Authors: Karli Perrin
Chapter
Twelve
"You
didn't tell me that it was a party" I said as we stepped into Lukas's flat.
"I
didn't
know
that it was a party." Lucy replied, "I bet Dan had
something to do with it."
"Who's
Dan?" Brody asked.
"Dan the
dickhead" Lucy muttered.
I laughed,
"What she said."
"Want me
to have a quiet word with him?" he asked.
Now it was
Lucy's turn to laugh, "Sounds good to me. April?"
"Stop
trying to get my brother into trouble."
"I like
trouble" Brody replied as we made our way into the kitchen to get some drinks.
I recognised a few people from my classes but couldn't see Lukas anywhere. I
groaned when I spotted Dan walking towards us.
He slapped
Lucy on the ass, making her cheeks turn fire red. "Woop woop, my bitches
have arrived!"
I saw anger
flash across Brody's eyes as he took a step forward, "You must be
Dan."
"Who's
asking?"
"Well
let's just say that I don't take nicely to people calling my sister a
bitch."
"Chill
out, I was only joking."
"I don't
care what you were doing, you still don't get to call her a bitch. Or Lucy for
that matter."
"What's
your problem?"
"You are."
"Well
that's funny because you're in
my
flat, so why don't you just go ahead
and leave?"
Lukas
suddenly appeared at our side, "It's also
my
flat and I want him to
stay, stop being a dick to our guests."
"Whose
side are you on?" Dan asked.
"Isn't
that obvious?"
"Fuck
this" Dan announced as he turned to face me and Lucy, "You know I was
only joking, he needs to chill out."
"And you
need to learn to show some respect" Brody replied.
Dan took a
step backwards before gesturing to some other guys, "Come on, let's get out
of here."
I watched
them leave, thankful that Brody wasn't about to get into a fight.
"I
thought he said a quiet word?" Lucy whispered.
"Trust
me, that was quiet for him."
"Closet
alpha" she muttered.
"There's
no closet about it" I replied.
Brody turned
to Lukas, "Are his parents cops? Or lawyers?"
Lukas
laughed, "Nah, I think they own a cake shop."
He winked at
me, "Just checking, I like to know what I'm getting myself into
beforehand."
"No,
stop it now. No more arguments, no fighting. I mean it, we're guests here."
He held his
hands up in surrender, "Okay, okay."
Lukas
extended his hand, "I'm Lukas, nice to meet you."
Brody cocked
his head to the side, "
The
Lukas?" I rolled my eyes at how dramatic
he was.
Lukas
laughed, "It depends what you've heard."
"I've
heard how you tried to save my sister's life. Seriously, I can't thank you
enough."
"I'd do
it again in a heartbeat."
"Good
man, that's what I like to hear. I feel better knowing that there are people
looking out for her when I'm not around."
"I'll
always be here for her, she knows that."
I smiled as
we made our way over to the sofa.
Brody and
Lukas got on like a house on fire.
Excuse the
pun.
After twenty
minutes of football talk, I stood up, "I'm going to get some fresh
air."
"Want me
to come with you?" Lucy asked.
"No,
stay here, make sure Brody behaves." I needed a few minutes on my own.
Last week, Lukas was lying in a hospital bed fighting for his life and now he
was talking football with my brother. The whole situation was a little
overwhelming. Everything had moved so fast since the fire and I needed time to
get my head around it all.
I sat on the
brick wall outside and looked up at the stars. It always reminded me that there
were much bigger things going on in the world. I was still gazing up at the sky
when Brody sat next to me. "You okay?" he asked, draping his arm
around my shoulders.
"Yeah, I
just needed some air."
"Are you
mad at me for what happened with Dan?"
"No, I
just don't want you causing any trouble."
"I
won't." We were silent for a little while before he turned to face me,
"Lukas is a nice guy."
"He is."
"I can
see how much he cares for you." I nodded. "But you're in love with
someone else..."
"What?"
"I can
read you like a book, how long have you been in love with your tutor?"
I looked
around us, paranoid in case anybody was eavesdropping on our conversation.
Brody stood up, "Walk with me." We began to walk down the street.
"So? What's happening with you and Isaac?"
I took a deep
breath, "I will never speak to you again if you lay a finger on him, I
mean it."
"Calm
down, what do you take me for? I like Isaac."
"You
do?"
"Yeah, he's
a nice guy. It's obvious that he has feelings for you too."
And there was
me thinking that we were doing a good job of hiding our feelings.
Brody smirked,
"Don't disappear together for as long next time." I blushed. "So
come on, what's happening?"
"I met
him on my first day before any of us knew that he was my tutor. The attraction
was instant and we arranged to meet up the day after."
"So what
happened when you found out that he was your tutor?"
"Nothing
happened. Well, Lukas happened. We grew close and..." I shook my head,
"Things happened when they shouldn't have. It was always meant to be
Isaac. I tried to fight it but I couldn't turn my feelings off."
"Does
Lukas know about him?"
"Yes, he
found out the day before the fire."
"And
he's agreed not to say anything?" I nodded. "Then he's a good
friend."
"I know.
We've both made mistakes but I want us to move on."
"So is
that why Isaac's quitting his job at the University? So you two can be
together?"
"Yeah,
it was his decision."
"Are you
ready for the backlash?"
"After
everything that's happened, I don't care about the backlash. I just want to be
with him."
"And
you're one hundred percent sure that he's the one?"
"One
hundred percent, without a shadow of a doubt."
"Then
I'll support you. Just make sure that he treats you right and if he doesn't, let
me know."
I laughed,
"I won't need to but thanks."
"Does
Lucy know?"
"No,
only Lukas and Katie."
"Katie
knows? She's got one hell of a poker face. I was grilling her last week to find
out if you were dating and she didn't say a word."
"That's
what best friends are for."
***
When we got
back to Lucy's a couple of hours later, I felt like a giant weight had been
lifted off my shoulders. Brody took the news about me and Isaac surprisingly
well. Not only that but he actually admitted to liking Isaac which was a pretty
big deal considering he usually hated it when a man even looked at me. Tonight
had also proved that Lukas and I could still be friends. I wanted things to go
back to the way they were before everything got complicated.
Brody yawned
as he walked over to Lucy, "I'm tired, are you coming to bed?"
"
I'm
going to bed, you're on the sofa" she replied.
He crouched
down, "You're sitting on the sofa right now so technically, you're in my
bed. Do you want to go on top or bottom? I'm a fan of both."
Her face
turned beetroot red, "You're such a pig."
"I've
been called worse."
"Brody,
leave her alone" I told him.
He whispered
something to her before standing up and walking into the bathroom. A few
seconds later, I heard the shower running.
"Just
ignore him" I told her.
"Trust
me, I'm trying. The problem is, he's pretty hard to ignore."
Chapter
Thirteen
The next
morning, I decided to call Isaac before getting ready for class.
"Hey beautiful,
I was just thinking about you."
"Hey
smooth talker, I hope they were good thoughts" I replied.
"Of
course."
"Maybe
you could tell me all about them tonight, how does six thirty sound?"
"It sounds
awesome. Are you sure you don't mind leaving Brody?"
"I'll
ask Lucy to keep him entertained."
"I'm
glad that I got to meet him last night."
"He
knows about us" I blurted out.
"Oh,
okay. Did you tell him?"
"No, apparently
we're not very good actors. He asked me last night so I told him the
truth."
"How did
he take it?"
"He's
fine, just don't break my heart or he will kick your ass."
"You
know that I would never break your heart. Does that mean you can both come
round tonight for a family meal?"
"Don't
push your luck."
He laughed,
"So how did last night go?"
"It went
okay, I had a nice time."
"I'm
glad. How's Lukas doing?"
"Better,
he should be back in class soon."
"That's
good, did you get the chance to talk to him?"
I pondered
whether or not to tell him that I went to see him on Monday. But then I didn't want
him to wonder why I hadn't told him straight away.
"April?"
"Um, yeah
a little bit but Brody was doing most of the talking."
"Well
I'm glad that he's doing okay. Look, I've got to go, I'll see you
tonight."
I got dressed
before going in search of coffee. Lucy was sat at the kitchen table reading a
book. "Morning, do you want a coffee?"
She pointed
to her orange juice, "No thanks."
"Where's
Brody?"
She shrugged,
"I haven't seen him."
"Could
you do me a big favour?"
"Sure."
"Could
you keep him entertained for a few hours tonight?"
She sighed,
"Why?"
"I said
that I'd meet one of my friends for a catch up."
"A
boy?"
"You're
getting as bad as him, it's just a friend."
She laughed,
"I'm sure he can look after himself for a few hours."
"I know but
I feel bad leaving him on his own when he's come here to spend time with me.
Maybe you could go and watch a movie or something? It'll keep him out of
trouble. Please?"
"Okay, no
need for the puppy dog eyes."
I grinned,
"Thank you."
"You're
welcome. Oh and before I forget, some post came for you this morning." She
handed me a letter and a parcel.
"Thank
you, are you sure it's okay for me to give this address out until I get my own
place?"
"Of
course, I don't mind at all."
"You're
the best."
I recognised
Katie's handwriting on the parcel straight away. It was probably safer to open
it when I was alone.
***
I was right.
I sat on my
bed and pulled out her note -
"See,
I wasn't joking. Hope you both like it xo"
I was
confused by her cryptic message until I pulled out the contents. Thank god I
didn't open it in front of Lucy after all.
It was a
T-shirt.
A
Team
Isaac
T-shirt.
I burst out
laughing before trying it on. After opening the other letter, I called my crazy
best friend.
"Guess
what I'm wearing?" I asked as soon as she picked up.
"Oh la
la, now I know why Isaac likes you so much."
"I'm
wearing my new T-shirt."
"Oh, well
that's boring. Does that usually get him going? Cos it's not doing much for me.
What are you wearing underneath it?"
I laughed,
"I'm wearing the T-shirt that you sent me."
She whooped,
"I totally forgot about that, do you like it?"
"I love
it. It's a good job I opened it when I was on my own."
"Oh
shit, it's a good job Brody wasn't there."
"Brody
knows about me and Isaac."
"What?!"
she shouted, nearly deafening me.
"Brody
knows, I told him last night."
"Are you
crazy? Brody is
so
gonna kick Isaac's ass."
"No he
won't, he was really supportive."
"Supportive
of kicking Isaac's ass."
"Stop
saying that."
"The
truth hurts."
I laughed,
"Shut up, he was fine about it. He likes Isaac."
"Has he
met him?" she screeched.
"Yep,
last night."
"I don't
speak to you for a day and look what happens. I need details!"
"We went
to the bar for a drink, I introduced Isaac as my tutor."
"So you
didn't tell Brody until afterwards?"
"He
asked me about an hour later when we were at Lukas's place, he suspected
something."
"Um,
rewind!" she shouted. "Why were you at Lukas's?"
"Stop
shouting. Lucy invited us and Brody wanted to go."
"Okay,
you're going to have to text me once an hour from now on. I can't keep up with
your crazy life, you should have your own reality TV show."
"I sit
in class every day, it's not that crazy. Speaking of which, I better head out."
She sighed,
"Just when it was getting good."
I laughed,
"Thanks for my T-shirt. I miss you."
"Miss
you too. Let me know how Isaac is later after Brody kicks his ass."
"Bye
Katie."
"I hope
he doesn't break too many bones."
"Bye."
***
After my
classes had finished, I walked into the flat and was greeted by the sound of an
acoustic guitar. Brody smiled when he saw me but carried on playing. I sat down
next to Lucy, "Oh, how I've missed that sound."
She turned to
face me, "Hey, I didn't hear you come in."
"I'm
stealthy like that. Where did he get the guitar from?"
"It was
my Dads, it was collecting dust in my bedroom."
"That's
nice of you. I hope you know that we won't be getting any sleep from now on, our
neighbours back home always complain because he never shuts up."
"He
never shut up
before
he got the guitar."
We both
laughed, "True."
Brody stopped
playing, "Charming. I'm going to make a start on dinner."
"What's
with all the cooking, Gordon Ramsay?"
He raised his
eyebrow, "Number one, I am miles younger and better looking than Gordon
Ramsay. Number two, I'm not used to a student diet, I can't survive on
noodles."
"Me caveman,
me need protein" Lucy replied.
"I'll
show you what I need later on."
She blushed as
she watched him walk away. "Are you eating with us before you go
out?"
"No, I'm
getting in the shower then heading out. It's really sweet of you to let Brody
use your Dads guitar."
She shrugged,
"You asked me to keep him entertained."
"Well he
won't bother you now that he's got his favourite toy."
"I
thought his bike was his favourite toy?"
"Guitar
then bike."
Brody walked
back into the room, "Actually it's
women
, guitar and then
bike."
***
Half an hour
later, I was dressed to impressed. Lucy wolf whistled when I came out of my
bedroom, "You look lovely, have fun with your
friend.
"
I pointed at
Brody, "Have fun with yours." She rolled her eyes. "Try not to
kill each other while I'm gone."
"I can't
promise anything" she replied.
Brody walked
me to the door before giving me a knowing look, "Stay safe, call me if you
need me."
I groaned,
"Okay Dad, don't wait up."