Chapter Six

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Agreement

Telling Alex about me staying was a worry that distracted us both from the moment beside the fireplace. Now, as James made dinner for us, I couldn't quite figure out how we would share the news.

I was freaking out, obviously, but James didn't even seem a little fazed. As I sat on the couch of the living room, my eyes glanced up to Alex who was starting the fire. It seemed like a struggle, but I wasn't about to get in his way.

Thankfully, Alex and I had graduated to the point of being in the same room together, so that seemed like an improvement.

My nose was deep in a book, more than a little enthralled in it's old stories. They were written by authors I hadn't heard of since middle school, the ones in those small book reports they made the entire class do. The ones that involved reading chapters over and over to analyze every single word.

I thought I hated it. Instead, they felt more like those books your parents read to you as a child. I was just finishing a retelling of Cinderella when James appeared in the doorway, looking at the both of us. When he caught me staring, he changed his curious expression into a smile,

"Seems like you two are bonding greatly without me," Alex, shockingly enough, scoffed as he stood, the fire fully lit behind him as he glanced at me.

"Yes, I just finished braiding her hair as she read fairytales to me." He muttered, his tone reeking of sarcasm. As James frowned, I couldn't help but giggle.

A joke. Maybe Alex... didn't hate me?

He glared at me as well, as if he read my mind, making me reduce it to a small smile. I couldn't help but catch a hint of humor in his eyes. If I had blinked, I probably would've missed it. I stood up, putting the book down where I was sitting,

"If you didn't insist on making food, maybe you could've heard how Cinderella ended." I grinned, before walking past James into the kitchen. I could practically imagine him roll his eyes behind me, walking in after me as Alex followed suit,

"Then I guess I'll have to be there for the next meeting of your book club."

"You most certainly will." I walked over to the sink, washing my hands,

"And Alex will have to join us for its last meeting at least, which will be..." I glanced at James, who was crossing his arms and pretending to think hard, "in exactly two weeks, when your car can finally be towed..?"

A silence spread over the room, entirely triggered by Alex. The calmness he was showing before was stripped away by the news immediately, leaving the distrust to weigh in on our shoulders.

"What?" Alex said, a plate in his hand as I finally brought myself to look at him. I was in the middle of drying my hands, and I realized he wasn't even looking at me. His eyes were on James. I could see the storm brewing in both of their dark eyes, and I couldn't help but jump in, taking a step forward,

"Nothing is... final. I'm staying one more night at least, from recommendation. But, Alex, if it's best, I'll stay at the motel." James took a step forward, our arms brushing against each other and I looked at him. His mouth opened to argue, but I shook my head, "It's a two-people decision. Either both of you agree, or I'm gone."

James sighed, and Alex traveled his eyes from me to his brother before nodding slowly,

"Give me the night to think... but," I raised my eyebrow at the last word, my body standing completely still as I held my breath, "James makes dessert tonight, and I'm ridden of group dishwashing during your stay."

I nod immediately, not even glancing at what James had to say. At most, I hoped he agreed. As Alex went to get food first, I grinned at James, only to find a mixed look on his face.

'That was still a no,' He mouthed, and I rolled my eyes,

'Just be happy,' I huffed slightly a grabbed a plate, before jumping in after Alex and filling it up.

A small victory, but a victory nonetheless.

-

We found ourselves with cookies and milk in front of the fire later on, eyes droopy and terrible posture all taking part in this late night discussion. My book was in between us, still closed because we had gotten distracted.

Alex headed up to shower as soon as we started dishes, and only returned for a few minutes to get the freshly baked cookies. I could see the glare on James face as he took all the good ones, but he held it back anyway. I was thankful, most of all, that this boy would even want me here.

And now, as we took turns creating milk mustaches and the rules of the house were listed off, my stomach fluttered contently.

My eyes stared up at James and his fluffy hair as he spoke, admiring the way it refused to listen to him. He'd run his hand through it every couple of minutes, and I'd have the pleasure of watching it flop back over his forehead, covering up his eyebrows and then some.

He stopped talking, and I only barely snapped out of it, my eyes trailing towards his. The reflection of the fire almost seemed enchanting, lighting up his dark eyes with more than just a flame that kept us both warm. Our legs were crossed, and we faced each other, each of us leaning back on the furniture that made up the living room.

"Why are you really on this trip?" He asked, his voice seeming so surreal as the air itself seemed to flicker around us. His tone, sweet and gentle and had everything that made a warm cup of cocoa perfect. It was just enough to coax me into answering,

"I'm running from... something. My old town, and... well, an old relationship." I sighed, shaking my head, "I, uh, began college right after high school. After a few weeks, I met this guy. He seemed... perfect, and he was, until he convinced me to pause my education and go live with him,"

He nodded, his eyebrows furrowing at the statement,

"And I did. I did it and I hated every moment of it. He was a cop, so obviously much older. I didn't even question why he was in my college in the first place if he was twenty-five. I was only eighteen when I met him, and nineteen when I moved in with him.

"He was... a terrifyingly smart man. He distanced me from everyone. My family, my friends, my own interests, so there would only be time for him. And then he'd leave me for hours while he was at work, and I didn't know who I was anymore."

I closed my eyes, wincing and stopping. I brought I glass of milk to my lips and took a drink, trying to relax once again. I opened them, and found him just... staring. I wanted to reach up and touch my face, wondering what was so interesting to him, but instead I found myself giggling,

"What's up with my face?" I asked, and I could see the panic before he broke out into a breathless laugh. It filled the space between us, and distracted from the blush in his cheeks so well that I joined in. It felt good to laugh. It felt good to relax.

"You, um.. got something," He reached over, his thumb running over my upper lip, swiping away whatever was left there, "There, no more mustachio." I chuckled, nodding and leaning back, closing my eyes,

"He sounds like a dick." I hummed, opening one eye to look at him, before shutting it again,

"He was... um, still is, a dick. I had to get away, and breaking up wasn't as easy as I thought, so I took a road trip." I sat up, picking up a cookie from the coffee table and taking a bite, "No one told me it'd be so fucking lonely though,"

He chuckled at that, glancing behind him at the stairs,

"I understand the loneliness... Alex is a great brother, but, we're just so distant from each other. It's like two lonely people in one house together, who don't even know how to communicate."

I scoffed, reaching over and punching his arm,

"Isn't that what we are? And it seems like we're doing just fine." I could see his eyes soften as the statement, but I just continued, "He's only sixteen, relax, he'll realize how lucky he is to have you in a few years." James held back a respond to that one, simply shaking his head dismissively before finishing his milk. He looked at the fire, and then the window,

"It must be late," He mentioned, bringing one knee up to his chest, "You should head to bed."

I nodded, finishing up my cookie and sitting up,

"You're right, shouldn't you too?"

He glanced at me, before looking at the fire,

"I have some things to do, and this fire won't put itself out."

My eyes widened while I picked up both of our glasses, lingering for a second,

"Oh my god, I must've taken up all you're time today,"

James rolling his eyes and standing up, taking them from my hands without a word as he headed into the kitchen. I could hear his voice, low enough that Alex wouldn't hear but sincere enough to convince me,

"Absolutely not, Colette. You're not a trouble at all, I promise," He appeared in the doorway, leaning on it as he looked at me, "Plus, I'm entirely pleased to make your acquaintance."

I rolled my eyes, standing and crossing my arms as I walked over to him,

"You don't have to be so formal," I nudged his leg with my foot, the corners of my lips tilting up, "We're officially friends, of sorts."

He raised an eyebrow, silently questioning as I answered,

"I mean, we'll probably be full friends when you drive slow on the motorcycle next time."

He chuckled, leaning a bit closer to look at my face,

"Come on, you liked it," He taunted, "I could see the smile on your face when we got here."

I scoffed, deciding to end the conversation with silence. I turned to head up the stairs, getting a few steps up when I heard a small cough from behind me. I turned, finding him holding onto the railing, a nervousness in his eyes.

How come I didn't hear him move at all?

I mentally shrugged it off, watching him as he spoke,

"Goodnight, if you need anything, just knock on my door."

"Same place as yesterday?"

He nodded, winking with a smirk. I couldn't help but smile at his attempt to charm,

"Goodnight, James."

I headed up the stairs, yawning and heading into my room. Just as I was about to close the door, I heard the sound of numbers dialing on the phone. As my door clicked shut, I couldn't help but lean against it, the creak of the basement door sending a chill through the house.

I listened as a less positive James sighed, his voice riddled with something I could only think of as fear or worry,

"Dad... We need to talk."

And then, I heard the door lock itself once again.

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