“I hear you put in your notice today, too. Wow, moving fast to shack up with him, aren’t you.” Shaking her head back and forth, she lets out a grumbled laugh. “Good for you, I’d do the same thing given the situation and your history.” She says with a slight chip on her shoulder. Her words are cold, like her posture. She’s stiff as a board with a not so happy looking Nick. His stance mirrors hers.
I take offense with her attitude, biting my lip. “Look, this is not easy for any of us, I’m doing what I need to do to try to make it better.”
Her annoying roll of her eyes, tells me I’m not going to be happy what she has to say next.
“I get it, okay? I tried to tell myself you both deserve one another, yadda, yadda, yadda. But, it still hurts and I’m trying not to hate you both, but right now I can’t.”
Her shoulders relax, and her eyes are endearing. Finally, she’s admitting her real feelings, about time.
“I know, and I’m sorry,” I say.
I lower my head when she grumbles, and walks by me. She goes to her room and shuts the door. My only thought is to tell Micah the sooner we can move me in the better…for all of our sakes.
Standing outside the little two-story house, Micah shares with Matt, I knock on the door.
“Hey little sis,” Matt says opening the door. “Get in here.”
Matt is the brother I never had. His messy brown hair flops on his forehead, so walking by I mess it up even more.
“Hey sexy, how are ya?”
“Yeah you got that right, all the sexiness went to this brother. Are you sure you don’t want to switch Taylor boys?”
I laugh and punch his arm. Got to love those dimples he has. “Oh, I’m sure, poor ugly Micah. I feel sorry for his hideous looks, I can dump him now.” My attempt at humor has Matt laughing, but Micah is not very amused, judging by the look on his face.
“My girlfriend is so funny, tonight. But seeing you smile is worth it, so make fun of me all you want. Matt, on the other hand, needs to watch his hands when it comes to my very sexy girlfriend.” To make his point Micah stares at his brother.
Holding his hands up, Matt amusingly replies, “Options, I’m giving the girl options.”
“Yeah, well flaunt yourself at another pretty girl, not mine.” Micah side steps Matt to take me into his arms for a hug.
“Ah, thanks baby.” Being wrapped in his arms allows me to take in his cologne, damn… pure heaven.
“Anytime, now give your ugly man a proper kiss.”
His light laugh makes me blush, the idea of his name and ugly in the same sentence…no way. Micah is straight up every girl’s dream guy.
“Not ugly sweetness, just pure male stud muffin.”
“Oh God,” Matt moans, walking away. “You both make me sick, truly it’s not fair. Why can’t I find myself an Elsa?”
Micah and I both agree and say in unison, “You will.”
I’m impressed as I watch both boys making me dinner that consists of spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread, and a salad. Looking at the food makes my mouth water, and I realize just how starved I am.
Sitting at the table, I take a drink of my tea and I envision myself living here. I can’t help but question. “How is this going to work if I move in here, do you think it’s enough room?”
Matt coughs, laughing looking at me surprised. “Micah did not tell you yet?”
“Shut it, Matt.” Micah slams his hand on the table. His eyes are giving his brother a warning glare.
My eyes squint, wondering what is going on now. “Um…no, I don’t understand what you are talking about,” I say gazing at an angry looking Micah staring at his brother.
Great, what now!
I’m arching my eyebrow not sure I’m going to like whatever it is they are hiding from me. I hate surprises, always have.
“Look El,” Micah says lowering his fork. “My dad and I were talking. Here, there’s not a lot of room, it’s only a two bedroom, and we need our privacy.” Clearing his throat, he hesitantly looks at me then at Matt.
Matt winks. “Ah, you think I’m going to cramp your style, bro’?”
“Just want to be able to have El all to myself, and that means wherever I want her… whenever I want her.” He said, with a devil of a smirk on his face.
I give him a piercing gaze to figure out where this is going. “Oh my God, can we just get to the part where you tell me what is going on?”
“Okay,” Micah says holding up his hand. “I was going to ask if you wanted to get a place of our own?”
He says the last part very soft, just waiting to see how I respond to him. I don’t get a chance to think it over as Matt interrupts.
Throwing his head back, Matt lets out a loud chuckle. “Bullshit. Micah, you are so full of it. Let me tell you how it really went, and Micah, you tell me if I’ve got it right. I believe it was more like, Micah put down a down payment on a place and hopes to hell Elsa is going to be okay with it!”
“WHAT!” I’m in shock. It’s one thing to ask and another to go ahead and buy a place.
“And you wonder why I don’t want to live with you any longer?” Micah says to his brother who is smiling from ear to ear, loving to see his brother squirm in the hot seat.
I’m stunned. “Are you serious Micah? You found a place AND put a down payment on a house you only hope I will be okay with?” I question.
Looking at Matt, he has his eyes closed. I’m really praying he did not just blow up Micah’s surprise for me. Micah’s sitting back, arms crossed, and shaking his head. I can see the wheels spinning in his cute little head of his. He’s nervous, and that alone makes me want to laugh.
“Babe, please don’t be mad.” Slowly inching his arms on the table, he holds out a hand. “Come on El, I wanted to surprise you. Matt,” eyeing his brother, Micah takes a swing towards him. “Has a big mouth. I might have to shut for him.”
“Hey,” shouting at Micah. “I’m just keeping it real, bro’. Elsa’s not mad at you. Jesus, do you even know your girlfriend at all? I don’t even need to ask her to know what she is thinking. That is how sure of her I am. I swear I must be more observant than you.”
“Yeah, right. Okay, big man, tell me what she is thinking and she will tell us if you are right.” Micah challenges.
Matt looks at me and winks.
I bit my lip and laugh.
Arms crossed, I’m more than eager to hear what he has to say. “Go ahead Matt, what am I thinking right now.” To be honest, this ought to be good, I squint my eyes just to prepare myself. I have no clue what might slip out of his mouth.
“Okay,” he’s smirking acting like he’s my shrink or something. “You are no doubt nervous, a lot has happened very fast, but you love my brother, so there is no reason not to move in together. Although; while you’re surprised that Micah did this behind your back, you really don’t mind. You are impressed he did this because he did it for you. The love you have for him…well…will let him get away with murder. Need I say more?” Holding up his finger, he cuts me off when I’m about to protest. “But you are somewhat sad with the fact you won’t be living with me because you wanted to catch me in the shower butt ass naked. You are going to miss your chance for a peek at my goods.” The sly fox says as slick as he can. And he sighs just to make me laugh even harder. Smooth talking Matt Taylor is a lady killer, and he’s brought me to tears in a fit of hysterics.
Choking on my water, I have to wipe my eyes and my chin at the same time. Oh gosh, it just felt good to laugh. Only, Matt and I are the only one’s laughing. Serious, Micah is so quiet and moody, and looking at him only makes us laugh harder.
“Very fucking funny,” bringing his attention to me, he raises an eye. “Well my dear, how did he do? Minus the part about seeing him naked, of course. I know you do not wish to see, but just in case you did… do not tell me that.”