Before this year, my brother had been more of an idea rather than an actual person; I hadn’t seen him in six years, and when we spoke on the phone—which was rare—it was stilted and awkward and not at all flowing with any sort of familial bond. It’s not entirely his fault, really. I never knew what to say to him either. With the weight of all our father had done hanging over our heads—having me out of wedlock in secret, dumping me on Ian’s doorstep after my mom died—with the guilt of knowing that I’d practically ruined his life there for a while…it was easy to let myself sink into the background. Easier for everyone, really.
I still haven’t really gotten used to being out in the light.
“Whatcha hiding out here for?” I hear a very familiar, very aggravating voice say from my right. “Afraid you’ll see something in here you won’t be able to forget?”
I crack open one eye, taking in the boyish grin flashing back at me, complete with an all-around-perfect face that might make me swoon if I didn’t know what a shit he was.
Jack Baker is the epitome of a playboy no-no: He’s flirty, flighty, and the definition of a fuckboy—and there’s nothing I like more than wiping that grin off his face. His big brown eyes and shaggy hair of a similar shade might inspire some to trip over themselves, but all I see is my dad in a slightly sweeter package. I’m sure he has a new woman every week, and I’ll be damned if I ever put myself on the roster.
“Nah,” I say back. “Don’t worry. Forgot my microscope. So no danger here.”
He just grins wider, undeterred. The dick. “I love when you talk dirty to me,” he sighs. “But you’d need a telescope, not a microscope.”
I cock my head, my nose wrinkling. “What?”
“Because,” he says, leaning in a little closer, “it’s as big as a planet.”
He steps out into the hall, clad in nothing but his compression gear, which means that I can see every outline of his very cut body, and if I were to look down—which I’mnot—I’m sure I could see ample evidence of his claims.
“God,” I groan. “You really are the worst.”
“I like to think of myself as adorably misunderstood.”
“Whatever helps you sleep at night.”
“So why are you hiding in the hall? Didn’t want to come say hi?”
I shrug. “I’m not even sure I’m supposed to be down here. I get Lila, but I’m…Well. Just trying to keep out of trouble.”
“No one cares,” Jack laughs. “Come say hi.”
“I’m fine here.”
His brow lifts. “You’re extra grumpy-looking today.”
“Yeah, well. I’m sleeping on a shitty twin bed every night, and I’ve got more coursework than I know what to do with. Excuse me if I don’t look camera ready.”
“Oh, don’t worry, you’re still hot.” He cringes. “In an Ian way. I just meant you look tired.”
“I don’t even know how to process what you just said.”
“Well, you’re like, really hot, but you also look a little like Ian. It’s confusing. I mean, I consider myself to be sexually open to anything, but thinking about Ian naked is just weird.”
“Why would you think about Ian naked?”
“Because you look like Ian, and if I thought about you naked, eventually my brain would substitute your face for Ian’s, and that would just be weird for everyone.” He frowns. “Damn it. Now I’m thinking about Ian naked. I’ve seen enough of that in the locker rooms to last a lifetime, thank you very much.”
“God you’re weird,” I tell him. “And don’t think about me naked.”
“I’m not weird, I’mmedicated,” he says. “And sorry, too late.”
“You know that little voice that tells you when you should keep your thoughts to yourself?”
He shakes his head. “Never had one. They don’t make meds strong enough for that, apparently.”
“Are you out here harassing my sister?”
Ian pokes his head out the door, frowning in Jack’s direction.
