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After doing my business in the bathroom, head back to my room. I’m still thinking about Darcy when I crawl into bed a few minutes later. I whip out my phone, unable to resist sending her another text. I smirk when I hear the notification ping float through from her room, then the sound of her soft giggling as she reads it.
Me: I know it’s late, but I just wanted to bid you a goodnight.
Darcy: Bid? What are you, an eighteenth-century poet?
Me: I was trying to be a gentleman. Just call me Mr. Darcy. I thought women liked that? Or are you one of those girls who likes assholes?
Darcy: Nope. There’s only enough room for one asshole in my relationships and that’s mine.
Me: Probably why your ad was so successful…
Darcy: Probably. Please tell me your last name isn’t Darcy?
Me: Why? I think Darcy Darcy has a nice ring to it. I’ve heard similar things about your asshole.
Darcy: So, we’re getting married now? Shouldn’t we meet first?
Me: If you insist on us meeting first, then we shall. But for now, I bid you farewell. Goodnight, my fair Darcy.
I smile as her chuckles filter through the thin walls again.
Darcy: Night James.“Mackie.”
I throw my arms around my brother and give him a hug. He groans and struggles out of my grasp, but the smile on his face tells me he loves my attention. I know he looks up to me, probably because I’m that much older than him and I’m because, let’s face it, I’m a really cool guy. How could he not want to be just like his older brother?
“How about you spend the day with me?” I suggest.
“Uh…school?” he reminds me, rolling his eyes.
I roll my eyes right back at him.
It’s Monday already? Where the fuck did Sunday go?
“Like you don’t skip half your classes anyway,” I scoff. “Come on. It’ll be fun. How many days have you skipped this year already?” I add. I nod when he winces. “Exactly. So, one more day isn’t going to make much of a difference, is it?”
He sighs loudly. “Okay, you twisted my arm. What do you want to do?” he asks.
“Whatever you want,” I shrug, slapping him hard on the back. He flinches, then scowls up at me. “We can even go surfing if you want?” I suggest. That gets a smile. “There’s some decent wind around today, so the waves might be good,” I add.
His grin widens. “Surfing sounds great, actually. But are you sure you remember how to do it? I’d hate to feel responsible for you drowning because you’ve turned into a pussy.”
I chuckle. “I’ll be fine. It’s like riding a bike, right?”Apparently, it’s not like riding a bike. Not at all.
Mack laughs hysterically as I face plant into the water for the fifteenth time in a row. I can’t even keep my balance sitting on the damn thing, let alone attempting to stand up. Lucky for me, I don’t care if I look like a fool in front of my little brother. Especially if it’s making him smile.
“Come on, Cam. Pull your shit together,” he teases.
I glower at Mack, who’s paddling on his board a few feet away, heckling me.
“Shut up,” I say, smothering a laugh. “I think I’m doing pretty well, considering I haven’t done this in years,” I add.
“Yeah? Whose fault is that?” Mack taunts. “And no, you’re not doing well. Even by beginner standards, you’re doing shit.” He shakes his head at me. “You call this surfing? You should be ashamed. Lewis could stand on a board better than you are right now.”
“Hey, I've been busy at work,” I protest with a laugh. “Something you wouldn’t understand because you’re twelve. And don't swear at me, you little shithead.”
“Oh, so it’s okay for you to swear but not me?” he says with a chuckle. “That smells like bullshit.”
“I’m more than twice your age, so yes,” I retort.
“Yeah, well I have more than twice your brain cells,” he jeers, splashing water at me “What are you going to do, anyway, tell Dad on me?”
“If I thought it would make a difference, yes,” I reply. “You know, most twelve-year-old’s would have a bit more respect for their older brothers,” I point out.
“Yeah, well, in case you didn't notice, I’m not like most twelve-year-old’s and you’re not much of a brother,” he fires back.
Fucking ouch.
But he’s got me; on both counts.
Mack certainly is one of a kind and thank fuck for that, but he’s right. I haven’t been much of a brother, because I’ve been too focused on my own life. I can use work as an excuse all I want, but both Mack and I know it’s just that. An excuse.
We sit on our boards in silence for a moment, paddling as we wait for the next set of waves. It’s actually really nice out here. It’s both peaceful and quiet. The only sound is the soft rippling of the waves as they lap at our legs. I glance at Mack and smile.
