with that, it’s just—”
“I’m not akid,” Delilah snaps. And suddenly she’s standing, twirling around, and I sit there, bewildered on the floor. How the fuck did this conversation get away from me so fast?
She stalks to the kitchenette on the other side of the room, her arms crossed, her face set in a scowl.
“I’m sorry,” I say quickly, standing up. “I didn’t mean to upset you. Harrison is just looking out for you. It’s cause he cares.”
“He’s worried because he thinks I’m a baby who can’t take care of myself,” she says, her voice suddenly quieter, with a bit less bite.
“Well, youarehis baby sister …” I’m still trying to figure out where I went wrong here, what set her off.
Delilah sniffles, a hand moving to brush something off her cheek. Fuck, is shecrying? “Dee,” I start, alarmed. “I didn’t mean—”
“It’s fine, Graham,” she mutters, beelining past me to her bedroom down the hall.
I watch her go in bewilderment, standing alone in the silence of the living room after she slams her door. I blink, then frown. What did I say? What the actual fuck did I do to make Delilahcry? Shewascrying, right? I wrack my brain but come up empty.
Damn Harrison and his stupid phone call with the stupid auto shop receptionist. I turn back to the task at hand. Delilah may be sulking in her room, but I told her I’d help set up her TV, and I’m going to do just that.
It doesn’t take me long to finish plugging everything in, quickly turning it on and making sure the remote works before setting it on a nearby table. I stand, glancing awkwardly down the hallway.
“Delilah?” I call hesitantly. When she doesn’t answer, I tread closer to her closed bedroom door. I press my hand against it. “Dee, whatever I said, I’m sorry. I set up the TV; everything should be working fine.” I pause for a few seconds before adding, “I’ll leave you alone now.”
I cross the apartment, closing the door and heading down the concrete stairs to the parking lot below, still wracking my brain for a clue as to whatever the fuck just happened in there.
I shake my head as I hop into my truck, starting the engine. I’ve never been good at reading women. For me, they’reimpossible to understand. And Harrison can harass me all he wants for it, but if I can’t get through a short interaction with a woman I’ve known pretty much all my life, there’s no chance at me having a stable relationship with one.
