Maybe This Time(34)

“I still care about him, Ryan,” she says, her eyes softening. She wait for Ryan to respond, but after he gives her nothing, she turns her back on us and leaves.

“What was that about?” I ask him, pissed that I’m left in the dark again. When he doesn’t reply I storm to the office. Just as I pull the door open, Xander walks out, bumping into me.

“You okay?” I ask gently, lifting my hand to touch his face.

“Fine, Sum,” he says with a smile. I look behind him to Reid, who has a pensive look on his face.

“What happened?” I demand.

“Went to a girl’s house, her ex came over and we got into it,” my brother answers, casual as ever.

“Do we have a first aid kit here?”

“Sis, don’t fuss over me. I’m going home, and I’m fine.” He kisses me on top of my head. “Cute having you worrying about me, though.”

“I'm always worried about you,” I say gently, eyeing his busted lip.

I look at Reid and say, “I’m gonna go home with Xander, okay?”

He frowns, but nods. I walk up to him and kiss him on the cheek. “See you tomorrow?”

“Yeah, I’ll come over and bring you lunch.”

“Sounds good.”

Xander and I go straight home, where I take care of his face and knuckles, and tell him to go to bed. After grumbling and growling at me, he finally listens, and I smile as his bedroom door closes.

I love being a big sister.





Chapter Twelve


After my first class, I sit in the library, going over everything I learnt today. My human biology is a little rusty, and I'm definitely going to be doing a lot of studying.

Someone takes a seat opposite me, which is a little weird considering there are multiple empty tables. I lift my gaze and see it’s a guy who looks to be in his early twenties. He has dark hair and eyes, a strong jaw and high cheekbones. His arms are bulky with muscle, not my type, but I can still appreciate his looks. My lip curving into a slight smile, I turn back down to my books. When I feel his eyes on me, I look up to see him studying me.

“It’s rude to stare,” I whisper, raising an eyebrow.

He tilts his head at me, and I’m curious about the indecision I see flash over his expression. He looks down at his own book and opens it, not saying anything back to me, so I continue with my own work. After an hour, I stand up, flashing a smile before I leave. I get in my car and drive straight to the bar. I have an hour before I start my shift, so I have time to change and sneak in a few kisses with Reid.

Singing along to Paula Deanda’s ‘Easy’, I park my car and hop out, surprised to see Xander standing out the front, watching me. Ever since the fight Xander has been keeping a closer eye on me, and I have no idea why. I walk up to him, grinning as I see him wearing the new T-shirt I bought him.

“You’re wearing it!” I say in greeting.

“Told you I love it, and I meant it.”

“Good. You’re a bit early to start drinking, bro,” I say, stepping up on my tip toes to kiss him on the cheek. I pull my satchel off my shoulder, holding it in my hands.

“Everyone is here,” he says, following me inside. I walk in and beam, because he's right, everyone is here. My dad, Dash, Ryan, Reid and a few of their other friends. Tag is at the bar alone, currently texting on his phone as usual. I say hello to everyone, laughing when Ryan runs up to hug me first.

“What’s the occasion?” I ask Reid as I walk up to him and give him a peck on the lips.

“Got an important fight this weekend, beauty,” he says, watching my face for my reaction.

“Am I invited to this one?” I ask dryly, a little bite in my tone.

“I hope you'll come to every fight from now on,” he says, gripping me by my hips and pulling me down onto his lap. “But you'll have to stay with the guys, not going anywhere alone, you hear me?”

“I’m sure I can manage that.”

“You okay with this?” he asks softly, and I know he means the whole fighting thing.

“Does it matter?” I reply, knowing that it doesn’t. This means something to Reid, and there's no way I’m going to stand in his way. My mother once told me there's no point trying to change a man. Either take him as he is, or find someone who you wouldn’t want to change. This is Reid, and I'll take him as he comes. As long as he doesn’t cheat on me, or anything like that, and he treats me well and we make each other happy, I'll support him. Yes, I'm worried about him getting hurt, but it’s his decision, not mine.

“You know it does,” he says into my throat. I look up and catch my dad watching me, so I quickly push Reid away. Awkward.