Chapter 13

I woke up to the sound of chatter filtering in through my window. Turning to my side, I squinted at the sunlight streaming in.

The light painted a warm, rectangular patch on my wooden floor, the heat causing small, circular waves to ripple across the surface.

Reaching for my phone, I checked the time: 2:37 pm. The white digits stood out against the background picture of me, Hannah, and Andy.

I clicked into Facebook, catching up on the world’s happenings and the latest relationship statuses. It’s a sad reality that I get my news from the same app that tells me who’s dating who.

Then it hit me—I hadn’t updated my profile picture! I scrolled through my photos, selecting the ones we took at that party.

Swipe, swipe, swipe. Nope, nope, hell no, ehhh don’t think so, oh n... oh hang on... maybe? Wait! This is the one!

After adding a filter to make my dress pop and my face stand out, I uploaded the picture. Done! Perfect!

Throwing off my covers, I heard the faint hum of the TV outside my door. I opened it to find Andy, who immediately dropped the remote and rushed over to me.

“Finally! I thought I was going to have to wake you myself! I missed you!”

She threw her arms around me, and I reciprocated the hug. Just then, the bathroom door opened, and out walked Wes, clad only in a towel, his wet hair and chiseled abs on full display.

“What’s going on?” he asked, a hint of caution in his voice. Andy shot him a cheeky grin before turning to me and planting a kiss on my lips. My first girl-on-girl kiss.

I felt her smile against my lips, and I couldn’t help but smile back as she whispered, “Play along,” against my lips. I had no idea what to do.

She cupped my face with one hand, the other playfully grabbing my butt. I squealed a little, causing her to laugh.

I started to kiss her back, returning the playful butt grab. We pulled apart, both of us turning to look at Wes, who stood there, mouth agape.

“Fuck me, that was hot! Do it again.”

Andy sauntered back to the sofa, leaving me standing there, trying to process what had just happened. Wes seemed to be in the same boat.

“Geez, Andy, I knew you missed me, but I didn’t realize how much,” I teased.

“Yeah, girl, I missed you so much! You wanna sleep in my bed tonight?” She shot a teasing glance at Wes, and I couldn’t help but laugh as I joined her on the sofa.

Wes sauntered over, plopping down between us and draping an arm around each of our shoulders.

“You ladies do other things together that I can join in on?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. Andy leaned into his ear, and I followed suit, resting my hand on his thigh.

“Yeah, actually, we do, Wes. We like to... clean each other’s... clothes.”

“And do... the dishes,” I added, giving his thigh a squeeze.

“And help wash each other’s... bedroom floors.”

He groaned in frustration. “You know that’s not funny or cool!” he turned to me, scowling. “You’re getting none of these lips anymore.”

“Fine,” I retorted, standing up and heading back to my room. But before I could close the door, a tanned arm stopped it. Wes sauntered into my room, a cheeky grin on his face.

“I take that back. You can have as many of these lips as you want,” he said, puckering his lips in a clear invitation.

I was tempted, but I decided to stand my ground. “No, no, you said I’m not allowed, so I’m going to respect your wishes,” I said, turning away to hide my laughter.

“Fuck my wishes! Come here!” He lunged at me, lifting me up and tickling me. He threw me onto my bed, continuing his tickle attack until my foot accidentally caught his towel and yanked it off.

“You could’ve just said you wanted me, Alex. I wouldn’t object,” he smirked. I gasped, throwing my hands over my eyes.

“Oh my god, Wes! Put the towel back on!” I demanded, while he just laughed, trying to pry my hands away from my face. I kept my eyes shut tight.

“Ok, ok, it’s on.”

I opened my eyes. “Wes! You asshole! Go and get changed or put it back on!” It was NOT back on! But Jesus! I wouldn’t mind some of—ALEX! Jesus, brother’s best friend!

“I’m not going anywhere until I get my kisses.”

“You’re so needy!”

“I need your kisses.”

“Ok, what’s with you boys needing my kisses?” Shit! That was supposed to stay in my head.

“What?”

“What?” I echoed.

“Who else is after your kisses, Alex?” His tone was a blend of curiosity and seriousness. Oh, Alex, you’ve really done it this time!

After a few moments of silence, I could hear his annoyance in the huff that escaped his lips.

“Knox? But he was just joking around. I know him well enough to know that. And it wasn’t even a real kiss. It was just an xx in a text message.” I kept my eyes shut as I spoke, but it was the truth. I didn’t see it as a big deal.

“Look at me, Alex,” he commanded softly. I opened my eyes to find him gazing down at me.

“Kiss me.” I just stared at him, a smirk slowly spreading across my face. Was he jealous?

“You’re not jealous, are you, Wes?” Before I could finish my sentence, he pressed his lips onto mine, kissing me with a fervor that left no room for doubt. I guess that’s a yes. My hands found their way into his hair, eliciting a moan from him.

Turned on? Check!

“Alex! There’s someone...sexy at the door for you!”

Groaning at the interruption, I pushed myself up from the bed and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. I walked out to the front door of our apartment to find a man standing there.

“Are you Alex?” he asked. I nodded in response.

Wow! He stood in the doorway, clad in a dark blue shirt and jeans, a baseball cap hiding his face while his hair peeked out from underneath. His muscles were practically bursting out of his shirt.

Damn, this guy is hot! His rugged look, accentuated by the stubble on his face, made him even more attractive. He extended his hand for a handshake, and I took it.

Pulling me close to his chest with a bright smile, he introduced himself. “Hi, I’m Travis. It’s nice to meet you.” His grin was infectious, his bright green eyes sparkling.

“Hi, Travis. Nice to meet you too.” I pulled back slightly as his eyes roamed over me.

“I must say, I was expecting a guy, but I’m glad it’s your beautiful self standing in front of me. You go to college here?” I nodded, blushing at his compliment.

“Do you go here too?” I asked, earning a laugh from him.

“You don’t know who I am? That’s a first,” he chuckled.

Wes appeared behind me to shake his hand. “Hey, man! What’s up? Alex, this is Travis McCaul. He plays football for the LA Chargers.” Travis returned the handshake.

“Is she your girl?” he asked Wes cautiously. We both shook our heads in denial. “Well, in that case...” He reached into his back pocket, pulled out his wallet, and began rifling through it.

He pulled out a card and scribbled something on it before handing it to me. “Here, this is my personal cell phone number. We should hang out sometime.” I took the card from him, nodding in agreement.

“Sure, why not?”

“Before I forget, here,” he handed me an envelope adorned with the New York Giants logo.

Knox.

I only know two people who play for that team, Knox and Tyson, my sister’s fiancé. But Tyson wouldn’t be sending me tickets. Well, I presume they’re tickets.

“I hope to see you there on Saturday, supporting me and not Carter. He has enough pretty girls supporting him,” he laughed, and I gave him a tight smile.

I felt a blush creeping up my cheeks under his gaze. He was so good looking. I averted my eyes, looking down at the envelope in my hands.

“Oh, and he told me to give you these too,” he said, handing me a bouquet of blue and green roses that had been sitting on the floor outside. My favorite colors.

“And he also told me to tell you he wants his kisses back, if that makes sense?” I heard a grunt from behind me. I rolled my eyes at Wes, while Travis chuckled.

“Looks like I have a little competition.” Before I could reply, Andy interrupted.

“Alex! What’s 866 divided by 95? I can’t find my calculator!”

“To how many decimal places?” I asked, not taking my eyes off Travis. His eyes were so green! They were mesmerizing, like emeralds under the sunlight.

“Three!”

“9.116.”

Travis raised an eyebrow at me, a mischievous smirk playing on his rugged face. “Beauty and brains. My favorite combo.”

Another grunt came from Wes, causing Travis to laugh.

“Well, it was nice meeting you, Alex. I’ll see you soon. Don’t forget you have my number! So call me anytime.” I waved at him as he turned to leave.

“Bye! It was nice to meet you too, Travis!” I called after him. He sent me a dazzling smile and a wink before disappearing down the hallway. Damn, he’s sexy.

Turning around to find a vase in the kitchen, I heard Andy gasp from where she was sitting at the counter.

“You changed your profile pic? LIKE!” she exclaimed, sounding proud of me.

“What? Let me see.” Wes rushed over to her, peering over her shoulder at the screen.

“Shit...Take it down. Now!”

I shot him a glare as Andy came to my defense. “Hell no! She looks hot, Wes.”

He shook his head, his eyes growing angrier by the second. “That’s the problem! Kyle is going to flip when he sees this!”

As if on cue, my phone began to buzz in my pocket. I reached in to grab it, and sure enough, it was Kyle. I swiped to answer it, and the first thing he said was, “Take that picture down, NOW!”

Well, more like he screamed it through the phone at me. Just then, my phone started to ring again. This time, it was Knox.

I could sense the brewing storm. They were trying to corner me, their voices merging into a single, demanding roar over the phone. Knox was echoing the same sentiment Kyle had just voiced.

“No! I’m not taking it down,” I retorted, my voice booming with defiance.

“Alex...” they warned in unison.

“No, Kyle! I’m not taking it down. You liked Andy’s profile picture! So what’s the difference? We’re wearing practically the same thing!”

“Alex! I’m not asking again! Take it down now! The difference? I liked her pic because Andy is hot! I don’t want guys liking your picture for the same reasons I liked Andy’s. That’s the fucking difference! Is Wes with you?”

“Thanks, Kyle! You’re pretty hot too!” Andy chimed in, her voice teasing.

“Dammit, Alex! I’m on speaker?” Kyle growled.

“Kyle, I’m not taking it down! Leave me alone!”

“Alex! I will pay someone to hack into your account and delete it if you don’t! I will pay good money too! Or I will cause you so much bodily harm you won’t remember your name!”

“Kyle! Don’t fuck with me! You’re talking to a person with two degrees under her belt, one of them being a MASTERS in software engineering and coding.

Think before you threaten me next time because I can do way more damage to you with a computer right now. I’m smarter than you! Not to mention I can destroy the hacker you hire along with ruining you!”

“Damn baby doll, feisty today aren’t we?” Knox added, his voice a low rumble.

“Alex! Take it fucking down! Is Wes there?”

“No! And yes he’s here!”

“Of course he is!” Knox grumbled through the phone.

“Shut the fuck up Knox! Nobody asked you for your opinion,” Wes roared back, causing Andy to look on in shock at their behavior towards each other. Knox had clearly hit the nerve he wanted.

“Saint Wes to the fucking rescue! What’s new?!” Knox retorted, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Will both of you cut it out! Jesus, you two need to stop! You’re fighting too much these days! Fuck! Wes, talk to her and get her to take it down.”

“Kyle, I’m not taking the fucking picture down,” I roared at my brother, glaring at the phone as if it were his face.

“WES, talk to the demon occupying my sister’s body! While you’re at it, call a priest, in case her head starts to spin around or some shit.”

“Sorry, bro! She’s like the antichrist right now. I’m waaaay more scared of her than I am of you right now!”

“Fucking pussy,” Knox muttered, clearly trying to rile Wes up. It was working because Wes grabbed my phone and held it up to his mouth, ready to unleash his wrath on Knox.

“Knox, you fucking asshole! You have a bigger pussy than Alex, you prick.”

“Next time I see you, Avery, I will literally beat the shit out of you! Mark my fucking words! You’re the only pussy here, scared of a little girl.”

“KNOCK IT OFF!” Kyle roared down the line, causing them both to snap their mouths shut. Nothing was scarier than Kyle when he was pissed, well, except maybe me when I was pissed.

“You’re both acting like two teenage girls who are fighting over the same guy! Fucking hell! Don’t talk about my sister like that! Either of you or so help me god!” he defended me.

“Alex, just take the goddamn picture down and upload a different one!” He wasn’t giving up, and neither was I.

“Kyle, I’m not taking the picture down.” I sighed out loud, contemplating my next words. “I’m happy with it, it’s the first time I’ve felt comfortable about myself in years.

I don’t want to go back to square one. To mentally go back years ago, Kyle. You of all people should understand. Please, I don’t want to go back to that. I can’t.”

I started to tear up and choked out the last part. Placing my two elbows on the counter and my face resting on my open palms. Well, that escalated quickly!

I heard a long sigh from my phone, “Sis, please don’t cry. You’re breaking my heart right now, I can’t even comfort you,” he said, his voice filled with concern. I felt two sets of arms around me, offering comfort.

“You know we’re only looking out for you, sis. I love you no matter what.”

“Please don’t cry, baby doll, we didn’t mean to upset you,” they both cooed.

“It’s just my friends are blowing up my phone with calls and texts asking if you’re single and for your number. I can’t handle them looking at you like you’re a piece of meat,” he assured me.

“Like the way you look at girls?” I sassed back.

“Touche, sis! Look, I’m sorry for screaming at you. You can... keep it up if it means that much to you, but... I can assure you that no way in hell am I handing out your number to anyone!” he hesitated to say those words.

“I’m not interested in anyone so it wouldn’t matter, but I could do without the hassle of numerous messages from randoms. So... thanks, bro,” I replied, a soft smile playing on my lips.

“Alright, sis, you know I have your back! I always will. Are we good? Please stop crying.”

“Yeah, I suppose we’re good, Kyle! Thanks.”

“Alright, sis, I gotta go. Love you, and I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

“Love you too, Kyle!” I beamed. Wes walked over to the bathroom while Kyle hung up, but Knox was still on the line.

“Hey, are you ladies still there?”

“Yup,” Andy replied, the “p” popping off her tongue.

“So...I heard Travis swung by today. He hasn’t shut up about you! What happened?” he asked, his voice laced with curiosity.

“Nothing much, really. He just dropped by to hand me an envelope and a bouquet of roses, which are absolutely stunning, by the way. Thanks!” I responded, my cheeks heating up even though he couldn’t see me.

~Why am I blushing? And why did he send them?~

“...And he gave her his number!” Andy interjected, earning a glare from me. Doesn’t she realize she can’t just blurt that out to him—or my brothers? Now I’m doomed to be forever alone.

“He did what?! I swear, I’ll kill him, both on and off the field! If he gives you any trouble, you’ll let me know, right?” he asked, his voice filled with concern.

“Suuuure,” I replied, my tone teasing.

“Alex...” he warned.

“Knox, nothing is going to happen. He doesn’t have my number. He only gave it to me so we could hang out. That’s it, so chill.”

He groaned. “I’ll chill if you two never text each other. I swear, I’ll come after him! His idea of hanging out is NOT the same as yours, baby doll! I can assure you of that!”

“Protective much?” Andy smirked at me.

“Damn right I am! She’s my baby doll, who, by the way, hasn’t given me my kisses back!”

Andy’s head snapped up from her phone to me, her mouth forming the words, “You guys kissed?” I shook my head and mouthed back, “I’ll tell you later.”

“They don’t come easy like the girls you go after,” I teased him, causing him to burst into laughter and Andy to smile.

“I look forward to the challenge, baby doll! But I’ve got to hit the hay, early start for me tomorrow. I’ll talk to you later! Love you!” he mimicked Kyle.

“Goodnight, Knox.”

“Say it back!”

“No!” I laughed at his insistence.

“Say it back, you know you want to,” he teased again.

“Knox, go to sleep already!”

“Not until you say it back to me.”

“Knox, you are so annoying! I will hang up on you.”

“Don’t you dare hang up on me!”

“Why? You were going to a minute ago until you said that!”

“Said what?”

“Love you.”

“Ha! You said it back! Night, baby doll. Sleep well!” And with that, he hung up on me.

“That little shit! He tricked me and had the nerve to hang up on me,” I exclaimed, hands on my hips, while Andy laughed uncontrollably.

“He got you good!”

Wes emerged from the bathroom, plopping down on the sofa and began to flip through the channels.

Andy turned back to me and said, “Ok, spill it. What happened when I left Savannah? I want every single juicy detail.”

I rolled my eyes at her and replied, “I’ll tell you when Wes is gone. It may take a while.”

Nodding, we joined Wes on the sofa and spent the next few hours watching mind-numbing TV until we decided to call it a night.