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“Eastern! Delivering weed is one thing, but that kind of money means only one thing… please don’t tell me you’re delivering speed for that arsehole.”
He doesn’t answer and my heart sinks like a rock. Of course he is.
“For fuck’s sake. If you get caught, they’ll put you away and then what will your mum do?!” I suck on my lip ring, worry coursing through me. Tracy has been a surrogate mum to me, and I love her and Braydon like they’re my own family. I hate to see them struggling but I care about Eastern too… he’s like a brother to me.
You do not kiss a brother like you kissed Eastern.
My cheeks flush at the memory, which I rapidly push aside. Fuck sake, I need to get a grip. He’s afriend. Nothing more.
“Hey, don’t do that,” he says, plastering on a fake smile for me and flicking my lip ring with his finger.
“Do what?” I respond, slapping his hand away, my cheeks colouring. I hope he can’t read my mind, though most days he seems to be able to. That’s what happens when you spend your life growing up together.
“Worry about me getting caught, of course…” he pauses, his gaze raking over my face. “Thatwaswhat you were thinking, wasn’t it, or can’t best friends give a shit about each other anymore?”
“Shut up, arsehole,” I retort, willing the colour to leave my cheeks. “Of course I worry about you. You’re like a brother to me.”
A flash of annoyance ripples across his face before he nods tightly. “Brother, sure.”
“Eastern…” I begin, but he waves his hand, shutting me up. He’s not mentioned the kiss since it happened either. I’m pretty sure he’d rather forget it too.
“Seriously, Asia, you’ve got enough shit on your plate as it is. I’ll be fine. Aren’t I always?” he says with a cocksureness that neither of us really believe.
I breathe out slowly, glad that he isn’t a mind reader and can’t tell how twisted up I am over that hot as hell kiss we shared. The truth is, I care about Eastern a hell of a lot. Hehasbeen like a brother to me. Heisfamily. I spent more time in his house than I did my own growing up. Every time my mum fucked up, I’d run to Tracy, and Eastern would be there to cheer me up. Even when I was dumped in the care of some random foster parent, I’d always end up back at their house, his mum a better mother than mine ever was. Eastern has become someone I rely on, but of late our relationship has shifted from being just friends to something more. Maybe it’s a good thing I’m going away to Oceanside. It’ll put some distance between us.
“Just be careful, okay?” I say, knowing that he’ll go ahead and do it regardless of what I say.
“Careful is my middle name,” he retorts, jumping up on his feet and brushing little specks of ash off his jeans. “You coming back for some grub? Mum’s made tuna pasta bake.”
I look up at him, shading my eyes from the sun that’s still bright despite it being almost six o’clock in the evening. “I love your mum, but I hate her pasta bake. Hard pass.”
Eastern laughs. “Yeah, it’s pretty disgusting. Want me to walk you to the bus stop?” he asks, holding out his hand. I take it, trying not to think too much about the way it feels grasped in mine as he pulls me to my feet.
“Nah. I can manage,” I retort, pulling my hand out of his grasp and folding my arms against my chest. He frowns but doesn’t push it. Eastern understands my need to be independent. Besides, I don’t need anyone to look out for me. I’m a big girl with quite a reputation around our estate. Messing with me is a serious no-no. The last person who did got a cracked rib and a shattered cheekbone.
“Fine. Suit yourself,” he shrugs. “At least come with me to Sasha’s party Saturday night. I could do with some back-up should she start getting needy.”
I burst out laughing. “No way, man. You got yourself into that shit with her, you can get yourself out of it. I warned you she was clingy.”
“Okay, fine. Don’t come as back-up, just come along. You’re leaving me Monday. Figured we could have one last blowout before you go,” he says, scuffing the toe of his shoe on the rooftop. Pretty sure his voice cracked a little with that statement.
“You make it sound like I’ve a choice in the matter. I’m not leaving you, Eastern. Ihaveto go.” My own voice is a little wobbly and I fucking hate it. I refuse to be weak. Sucking in a breath, I give him a light punch on the arm. “Fine. One last blowout. You bring the weed; I’ll bring the booze. Yeah?”
He looks up at me, a wide grin cracking his face. “You’re on.”
“Okay, piss off and go eat that tuna pasta bake. I’ll swing by your place at nine Saturday night.”
“See you then, Alicia,” he responds, dodging my punch and running towards the edge of the roof.
“Asia, dickhead,” I shout out after him, laughter bubbling up my throat.
Half a minute later he’s lowered himself off the side of the garage roof. When he gets halfway down the alleyway, he stops, turning to face me.
“Tell the little carpet demons I’ll be visiting them whilst you’re gone,” he shouts, then without waiting for me to respond, jogs away.
My throat constricts, Eastern always has my back. Visiting my baby brothers for me whilst I’m away and looking out for them is just about the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. I get this sudden tight feeling in my chest at his thoughtfulness. It makes me feel out of sorts, so I shove the feeling aside. Boundaries are being blurred and I know now more than ever that kissing Eastern had been a mistake. Getting close like that only ever fucks things up. I’m not one of those chicks who’d shag and run, that just isn’t me. Besides, I won’t lose him as a friend for a one-night stand. From this moment on, I make a promise to myself to put Eastern well and truly in the friendzone. At least then I know he’ll always take care of my baby brothers when I’m not around to do the same.
Another ten minutes pass before I climb down off the roof, enough time for me to steel myself for my final visit with my brothers before heading off to Oceanside. It’ll be another three months until I see them again at Christmas break, providing I even get through the first term, that is. I’d better make the most of this weekend, because it’s highly unlikely I’ll be doing any partying whilst at the academy. We all know it’s more like a prison than they let on.
