Part 2 (1/2)
”Well, I appreciate it, Nic.”
Now he's the one who flinches slightly. ”Nic, really?”
Harper laughs. ”It's your name.”
He kisses her cheek. ”You're the only one who calls me Nic. Everyone has always called me Rayne.”
”I like busting your b.a.l.l.s,” I tell him. ”It gives me great pleasure to see you get slightly fl.u.s.tered.”
”Speaking of fl.u.s.tered. What the f.u.c.k did you do to Leo?”
”Absolutely nothing.”
He laughs. ”Maybe that's the problem. The dude needs to get laid.”
”Isn't that what Raven's for?” The remark comes out sounding snarkier than I intend. Or maybe I really am just a complete b.i.t.c.h. Sometimes it's hard to tell.
Nic throws up his hands. ”I don't know what's going on with those three. And I'm not sure I want to know.” He grabs a slice of orange and shoves it in his mouth. ”These are good. Don't juice all of them, okay?”
Harper plays with his chin. ”I'll save a few for you.”
”Did you order the Thai food?”
”Not yet. What does everyone want?”
”Just order what we got last time. I think they'll eat anything.”
”When is Brad coming back?”
”Not until next week. I know he needs to take vacations, but it sucks not having an a.s.sistant for two weeks.”
”Especially when I get to be your pseudo a.s.sistant while he's gone. And speaking of a.s.sistants, Brooke has agreed to be mine.”
Nic nods. ”I know you need the help. Chatter has really taken off.”
When Leo, Xander and Raven come strolling into the kitchen I can't help but notice that Leo still doesn't have a s.h.i.+rt on. At least he's wearing pants, although his jeans are tight-fitting enough to show off his s.e.xy a.s.s.
”Do you ever put on a s.h.i.+rt?” I complain when he sidles right up next to me. He's so close I can feel the heat radiating from his body.
”Not if I don't have to,” he jokes. He shoves his hands deep into the pockets of his jeans. ”Is it bothering you seeing me half naked?”
I shake my head. ”Not at all.” But we both know it's a lie. There's so much heat being generated between us I'm surprised the air conditioning hasn't turned on.
Leave it to Raven to slither right between us. She makes a point of glaring at me with those scary dark eyes of hers. If we were in a fairytale Raven would be a young, evil witch. She's tall and super thin. And she's got the straightest, blackest hair I've ever seen. No one would ever mistake her for being the heroine. She'd definitely be the villain of the story.
”How long are you staying?” She looks me up and down like she's inspecting me.
People rarely intimidate me. Most of the time I'm the one doing the intimidating. But Raven is scary as h.e.l.l.
”I'm not sure,” I manage to croak out.
When she looks at Leo I notice some frost between them that was never there before. I immediately wonder if it has something to do with me.
”What do you want, Brooke?” Harper asks, cellphone to her ear.
”Whatever you're having. I don't care. I'm sure anything you order will be better than the disgusting food in rehab.”
”It won't bother you if I drink, will it?” Raven gives me an evil little smirk.
I shake my head, even though I'm not actually sure. It will probably be h.e.l.l seeing her drink while I can't have a drop. I just don't want to give her the satisfaction of getting to me already.
”Good. Want a beer?” She turns her attention to Leo.
He throws up his palms. ”I'm good.”
Raven places her hands on her hips and glares at him. ”You don't want a beer? Since when?”
He shrugs. ”I just don't feel like having one, okay? Give it a rest.”
”Is this about the boozehound?”
Even though it's an accurate descriptor it still stings.
”That's enough.” Xander steps in and grabs Raven's elbow.
She tries to pull away from him, but he's got a tight hold on her. Xander is taller than Leo, but not quite as muscular. He's also not as dark. His hair is light brown and his eyes are hazel. Unlike his brother Xander is fully clothed.
”Let go of me,” Raven hisses.
Xander slowly shakes his head as he glares at her. To my complete surprise she actually defers to him. That could be a first, at least that I've seen. ”Leo doesn't want to drink. He doesn't have to drink. End of story.”
Raven opens her mouth like she wants to say more, but then thinks better of it and shuts her trap.
I haven't gotten to know Xander very well, but I think we may just get along. He's a lot different than his brother. Leo is brash and over-confident, while Xander exudes more of a quiet strength.
I can't help but laugh when several bars of Always Rayne's biggest hit plays in chimes. ”Let me guess. That's the doorbell.”
Harper rolls her eyes. ”I know it's ridiculous.”
”It's cool,” Nic counters.
”Somebody better answer the door,” Leo suggests. ”I'm starving.”
Two.
Leo ”f.u.c.k, Dude. What did you do that for?” I rub my calf where Xander just kicked me.