16. Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Sixteen

Eric

Layla has insisted that she come spend the weekend with Mia at my house. Josh is out of town meeting with a developer that wants to build in Savannah, and she wants to keep Mia company. That shouldn’t piss me off, but it does. I go back to work on Monday, and that doesn’t give me much time left alone with Mia.

No, this is good. I shouldn’t be getting used to the idea of spending my time with her, or even sleeping with her. This weekend will be like a cleanse. No more touching Mia.

I’ll keep my distance and let them have their fun. Maybe I’ll slowly start back up on my work in the barn starting with a small project that won’t put too much stress on my arm. Although, I’ll be risking my secret getting out to Layla if I spend too much time out there while she’s here. She’ll ask questions.

I don’t know why I’ve insisted on not telling my family about my hobby. I think I’ve been so used to the persona that I hide behind that I’d feel too raw exposing them to this. It’s an emotional side of me and I’m not good at showing my emotions.

Mia and Layla decide to cook dinner together in my kitchen and get drunk off several bottles of wine that Mia brought with her. I’ve decided to call up the guys and get the hell out of here. Every time I turn the corner, Mia is there. I can’t even look at her without my body reacting.

It’s pathetic.

I’m at the bar with my brothers an hour later. The music is loud, the people are annoying, and I try to remember why I thought this was a better option.

“So,” Asher says as he wipes his face with a napkin, pushing his plate aside, “are you going to tell us what’s going on with you?”

I take a big sip of my beer before I respond. “What do you mean?”

Asher looks over at Liam and they both smile. “ You asked us to go out. We’re normally dragging your lame ass out of the house. Something’s up if you’re initiating it,” Liam says.

“I just felt like getting out of the house. That’s all,” I lie, avoiding their eyes.

Asher doesn’t miss a beat. “What’s at your house that you’re avoiding? Is there something going on with you and Mia?”

That makes me look up. Him and Liam are smiling. “What makes you say that?”

“Well, for one, you freaked out and made us secure your place like you’re protecting the queen when you found out about Mia’s ex. Add in the fact that you two were making googly eyes at dinner that night. I felt something brewing.”

It’s scary how on the money he is. I don’t say anything back, which in of itself feels like an admission.

“I knew it,” Asher chuckles. “Looks like you missed your chance with her,” he swats Liam on the back of the head, “unless this chump is too chicken shit to actually seal the deal with her.”

Pure hot rage pounds in my chest. “Over my fucking dead body will you ever touch Mia.”

Liam smiles. “Tell me this. Why do you need to escape her company and get out of your house tonight?”

“That is none of your business.”

“Isn’t Layla spending the weekend there to keep her company?” Asher asks.

Liam gives me a pouty lip. “Aw, are you jealous that your sister is stealing time away from your crush?”

I roll my eyes at my brothers, who are both laughing like they made some hilarious joke, which they did not. “At least you make each other laugh,” I mutter to myself then finish the last of my beer.

“All jokes aside,” Asher’s face goes serious. “Are you doing okay?”

For the first time in a long time, I feel this slight urge to talk. To tell them what’s really going on in my head, but I stop myself. I’m not even sure I know the answer to that.

Instead, I shrug my shoulders and pretend like everything is fine.

By the time I get home, I’m worn out from the day. I walk into the kitchen to take some pain medicine for my arm and this throbbing headache that has come on, and am greeted by Mia and Layla who are deep into their second bottle of wine hanging over the counter laughing.

“Hey, you’re back,” Layla pops up enthusiastically. “We were just wondering when you would be back.”

“Oh, yeah? Here I am,” I say as I pop open the bottle.

“You feeling alright?” Mia’s voice echoes behind me etched with concern.

I don’t turn around to answer. Hoping that not looking directly at her will help even though all I want to do at the moment is bury my face into her chest and have her rub my head. It scares the shit out of me that that’s what would make me feel better in this moment.

“I’m fine. Just a headache. I’m gonna turn in early.”

I walk out of the room to Layla shouting at me to feel better. Just as I’m getting to the bottom of the stairs, I feel a warm hand grab mine.

“Hey,” Mia looks at me with concern. “Are you sure you’re okay? You were acting kind of weird all day today. Kind of seemed distant. Is it okay that Layla is spending the weekend?”

“Yeah, it’s fine. Actually, it probably works out for the best.”

Her head falls to the side. “What do you mean?”

“I just think we were heading into dangerous territory. Maybe with my sister here, it can be like a reset button. You can spend the nights with her, and we can go back to having a more platonic relationship.”

Her shoulders sink and she looks away from me, clearing her throat. “I see,” she says as her eyes meet mine again, now filled with moisture. “A platonic relationship. Got it. I hope you feel better, Eric.”

She backs away from me, giving me the space I wanted. But for some reason, I don’t feel relieved. The breath I thought would come easier with the distance is now becoming harder to take.