Rock with Me

“I know you’re a pain in the ass,” I reply with a grin.

“Why did you invite her?” He asks Natalie.

“I like her.” She shrugs and winks at me.

“She likes me more than she likes you,” I tell him smugly.

“No, I guarantee that isn’t true, is it baby?” Luke grabs her from behind and nuzzles his nose in her neck and pushes his pelvis against her ass and this time I do gag.

“God, stop it. There’s a baby present.” I shake my head. “You’re disgusting.”

“He can’t keep his hands off me.” Natalie laughs and points at her still-flat belly. “Hence, baby number two.”

“You do know what causes that, right?” I ask.

“What?” Luke asks innocently.

“I’m so not having this conversation with you.” I shudder violently. “Gross.”

He laughs and we settle into a happy, relaxed evening of good food and conversation. I love my brother more than just about anyone else in the world. I trust him. I can be myself with him, and he loves me back.

And I’ve grown to feel the same about Nat.

I needed this tonight.

When dinner is cleaned up, Nat takes Olivia upstairs for a bath and bed, and Luke hands me a glass of white wine. We’re sitting at the breakfast bar of their really impressive kitchen.

He’s so damn spoiled.

“So, what’s up with you?” he asks.

“Nothing.” I take a sip of the crisp, sweet wine. “What’s up with you?”

I’m not fooling him. He just stares at me for a minute and then takes a sip of his own wine. He runs a hand through his always-messy blonde hair and scratches his head.

“Don’t wanna talk about it?” He asks.

I hate it when he can see through me.

Dumb brother.

And I want to tell him, so badly, about my job and Leo, because I know he’ll understand and listen, but I just can’t.

“Nothing to talk about.”

“Do you need help?” He asks softly, the blue eyes that match mine serious and worried.

“Nope.” I repeat and shake my head.

“You worry me, you know.”

“I thought I was the older sibling.” I wrinkle my nose at him and pat his back. “I’m fine.”

“Okay. I’m here.” He exhales and tugs my ear and then takes another sip of his wine.

“I know.” I’m mortified to feel tears trying to gather in the corners of my eyes, so I quickly change the subject. “So you guys are moving?”

“Yeah, if I can find a place that doesn’t suck.”

“Which means if you can find a place you love more than this one,” I respond with a smirk. “I know you love this house.”

“I do.” He nods thoughtfully and then his eyes turn to the top of the stairs. “I love them more, and we’ll out-grow this house soon.”

“I’m not helping you move. You have too much shit.” I finish my wine and laugh at his scowl.

“Well, it’s a good thing I can afford a moving company.”

“Good thing.” I agree and smile smugly. “But I’ll babysit.”

“You’re just using me for my kid.” He laughs and refills his wine. “Want more?”

“No, I have to go.”

“You’re leaving?” Nat asks as she jogs down the stairs.

“Yeah, your husband is boring me.” I wink at her and pull my jacket and scarf on.

“You’re so charming,” Luke mutters.

“I know.”

I hug them both and head out to my car and feel my phone vibrate in my pocket.

My heart rate picks up at the sight of a text from Leo and I have to remind myself that I don’t get to keep him.

He’s not mine.

I climb in my car, start the ignition and buckle my belt before I check the text, just to prove to myself that I’m not dying to see him again.

Because I am.

Where are you, sunshine?

God, I love it when he calls me sunshine.

I’m out.

Maybe, if I’m less than warm and friendly, he’ll go away.

Can I see you tonight?

Or not.

I do not want to be mean to him, but I can’t see him again. The longer I let a physical relationship progress, the harder it will be to stop seeing him later.

I don’t know how long I’ll be out. I may not come home tonight. You know how it is.

I take a deep breath and shift the car into drive and head toward home. Did I seriously just insinuate that I was with another man while I can still feel the after-effects of having him inside me every time I move?

When I can still practically smell him?

I am not that girl.

My phone chirps with another text and I raise the phone in my shaking hand.

I’ll wait.

He’ll wait?

Okay, if he wants a fight, I’ll give him a fight. Who the hell does he think he is, anyway?

I feel better with my anger simmering to the surface and make the drive home in record time. I park under the building in my spot and take the elevator up to my floor and find Leo leaning against the wall next to my door, his legs crossed at the ankles, reading something on his phone.

He has a plastic bag full of take-out.

“How long have you been here?” I ask as I move past him and unlock my door.

“Not long,” he answers, his voice calm. I refuse to look him in the face.