Chapter 10 - Blair
After the dinner, I really expected Simon to be happy with how well it went. I was even surprised by how well it went. His family is really nice. I got on well with everyone, and they made me feel welcome and comfortable.
So, it’s very confusing when he’s deadly quiet for the whole drive home, and by the time we walk through the front door, he looks like he’s a pack of dynamite ready to explode, and the only thing stopping it from happening is his remaining silent.
Wondering if I should give him space or ask him what’s wrong, I chew nervously at the inside of my cheek. I did what he wanted, as far as I know. If he’s angry, does that mean I did something wrong, and he isn’t planning to stick to our agreement?
My stomach churns as I pluck up the courage to approach the subject.
“Simon?” I say his name cautiously.
“What?” he huffs.
“You haven’t said a word since we left your brother’s place.”
We’re standing in the foyer, the light isn’t on in this room, but it is on in the living room, and it’s casting a soft, warm glow across the floor and around us. When he turns toward me, his face is clouded in half shadow, and his eyes are burning with annoyance.
The anger in his tone catches me off guard. “Seemed like you wanted to stay there rather than come back with me?” he snaps.
Confusion strikes me. “What?” I blurt out.
“It was really obvious how much you liked my brothers. I’ve never seen you smiling that much when you talk to me. You looked relaxed and happy and didn’t once flinch when they stood too close or reached out to touch your arm,” he says with accusation.
My mouth drops open.
“I. I don’t understand,” I mutter. “Are you… jealous?” I ask, even more confused than before.
“It’s hardnotto be when you treat me like I’m someone to be avoided. You act skittish around me and nervous most of the time, then you have an amazing time with some other guys!” he shouts.
“Thoseother guysare your brothers, Simon!” I shout back, caught off guard by this whole argument.
“So, what, that makes no difference. They aren’tyourbrothers. Maybe you married the wrong one, hey?”
I scoff, shaking my head.
But deep down, I know exactly what he’s talking about. And it’s not something I find easy to talk about. Biting at my lip, I sigh heavily.
“I’m not attracted to them, Simon. If that’s what you’re worried about.”
He snorts an annoyed burst of dry laughter.
“You could have fooled me.”
“And they aren’t attracted to me either. They are married,happilyby the looks of things,” I argue.And that is the biggest point right there. I was comfortable around his brothersbecause there was no chance they would try to hit on me. There was zero interest, zero pressure, and zero attraction.
The moment that scenario changes, things get weird for me, and I tense up.
But if I tell Simon that, he’ll want to know why, and I am not ready to tell him anything about my past.
Simon takes a step toward me. “So, what then? You can be relaxed around them because you aren’t attracted to them? It doesn’t make sense, Blair,” he challenges me.
I take a sharp breath in and nervously take a step away from me, backing up against a nearby wall.
He laughs darkly. “Look at you, moving away from me. Where’s the smile you had for my brother?”
“Simon, please, you’re making something out of nothing.”
“Then explain it, Blair, why do you avoid me so much?” he demands, glaring at me.
